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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2017.

Registration No. 333-217539

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 2

TO

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in Its charter)

 

Cayman Islands   3674   98-1013909

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited

P.O. Box 309

Ugland House

Grand Cayman

KY1-1104

Cayman Islands

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Bruce Goldberg

Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

39870 Eureka Drive

Newark, CA 94560

(510) 623-1231

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Alan F. Denenberg

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

1600 El Camino Real

Menlo Park, CA 94025

 

Tad J. Freese

Latham & Watkins LLP

140 Scott Drive

Menlo Park, CA 94025

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.  ☐

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐                 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐                    

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐                    

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer   ☒  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☒

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated May 22, 2017

PROSPECTUS

 

 

5,300,000 Shares

LOGO

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

Ordinary Shares

 

 

This is the initial public offering of ordinary shares of SMART Global Holdings, Inc. We are offering 5,300,000 of our ordinary shares. No public market currently exists for our ordinary shares.

We have applied to list our ordinary shares on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SGH.” Upon completion of this offering, we will be a “controlled company” as defined in the NASDAQ corporate governance rules of The NASDAQ Global Select Market.

We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements.

We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be between $13.00 and $15.00 per ordinary share.

Investing in our ordinary shares involves risks. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 14 of this prospectus.

 

     Per Share      Total  

Price to the public

   $                   $               

Underwriting discounts and commissions (1)

   $                   $  

Proceeds to us (before expenses)

   $                   $  

 

(1) We refer you to “ Underwriting (Conflict of Interest)” beginning on page 137 of this prospectus for additional information regarding underwriting compensation.

To the extent the underwriters sell more than 5,300,000 ordinary shares in this offering, the underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional 795,000 ordinary shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discount.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed on the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about                     , 2017.

 

 

 

Barclays   Deutsche Bank Securities

 

Jefferies   Stifel

 

 

Needham & Company   Roth Capital Partners

Prospectus dated                     , 2017


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LOGO

 

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS

SSCS SMART SUPPLY CHAIN SERVICES


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Summary

     1  

The Offering

     8  

Summary Consolidated Financial Data and Other Information

     10  

Risk Factors

     14  

Market and Industry Data

     49  

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     50  

Use of Proceeds

     51  

Dividend Policy

     52  

Capitalization

     53  

Dilution

     55  

Selected Consolidated Financial Data and Other Information

     57  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     61  

Business

     84  

Management

     101  

Executive Compensation

     109  

Principal Shareholders

     115  

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

     117  

Description of Share Capital

     122  

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

     130  

Taxation

     133  

Underwriting (Conflict of Interest)

     137  

Legal Matters

     146  

Experts

     146  

Enforcement of Judgments

     147  

Where You Can Find More Information

     148  

Index to Financial Statements

     F-1  

 

 

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to “SMART Global Holdings” or the “Company,” “Registrant,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us” or similar terms refer to SMART Global Holdings, Inc., or SMART Global Holdings, together with its subsidiaries, and, where the context requires, our predecessor entities. We use a 52- to 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Friday in August. Unless the context indicates otherwise, whenever we refer in this prospectus to a particular year, with respect to ourselves, we mean the fiscal year ending in that particular calendar year. Financial information for two of our subsidiaries, SMART Modular Technologies Indústria de Componentes Eletrônicos Ltda., or SMART Brazil, and SMART Modular Technologies do Brasil Indústria e Comércio de Componentes Ltda., or SMART do Brazil, is included in our consolidated financial statements on a one-month lag because their fiscal years begin August 1 and end July 31.

All references herein to the “ real ,” “ reais ” or “R$” are to the Brazilian real . All references herein to “U.S. dollars,” “dollars” or “$” are to U.S. dollars. Solely for the convenience of the reader, we have translated certain amounts in this prospectus from reais into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate as reported by the Banco Central do Brazil as of January 31, 2017 of R$3.127 to $1.00. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at that or at any other exchange rate as of that or any other date. In addition, translations should not be construed as representations that the real amounts represent or have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars as of that or any other date.

 

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We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we may have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We and the underwriters have not authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. Neither we nor the underwriters are making an offer to sell the ordinary shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. This offering is being made in the United States and elsewhere solely on the basis of the information contained in this prospectus. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the ordinary shares. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the date on the front cover of this prospectus.

 

 

Through and including                 , 2017 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

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SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all the information that may be important to you, and we urge you to read this entire prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors,” “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections and our consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements, included elsewhere in this prospectus, before deciding to invest in our ordinary shares.

Our Business

Overview

We are a global leader in specialty memory solutions, serving the electronics industry for over 25 years. As part of our global business, we have established a leading market position, as measured by market share, in Brazil as the largest in-country manufacturer of memory for desktops, notebooks and servers, as well as mobile memory for smartphones. We also have a leading market position worldwide, as measured by revenue, in specialty memory where we work closely with original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, customers to develop memory solutions, which incorporate customer-specific requirements. We believe our customers rely on us as a strategic supplier due to our customer-specific designs, product quality and technical support, our global footprint and, in Brazil, our ability to provide locally manufactured memory products. We also provide customized, integrated supply chain services to certain OEM customers to assist them in the management and execution of their procurement processes. Our global, diversified customer base includes over 250 end customers such as Cisco Systems, Inc., or Cisco, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., or Samsung, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, or HPE, Dell Technologies, or Dell, and LG Electronics Inc., or LG.

Since 2002, when we commenced our operations in Brazil, we have invested over $170 million to build and improve our advanced manufacturing facilities and have assembled and trained a staff of over 480 employees, who comprise many of the leading semiconductor technology professionals in the country. In Brazil, we process imported wafers and cut, package and test them to create memory components used to manufacture modules and other memory and Flash-based products. We are the only company engaged in packaging and test for mobile memory for smartphones in Brazil. We have a strategic, long-term relationship with a global memory wafer supplier that has provided us with a stable source of competitively priced wafers for the Brazilian market and provides our supplier with access to that market through our in-country infrastructure and capabilities.

Our business in Brazil has historically focused on Dynamic Random Access Memory, or DRAM, components and modules for desktops, notebooks and servers, where local content and tax regulations provide substantial financial incentives to our customers to procure locally manufactured memory products, particularly when they are made with locally processed components. We have leveraged our experience and success in these markets to expand into mobile memory, primarily for smartphones, which include embedded multi-media controller, or eMMC, and embedded multi-chip packages, or eMCP, where additional local content requirements and tax incentives have been introduced. During the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, these mobile memory products accounted for 69%, 65% and 29%, respectively, of our net sales in Brazil. Based on expected unit sales for mobile phones in Brazil provided by ITData Consultoria, a Brazilian consulting and market intelligence firm, or ITData Consultoria, taking into account our average selling price of approximately $17.09 per eMCP for mobile memory during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, we believe that the total addressable market for locally produced mobile memory for mobile phones in Brazil will reach approximately $499 million by 2019. We have also demonstrated our ability to service the smartphone market in Brazil as we are now qualified at seven of the top ten mobile vendors in Brazil representing, according to ITData Consultoria, 87% of the mobile phones sold in Brazil in calendar 2016. With the local content requirements for various information technology, or IT, products increasing, we believe that our local manufacturing capabilities

 



 

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provide a valuable and differentiated offering to our OEM customers in Brazil. We also believe that our long-term relationships with many of these customers as the largest supplier of locally manufactured memory products provides us with stability and visibility for our Brazilian business, as well as significant growth prospects.

In our specialty memory solutions business, we offer an extensive portfolio of over 2,000 products, which includes all generations of DRAM, as well as embedded and removable Flash, enterprise memory and hybrid volatile and non-volatile memory solutions. We also offer customized, integrated supply chain services to enable our customers to manage supply chain planning and execution, which reduces costs and increases productivity. Our supply chain services are based on our proprietary software platform that we develop and are integrated with our customers’ respective procurement management systems as well as our suppliers’ distribution management systems.

We believe our close collaboration with customers, customer-specific designs, long-lifecycle solutions and proprietary supply chain services create significant customer attachment, allow us to identify new opportunities for growth and provide us with a high level of relative visibility and stability through macroeconomic cycles. Furthermore, we believe our business has relatively low capital expenditure requirements, and we have been able to leverage a flexible cost structure to maintain generally stable margins throughout market cycles.

Our Industry

We believe that a number of trends are driving the expansion of our market opportunity in Brazil and elsewhere:

Memory continues to be critical to system performance . With the growth in mobility, cloud computing and data intensive applications, the importance of and demand for memory continues to increase. According to IDC Research, Inc., a global technology research and advisory firm, or IDC, worldwide demand for DRAM and NAND Flash memory units will increase by 117% and 358%, respectively, when comparing 2021 to 2016. Memory density also continues to increase. We believe that 8 gigabit, or Gb, die will be the next leading DRAM density, which will drive DRAM bit growth. According to IDC, 8Gb die will account for 40% of worldwide DRAM bit shipments in 2017, up from 7% in 2015. IDC forecasts that 8Gb die will grow rapidly in 2018, with 8Gb die accounting for 49% of worldwide DRAM bit shipments by 2018.

Stabilization of DRAM market. Industry consolidation, increased capital expenditure requirements, continued technology advancements and the shift in new production from DRAM to NAND have stabilized global DRAM supply and pricing in recent years. Furthermore, according to IDC, the top three DRAM suppliers are estimated to have 94% of the worldwide market share in 2016. In addition, an IDC report shows an increase in worldwide DRAM demand being driven by widening applications as usage of DRAM for smartphones is increasing along with worldwide consumption of DRAM for desktops, notebooks and servers. We believe this trend is expected to continue through at least 2021. According to IDC, while DRAM unit consumption is expected to be 117% higher in 2021 than in 2016, worldwide DRAM revenue for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 is expected to be $41.2 billion, $54.6 billion, $47.5 billion, $45.3 billion, $45.5 billion and $44.4 billion, respectively, which is a significant reduction in the historic volatility experienced in the DRAM market.

Flash memory market continues to grow . Flash consumption is driven by the growth in demand for smartphones, solid state drives, or SSDs, for notebooks, servers and cloud computing, and other NAND-based applications. According to IDC, the worldwide NAND market is expected to grow from $31.9 billion in 2016 to $44.6 billion by 2021, representing a 6.9% compound annual growth rate, or CAGR.

Increasing memory demand for smartphones in Brazil . Consumer demand for smartphones in Brazil is expected to grow, supported by the growing middle class, improvement in cellular and wireless infrastructure

 



 

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and current low levels of penetration of mobile devices. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the Brazilian middle class is expected to expand from 41% of the population, or 76 million people, in 2005, to 58% of the population, or 127 million people, by 2025. As a result, smartphone penetration is expected to increase. According to ITData Consultoria, sales of mobile phones in Brazil are expected to reach 53.5 million units in 2018 (a 6.7% increase over 2016) and to grow to 56.0 million units in 2020.

Increasing local content requirements in Brazil and other incentives . Local content requirements have been central to the Brazilian regulatory environment since the 1960s. These regulations are aimed at promoting job creation, sustaining economic growth and increasing the competitiveness of various domestic industries, and have helped enable a significant expansion of the Brazilian middle class. Local content requirements have been instrumental in the development of numerous key industries in Brazil, including automotive, oil and gas, aerospace, healthcare and IT. In the IT industry, government programs have been introduced to incentivize manufacturers to establish and expand their operations in Brazil and to incentivize OEMs to purchase locally manufactured components for their products. Local content requirements for mobile memory products for smartphones increased from 25% in 2015 to 50% in 2017 and is expected to increase to 60% in 2018.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe our core competitive strengths include:

Strong presence in Brazil. We are the largest local manufacturer of DRAM components and DRAM modules for the desktop, notebook and server markets in Brazil as measured by market share. We are also the first company to develop manufacturing capabilities for Flash-based products in Brazil, where we are the leading manufacturer of mobile memory products, such as low power or mobile DRAM, eMMC and eMCP. We benefit from having a first mover advantage in Brazil and understand government initiatives and how to navigate regulatory requirements to benefit our company and our customers. We are the only company engaged in packaging and test for mobile memory for smartphones in Brazil.

Well positioned to benefit from Brazilian local content regulations. Increasing local content requirements help drive our growth strategy in Brazil. Global suppliers of memory components and modules not manufactured in Brazil cannot address the local content purchasing requirements of OEM customers selling products in Brazil. As a result of our infrastructure, scale and capabilities in Brazil, we have a significant advantage in being able to satisfy these local content requirements.

Business model focused on specialized markets and strong customer collaboration. The complexity of applications today requires sophisticated memory solutions with a high degree of specialization and customization to fulfill the requirements of OEMs. In specialty memory, we focus on opportunities in markets that feature products with longer life cycles (typically five to seven years), specialized form factors and customized firmware, which typically require intensive and time consuming qualification processes and create high switching costs for our customers.

Global footprint and delivery network . We are located near many of our largest customers and their manufacturing partners around the world, offering extensive global manufacturing, engineering and supply chain management capabilities. We have three manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Brazil and Malaysia; eight facilities with engineering and research and development operations located in five countries; and employees located in nine countries across the world.

Advanced manufacturing capabilities. We have invested in facilities and processes tailored to meet the exacting demands and specialized requirements of our OEM customers while maintaining a high level of efficiency, quality and productivity.

 



 

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Flexible operating model . We believe our operating model has enabled us to maintain margins that are more stable than those of many of the largest memory manufacturers, as such memory manufacturers own their own semiconductor wafer fabrication facilities, or wafer fabs. As we do not own or operate our own wafer fabs, we have low capital expenditures relative to semiconductor manufacturers. Our business also is characterized by low fixed costs. Both factors have helped us maintain generally stable margins through market cycles.

Ability to manage complex supply chains at scale. We integrate our proprietary supply chain software platform with our customers’ procurement management as well as our suppliers’ distribution management systems to enable supply chain planning and execution, which lowers costs and increases efficiency. We believe this ability to manage complex supply chains at scale helps our customers minimize inventory levels while ensuring timely supply of material.

Proven management team with history of execution . We have an experienced and long-serving senior management team with an average tenure of approximately 18 years. The management team has a successful track record of operating the business through many market cycles and industry changes.

Our Strategy

Our goals are to further strengthen our leadership position in the design, manufacture and supply of specialty memory solutions for leading OEMs and to pursue opportunities for growth in existing and new markets. We are pursuing the following strategies to achieve our goals:

Maintain our existing leadership in Brazil and enhance our manufacturing capabilities. We plan to continue to invest in our Brazilian desktop, notebook and server DRAM businesses to ensure that we are well positioned to maintain our leadership in these markets. We are enhancing our manufacturing capabilities to meet the increasing technological requirements of improved and new generations of DRAM devices needed to address the demand for our memory products manufactured in Brazil.

Capture growing mobile memory market in Brazil. We expect to continue to leverage our experience and success in our desktop, notebook and server DRAM business to capitalize upon high-growth markets for mobile memory. We will seek to grow our market share with OEMs that are currently utilizing imported mobile memory components to manufacture smartphones in Brazil, as local content requirements for mobile memory components, such as eMMC, eMCP and mobile DRAM, have been implemented.

Maintain our leadership in specialty memory . We intend to remain a leader among specialty memory suppliers. We will continue to focus on delivering innovative solutions to help our customers improve functionality, enhance their supply chain, reduce costs and accelerate their time-to-market.

Expand our total addressable market by offering innovative new products and by capitalizing on new market opportunities . We intend to leverage our experience and capabilities to launch new products and expand into new markets. We believe this will allow us to further penetrate our existing customers as well as increase the number of customers that we serve.

Expand our global coverage . Devices and applications using memory are required in every region of the world, requiring OEMs to maintain a global supply chain to meet that demand. In addition to the United States and Brazil, we plan to increase our presence internationally and target new OEM and original design manufacturer, or ODM, customers in Europe and Asia.

Risk Factors

Our business is subject to risks, as discussed more fully in the section entitled “Risk Factors.” You should carefully consider all of the risks discussed in the “Risk Factors” section before investing in our ordinary shares.

 



 

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The following risks, which are described more fully in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition, which could cause a decrease in the price of our ordinary shares and result in a loss of all or a portion of your investment:

 

   

we have experienced losses in the past and may experience losses in the future;

 

   

our operating results fluctuate from quarter to quarter and are unpredictable;

 

   

we depend on the desktop, notebook, server and smartphone markets in Brazil, which have in the past, and could again in the future, stop growing or contract;

 

   

the markets in which we compete have been highly cyclical and have experienced severe downturns;

 

   

declines in memory component prices and average selling prices may cause declines in our net sales and gross profit;

 

   

worldwide economic and political conditions as well as other factors may adversely affect our operations and cause fluctuations in the demand for our products;

 

   

our success in Brazil depends partly on the continuing existence of local content requirements for electronics products;

 

   

a significant portion of our net sales depends on the continuing existence of, and demand from, a limited number of key customers; and

 

   

the amount of corporate income and excise and import taxes we pay may increase significantly if tax incentives or tax holiday arrangements in Brazil or Malaysia are discontinued or if our interpretations and assumptions with respect to such tax incentives or tax holiday arrangements are incorrect.

Our History

Our business was originally founded in 1988 as SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., or SMART Modular, which became a publicly traded company in 1995. In 1999, SMART Modular was acquired by Solectron Corporation, or Solectron, and operated as its subsidiary. In 2004, a group of private equity investors acquired our business from Solectron, and we began to operate our business as an independent company, SMART Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc., or SMART Worldwide. SMART Worldwide became a publicly traded company in 2006 and operated independently until substantially all of its equity interests were acquired by investment funds affiliated with Silver Lake Partners and Silver Lake Sumeru, or collectively, Silver Lake, in August 2011, which we refer to as the Acquisition. Following the Acquisition, SMART Worldwide, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of SMART Global Holdings, repositioned its business and began to operate as two business units: a business unit focused on the design, manufacture and sale of specialty memory products and services, and a business unit focused on Flash, or solid state, storage products, which we refer to as the Storage Business, substantially all of which we sold to SanDisk Corporation, or SanDisk, in August 2013.

Our Principal Investors

Upon completion of this offering, investment funds affiliated with Silver Lake will beneficially own approximately 62% of our outstanding ordinary shares, or approximately 59% if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option to purchase additional ordinary shares in full. In anticipation of this offering, we will enter into a new shareholder agreement, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Sponsor Shareholder Agreement, with Silver Lake, pursuant to which Silver Lake will have the right to nominate members of our board of directors as described in “Management—Board of Directors.” The Sponsor Shareholder Agreement will further provide that, for so long as Silver Lake collectively owns ordinary shares in an amount equal to or greater than 25% of our ordinary shares outstanding immediately following this offering, in addition to the approval of

 



 

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our board of directors, the approval of Silver Lake will be required for certain corporate actions such as change in control transactions, acquisitions with a value in excess of $5 million and any material change in the nature of the business conducted by us or our subsidiaries. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Sponsor Shareholder Agreement.”

Silver Lake is a global investment firm focused on the technology, technology-enabled and related growth industries with offices in Silicon Valley, New York, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo. Silver Lake was founded in 1999 and has over $24 billion in combined assets under management and committed capital across its large-cap private equity, middle-market private equity, growth equity and credit investment strategies.

Reverse Share Split

Our shareholders approved a 1-for-3 reverse share split of our share capital, which was effected on May 5, 2017. All references to ordinary shares, options to purchase ordinary shares, restricted stock units, or RSUs, share data, per share data, warrants, preferred shares and related information have been retroactively adjusted where applicable in this prospectus to reflect the reverse share split of our share capital as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.

Corporate Information

Our address in the Cayman Islands is c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited, P.O. Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. Our U.S. principal executive offices are located at 39870 Eureka Drive, Newark, California 94560. Our telephone number at this address is (510) 623-1231. Our principal website is http://www.smartm.com. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus.

SMART Global Holdings, SMART Modular Technologies, SMART, the SMART logo and our other trademarks or service marks appearing in this prospectus are our property. Trade names, trademarks and service marks of other companies appearing in this prospectus are the property of the respective holders.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

As a company with less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other obligations that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These reduced obligations include:

 

   

a requirement to have only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations disclosure; and

 

   

an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

We may take advantage of these provisions for up to five years or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenue, have more than $700 million in market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates or issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period. We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these reduced burdens. We have taken advantage of many of these reduced reporting burdens in this prospectus, and intend to do so in future filings. As a result, the information that we provide shareholders may be different than you might get from other public companies in which you hold equity.

 

 



 

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The JOBS Act permits an “emerging growth company” like us to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. We are irrevocably electing to “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted.

 



 

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THE OFFERING

This summary highlights information presented in greater detail elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our ordinary shares. You should carefully read this entire prospectus before investing in our ordinary shares including “Risk Factors” and our consolidated financial statements.

 

Ordinary shares offered by us

5,300,000 shares (or 6,095,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option to purchase additional shares in full)

 

Ordinary shares to be outstanding immediately after this offering

20,708,177 shares (or 21,503,177 shares if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option to purchase additional shares in full)

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the offering will be approximately $66.6 million (or approximately $77.0 million, if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option to purchase additional shares in full), assuming an initial public offering price of $14.00 per ordinary share, the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus. We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of our outstanding indebtedness.

 

  See “Use of Proceeds” for more information.

 

Listing

We have applied to list our ordinary shares on The NASDAQ Global Select Market, or NASDAQ, under the symbol “SGH”.

 

Conflict of Interest

Because an affiliate of Barclays Capital Inc. will receive 5% or more of the net proceeds of this offering due to the use of the proceeds to repay a portion of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement (as defined below), Barclays Capital Inc. is deemed to have a “conflict of interest” within the meaning of Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA. Accordingly, this offering will be conducted in accordance with Rule 5121, which requires, among other things, that a “qualified independent underwriter” participate in the preparation of, and exercise the usual standards of “due diligence” with respect to, the registration statement and this prospectus. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. has agreed to act as a qualified independent underwriter for this offering and to undertake the legal responsibilities and liabilities of an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, specifically including those inherent in Section 11 thereof. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. will not receive any additional fees for serving as a qualified independent underwriter in connection with this offering. We have agreed to indemnify Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. against liabilities incurred in connection with acting as a qualified independent underwriter, including liabilities under the Securities Act. See “Underwriting (Conflict of Interest)—Conflict of Interest.”

 



 

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Risk factors

See “Risk Factors” and the other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should consider before deciding to invest in our ordinary shares.

The number of our ordinary shares that will be outstanding after this offering is based on 15,408,177 ordinary shares outstanding as of February 24, 2017 (including 1,537,855 ordinary shares, assuming the net exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase 1,541,143 ordinary shares with an exercise price of $0.03 per share issued to our term loan lenders in November 2016, or the First Tranche Warrants, which will be deemed net exercised upon the completion of this offering if not previously exercised) and, as of that date:

 

   

excludes 1,474,807 ordinary shares subject to outstanding options, with a weighted-average exercise price of $10.74 per share;

 

   

excludes 493,316 ordinary shares subject to RSUs;

 

   

excludes 8,099,219 ordinary shares reserved for future issuance under our SMART Global Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Share Incentive Plan, or the SGH Plan; and

 

   

excludes 1,926,428 ordinary shares subject to outstanding warrants with an exercise price of $0.03 per share issued to our term loan lenders in November 2016 and amended in April 2017, or the Second Tranche Warrants, which only become exercisable if there are balances outstanding under our existing term loans on November 5, 2017.

Unless otherwise indicated, all information contained in this prospectus assumes:

 

   

a 1-for-3 reverse share split of our share capital that was effected on May 5, 2017;

 

   

no exercise by the underwriters of their overallotment option to purchase up to 795,000 additional ordinary shares; and

 

   

the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association which will occur prior to the closing of this offering.

 



 

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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

The summary consolidated statement of operations and balance sheet data for the years ended and as of August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015 presented below are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected consolidated statement of operations data for the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of February 24, 2017 have been derived from our unaudited consolidated interim financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus, which, in the opinion of our management, includes all adjustments necessary to present fairly our results of operations and financial condition at the dates and for the periods presented. The results for the six months ended February 24, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that you should expect for the entire year ending August 25, 2017 or any other period.

We maintain our books and records in U.S. dollars and prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP.

This financial information should be read in conjunction with “Selected Consolidated Financial Data and Other Information,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 
     (in thousands, other than per share data)  

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

        

Net sales

   $ 331,298     $ 238,613     $ 534,423     $ 643,469  

Cost of sales (1)

     264,431       192,169       427,491       512,032  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     66,867       46,444       106,932       131,437  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development (1) (2)

     19,645       18,096       38,116       43,741  

Selling, general and administrative (1) (2)

     31,844       28,283       57,495       89,233  

Management advisory fees

     2,000       2,001       4,001       4,030  

Restructuring

     457       1,015       1,135       1,143  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     53,946       49,395       100,747       138,147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

     12,921       (2,951     6,185       (6,710

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense, net

     (14,778     (12,939     (25,575     (27,560

Other income (expense), net

     (902     (1,372     1,874       (5,532
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense

     (15,680     (14,311     (23,701     (33,092
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (2,759     (17,262     (17,516     (39,802

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     2,785       (108     2,444       6,649  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (5,544   $ (17,154   $ (19,960   $ (46,451
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

   $ (0.40   $ (1.24   $ (1.44   $ (3.36
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share

     13,870       13,834       13,841       13,833  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 



 

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(1) Includes share-based compensation expense as follows:

 

Cost of sales

   $     268      $     236      $     461      $     771  

Research and development

     445        382        725        844  

Selling, general and administrative

     1,431        1,405        2,686        4,517  

 

(2) Includes amortization of intangible assets expense as follows:

 

Research and development

   $ 2,448      $ 2,448      $ 4,897      $   6,160  

Selling, general and administrative

     3,522        4,170        8,471        24,669  

 

     Six Months Ended      Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
     February 26,
2016
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Other Financial Data:

           

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

   $ 38,240      $ 18,105      $ 51,760      $ 55,762  

Gross billings to customers (2)

   $ 733,686      $ 1,024,527      $ 1,925,047      $ 2,147,437  

Days sales outstanding (DSO) (3)

     34        24        27        31  

Inventory turns (4)

     10        20        18        15  

Days payable outstanding (DPO) (5)

     50        44        40        51  

 

(1) We define Adjusted EBITDA as our net income (loss) adjusted to exclude share-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets, interest income (expense), provision for (benefit from) income taxes, depreciation and other adjustments. We have provided a reconciliation below of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

We have included Adjusted EBITDA in this prospectus because it is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends, to prepare and approve our annual budget and to develop short-term and long-term operational and compensation plans. In particular, the exclusion of certain non-cash, non-recurring or infrequent expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA can provide useful measures for period-to-period comparisons of our core business. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors.

Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider this measure in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not consider the cost of equity-based compensation, which is an ongoing expense for us;

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital past expenditures and future requirements for replacements or for new capital expenditures;

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us; and

 

   

other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure.

 



 

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Because of these limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA along with other financial performance measures, including various cash flow metrics, net income (loss) and our other U.S. GAAP results. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) is provided below:

 

     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
         2017        
    February 26,
         2016        
    August 26,
        2016         
    August 28,
        2015         
 
     (in thousands)  

Net loss

   $ (5,544   $ (17,154   $ (19,960   $ (46,451

Share-based compensation expense

     2,144       2,023       3,872       6,132  

Amortization of intangible assets

     5,970       6,618       13,368       30,829  

Interest expense, net

     14,778       12,939       25,575       27,560  

Provision for (benefit from) income tax

     2,785       (108     2,444       6,649  

Depreciation

     11,583       9,063       18,111       19,315  

Management advisory fees

     2,000       2,001       4,001       4,030  

Debt extension and extinguishment costs*

     3,130       —         —         —    

Restructuring

     457       1,015       1,135       1,143  

In-process research and development charge

     —         —         —         1,582  

Write-off of public offering expenses

     —         —         —         4,388  

Special retention bonuses

     25       1,013       1,611       123  

Storage sale-related legal costs

     —         —         —         987  

Valuation adjustment related to prepaid state value-added taxes

     —         —         908       —    

Investment advisory fees

     540       —         —         —    

Insurance settlement related to a fiscal 2013 claim

     —         —         —         (525

Obsolete inventory related to restructuring

     372       —         —         —    

Misappropriated product shipment

     —         695       695       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 38,240     $ 18,105     $ 51,760     $ 55,762  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  * Debt extension costs consist of $1.7 million associated with the amendment of our senior secured term loan and revolving credit facility in November 2016 and debt extinguishment costs represent a $1.4 million loss on a February 2017 extinguishment.

 

(2) Gross billings to customers consists of product net sales and our gross billings for services. We provide procurement, logistics, inventory management, kitting or packaging services for certain customers. We account for sales from these services on an agency basis (that is, we recognize the fees associated with serving as an agent with no associated cost of sales). We recognize revenue for these arrangements as service revenue, which is determined as a fee for services based on material procurement costs. See Note 1(d) to our consolidated financial statements.
(3) We calculate days sales outstanding as (i) accounts receivable outstanding as of the period end divided by (ii) gross billings to customers for the period divided by the number of days in the period.
(4) We calculate inventory turns as (i) cost of sales plus cost of purchased materials—service for the period, on an annualized basis ( i.e. , multiplied by four and then divided by the number of quarters in the period) divided by (ii) inventory as of the period end.

 



 

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(5) We calculate days payables outstanding as (i) accounts payable outstanding as of the period end divided by (ii) (x) cost of sales plus cost of purchased materials—service for the period divided by (y) the number of days in the period.

 

     As of February 24, 2017  
     Actual      As  Adjusted (1)(2)  
     (in thousands)  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 23,341      $ 23,341  

Working capital

     94,359        94,359  

Total assets

     440,937        440,937  

Long-term debt

     202,744        136,118  

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

     20,708        87,334  

 

(1) As adjusted amounts give effect to the issuance and sale of 5,300,000 ordinary shares by us in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $14.00 per ordinary share, the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and giving effect to the application of the net proceeds of the offering as set forth in “Use of Proceeds.”

 

(2) Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial offering price of $14.00 per ordinary share, the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease the amount of long-term debt to be repaid with the net proceeds of the offering and our total shareholders’ equity by $4.9 million, assuming the number of shares to be sold by us in this offering remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1,000,000 shares in the number of ordinary shares offered by us would increase or decrease the amount of long-term debt to be repaid with the net proceeds of the offering and the total shareholders’ equity by $13.0 million, assuming the public offering price remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 



 

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this prospectus before making an investment in our ordinary shares. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected if any of these risks occurs and, as a result, the market price of our ordinary shares could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks facing our company described below and elsewhere in this prospectus.

Risks Relating to Our Business

We have experienced losses in the past and may experience losses in the future.

Our business has experienced quarterly and annual operating losses during the periods presented in the financial statements included in this prospectus. During the six months ended February 24, 2017, we had a net loss and income from operations of $5.5 million and $12.9 million, respectively. In fiscal 2016, we had a net loss and income from operations of $20.0 million and $6.2 million, respectively. In fiscal 2015, we had a net loss and loss from operations of $46.5 million and $6.7 million, respectively. Our ability to achieve and maintain profitability will depend in part on revenue growth from, among other things, increased demand for our memory solutions, products and related service offerings in our current markets including Brazil, as well as our ability to expand into new markets. We may not be successful in achieving and maintaining the necessary revenue growth. Moreover, as we continue to expend substantial funds for research and development projects, enhancements to sales and marketing efforts and to otherwise operate our business, we cannot assure you that we will achieve and maintain profitability on an annual or quarterly basis even if our revenue does grow.

Our operating results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter in the future, which makes them difficult to predict.

Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated in the past and may fluctuate in the future. As a result, our past quarterly operating results are not necessarily indicative of future performance. Furthermore, we may not be able to maintain the margins we have achieved in recent periods. Our operating results in any given quarter can be influenced by numerous factors, many of which we are unable to predict or are outside of our control, including:

 

   

the cyclical nature of the markets in which we compete;

 

   

changes in memory component prices or the average selling prices of our products, including fluctuations in the market price of DRAM and Flash memory components;

 

   

lack of growth or contraction or increased competition in the memory market in Brazil or other markets;

 

   

adverse changes to the local content regulations in Brazil;

 

   

corruption or adverse political situations in Brazil or other markets;

 

   

increased trade restrictions or trade wars;

 

   

the loss of, significant reduction in sales to, or demand from, key customers;

 

   

industry consolidation, which may further reduce the number of our potential customers and/or suppliers;

 

   

fluctuations in the markets served by our OEM customers, including the computing, networking, communications, storage, aerospace, defense, mobile and industrial markets;

 

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difficulty matching our purchasing and production to customer demand, which is difficult to forecast accurately;

 

   

cancellations, modifications or delays in customer orders, product returns and inventory value or obsolescence risk;

 

   

competitive developments, including the introduction of new competitive products;

 

   

our failure to develop new or enhanced products and introduce them in a timely manner; and

 

   

the other factors described in this “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this prospectus.

Due to the various factors mentioned above and other factors, the results of any prior quarterly or annual period should not be relied upon as an indication of our future operating performance. In one or more future periods, our results of operations may fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. In that event, the market price of our ordinary shares would likely decline. In addition, the market price of our ordinary shares may fluctuate or decline regardless of our operating performance.

We depend on the desktop, notebook, server and smartphone markets in Brazil, and lack of growth, or the occurrence of contraction, in these markets have in the past, and could again in the future, have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

A significant portion of our sales and operations are focused on Brazil. Sales to customers in Brazil accounted for 47%, 46% and 52% of our net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. We have invested substantial financial and management resources to develop a research and development center and a semiconductor packaging and test facility in Brazil in order to target the growing market for memory in Brazil and to take advantage of certain Brazilian laws and government incentives, as described below in “—Risks Relating to our International Operations.” Our future financial performance will depend in large part on growth in the Brazilian market, which may not grow again at historical rates, or at all.

Demand for our products in Brazil is dependent upon, among other things, demand in the markets served by our customers, including the Brazilian computing and mobile markets. From time to time, the markets served by our Brazilian customers have experienced downturns, often in connection with political unrest or in connection with, or in anticipation of, declines in general economic conditions. A decline or significant shortfall in demand in any of the markets that we serve could have a significant negative impact on the demand for our products. In addition, a prolonged economic downturn in Brazil, even absent a worldwide economic downturn, may lead to higher interest rates or significant changes in the rate of inflation in Brazil, or an inability of our Brazilian customers and suppliers to access capital on acceptable terms. Our customers and suppliers in Brazil could experience cash flow problems, credit defaults or other financial hardships. A major corruption scandal involving Brazil’s largest energy company, Petrobras, began to unfold in 2014, and by 2015 contributed to a significant decrease in the value of the Brazilian real , which in turn led to a substantial downturn in the Brazilian economy and a substantial rise in unemployment. This in turn had a significant negative impact on our revenues, results of operations and our financial condition.

In addition, as discussed in greater detail below, our sales and our profit margins in Brazil are favorably impacted by laws establishing local content requirements for electronics products. See “—Our success in Brazil depends in part on Brazilian laws establishing local content requirements for electronics products. The elimination of or a reduction in the local content requirements, or our inability to secure the benefits of these regulations, could significantly reduce the demand for, and the profit margins on, our products in Brazil.”

Any of these circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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The markets in which we compete historically have been highly cyclical and have experienced severe downturns that have materially adversely affected, and may in the future materially adversely affect, our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Historically, the markets in which we compete have been highly cyclical and have experienced significant downturns often connected with, or in anticipation of, maturing product cycles of both component suppliers and electronic equipment manufacturers, and/or declines in general economic conditions. These downturns have been characterized by diminished product demand, production overcapacity, high inventory levels and accelerated erosion of selling prices and inventory values. Our industry depends on the continued growth of the electronics industry and on end-user demand for our customers’ products. Economic downturns often have had an adverse effect upon manufacturers and end-users of electronics products. The timing of new product developments, the lifecycle of existing electronics products and the level of acceptance and growth of new products can also affect demand for our products. Downturns in the markets we serve could have a significant negative impact on the demand for our products. Additionally, due to changing conditions, our customers have experienced and may in the future experience periods of excess inventory that could have a significant adverse impact on our sales. During an industry downturn, there is also a higher risk that some of our trade receivables become delinquent or even uncollectible and that our inventory would decrease in value. We cannot predict the timing or the severity of the cycles within our industry. In particular, it is difficult to predict how long and to what levels any industry upturn or downturn, or general economic strength or weakness, will last or develop.

Our customers primarily serve end users in the computing, networking, communications, storage, aerospace, defense, mobile and industrial markets. Sales of our products are dependent upon demand in these markets. From time to time, each of these markets has experienced cyclical downturns, often in connection with, or in anticipation of, declines in general economic conditions, and we may experience substantial period-to-period fluctuations in our operating results due to factors affecting these markets. Changes in end-user demand for our customers’ products could have a material adverse effect on demand for our products, particularly if the customer has accumulated excess inventories of products purchased from us or from competitors selling similar products. Reduced demand for our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Declines in memory component prices and our average selling prices may result in declines in our net sales and gross profit and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our industry has historically been characterized by declines in average selling prices. Our average selling prices may decline due to several factors, including general declines in demand for our products and excess supply of DRAM and Flash memory components as a result of overcapacity. In the past, transitions to smaller design geometries and other factors causing overcapacity in memory markets have led to significant increases in the worldwide supply of memory components. If not accompanied by increases in demand, supply increases usually result in significant declines in component prices and, in turn, declines in the average selling prices and profit margins of our products. During periods of overcapacity, our net sales may decline if we fail to increase sales volume of existing products or to introduce and sell new products in quantities sufficient to offset declines in selling prices. Our efforts to increase sales or to introduce new products to offset the impact of declines in average selling prices may not be successful. Furthermore, our competitors and customers also impose significant pricing pressures on us. These declines in average selling prices have in the past had, and may again in the future have, a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Declines in prices also could affect the valuation of our inventory, which could result in inventory write-downs. Declines in average selling prices also might enable OEMs to pre-install higher density memory modules into new systems at existing price points, thereby reducing the demand for future memory upgrades. In addition, our net sales and gross profit may be negatively affected by shifts in our product mix during periods of declining average selling prices.

 

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Worldwide economic and political conditions as well as other factors may adversely affect our operations and cause fluctuations in demand for our products.

Uncertainty in global economic and political conditions poses a risk to the overall economy, as consumers and businesses have made it difficult for customers, suppliers and us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities. Declines in the worldwide semiconductor market, economic conditions or consumer confidence would likely decrease the overall demand for our products. Other factors that could cause demand for our products to fluctuate include:

 

   

a downturn in the computing, networking, communications, storage, aerospace, defense, mobile or industrial markets;

 

   

changes in consumer confidence caused by changes in market conditions, including changes in the credit markets, expectations for employment and inflation and energy prices;

 

   

corruption or adverse political situations in Brazil or other markets;

 

   

increased trade restrictions or trade wars;

 

   

changes in the level of customers’ components inventory;

 

   

competitive pressures, including pricing pressures, from companies that have competing products, architectures, manufacturing technologies and marketing programs;

 

   

changes in technology or customer product needs;

 

   

strategic actions taken by our competitors; and

 

   

market acceptance of our products.

If demand for our products decreases, our manufacturing or assembly and test capacity could be under-utilized, and we may be required to record an impairment on our long-lived assets, including facilities and equipment, as well as intangible assets, which would increase our expenses. In addition, if product demand decreases or we fail to forecast demand accurately, we could be required to write-off inventory or record under-utilization charges, which would have a negative impact on our profitability. If product demand increases more or faster than anticipated, we may not be able to add manufacturing or assembly and test capacity fast enough to meet market demand. These changes in demand for our products, and changes in our customers’ product needs, could have a variety of negative effects on our competitive position and our financial results, and, in certain cases, may reduce our net sales, increase our costs, lower our profit margins or require us to recognize impairments of our assets. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our success in Brazil depends in part on Brazilian laws establishing local content requirements for electronics products. The elimination of or a reduction in the local content requirements, or our inability to secure the benefits of these regulations, could significantly reduce the demand for, and the profit margins on, our products in Brazil.

Successive Brazilian governmental administrations have adopted economic policies intended to foster innovation and investment in local production, stimulate job growth, provide stimulus to exports and defend local manufacturers in various industries. In recent decades, the Brazilian government identified the design and manufacture of integrated circuits, or ICs, as a priority and established tax incentives and local content requirements intended to promote the development of the local IT industry. These incentives include the Lei da Informática—Processo Produtivo Básico, or PPB/IT Program, which is intended to promote local content by allowing qualified companies to sell specified IT products, including desktops, notebooks, servers, SmartTVs and mobile products, with a reduced Brazilian federal excise tax rate, or the IPI, as compared to the rate that is required to be collected by non-qualified suppliers. The PPB/IT Program provides an incentive for certain customers to purchase products from us because they are not required to pay the regular level of IPI on their

 

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purchases. Under the PPB/IT Program, the percentage of local content required in specified IT products has increased significantly from 2006 to present, and the law that provides the PPB/IT Program benefits is currently legislated to remain in force through the end of 2029. For example, under the PPB/IT Program, from 2006 to present the total requirement of DRAM modules made with locally packaged DRAM ICs for notebook computers has increased from 0% to 80% and is expected to remain at current levels through the end of 2029. In order to receive the intended treatment as a PPB/IT Program supplier, our subsidiary, SMART do Brazil, is required to invest in research and development activities in an amount equal to 3% of its gross annual sales revenues reduced by the following: the cost of raw materials qualified as products eligible for the PPB/IT Program, including the ICs that are purchased from our other Brazilian subsidiary, SMART Brazil, and that are used to make memory modules; applicable sales taxes; the value of products exported out of Brazil; and the value of products shipped to the Manaus Free Trade Zone. Brazil’s local content requirements for the IT industry have been subject to criticism by other governments and international organizations.

In 2013, the European Union, or the EU, later joined by Japan, requested the establishment of a panel within the World Trade Organization, or WTO, to determine whether certain measures enacted by the Brazilian government concerning tax incentives and local content requirements for the automotive sector and several other industries including the IT industry and including Brazil’s Support Program for the Technological Development of the Semiconductor and Display Industries Act, or PADIS, the PPB/IT Program and Lei do Bem, are inconsistent with WTO rules. The panel was formed, hearings were held and in December 2016, the WTO circulated its report to the parties. This report is subject to feedback from the parties and has not been released to the public. While we cannot predict the outcome of the WTO’s decision, a negative ruling could result in significant adverse changes to the local content rules and incentives available to us and our customers in Brazil. Any suspension, early termination or other adverse change in the local content requirements could significantly reduce the demand for, and the profit margins on, our products in Brazil, and would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, we benefit from various other tax incentives extended to us in Brazil to promote the development of the local IT industry, and are subject to related risks, as described below under “—Risks Relating to our International Operations—If the tax incentive or tax holiday arrangements from which we benefit in Brazil or Malaysia change or cease to be in effect or applicable in part or in whole, for any reason, or if our assumptions and interpretations regarding tax laws and incentive or holiday arrangements prove to be incorrect, the amount of corporate income, excise, import and contribution taxes we have to pay could increase significantly.”

Sales to a limited number of customers represent a significant portion of our net sales, and the loss of any key customer or key program, or the demands of our key customers, could materially harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our principal end customers include global OEMs that compete in the computing, networking, communications, storage, aerospace, defense, mobile and industrial markets. During the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, sales to our ten largest end customers (including sales to contract manufacturers or ODMs at the direction of such end customers) accounted for 77%, 81% and 75% of net sales, respectively. Of our end customers, Samsung accounted for 18%, 13% and 11% of net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively; Cisco accounted for 15%, 19% and 16% of net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively; Lenovo Group Ltd., or Lenovo, accounted for 13% of net sales in fiscal 2016; Hewlett-Packard Company, or HP, accounted for 14% of net sales in fiscal 2015 (in fiscal 2016, HP undertook a spin-off and divided into two distinct companies, following which neither company accounted for 10% or more of our net sales); and Dell accounted for 15% of net sales in fiscal 2015. Direct sales to Samsung accounted for 18%, 13% and 11% of net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively; direct sales to Flex Ltd., or Flex, accounted for 17% of net sales in fiscal 2016; direct sales to Hon Hai accounted for 11%, 11% and 11% of net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively; and direct sales to Dell accounted for 15% of net sales in fiscal 2015. While Samsung is a significant customer of ours, purchasing eMCPs from us in their smartphone division and DRAM modules from us in their PC division,

 

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Samsung’s semiconductor division is also a major supplier and a competitor. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Our dependence on a small number of sole or limited source suppliers subjects us to certain risks, including the risk that we may be unable to obtain adequate supplies at a reasonable price and in a timely manner” and “—The memory market is intensely competitive, and we may not be able to maintain or improve our competitive position.”

We expect that sales to relatively few customers will continue to account for a significant percentage of our net sales for the foreseeable future. However, we can provide no assurance that any of these customers or any of our other customers will continue to utilize our products or our services at current levels, or at all. Although we have master agreements with one or more key customers, these agreements govern the terms and conditions of the relationship and do not contain requirements for them to purchase minimum volumes.

Our customer concentration may also subject us to perceived or actual bargaining leverage that our key customers may have, given their relative size and importance to us. Since a large percentage of our sales is to a small number of customers that are primarily large OEMs, these customers are able to exert, have exerted and we expect will continue to exert, pressure on us to make concessions on price and on terms and conditions which can adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. If our key customers seek to negotiate their agreements on terms less favorable to us and we accept such unfavorable terms, such unfavorable terms may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Accordingly, unless and until we diversify and expand our customer base, our future success will significantly depend upon the timing and volume of business from our largest customers and the financial and operational success of these customers. If we were to lose one of our key customers or have a key customer cancel a key program or otherwise significantly reduce its volume of business with us, our sales and profitability would be materially reduced and our business and financial condition would be seriously harmed.

The memory market is intensely competitive, and we may not be able to maintain or improve our competitive position.

The memory market is characterized by intense competition. Our competitors include many large domestic and international companies that have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, distribution and other resources, greater name recognition, broader product lines, lower cost structures and longer-standing relationships with customers and suppliers than we do. As a result, our competitors may be able to respond better to new or emerging technologies or standards and to changes in customer requirements. Further, some of our competitors are in a better financial and marketing position from which to influence industry acceptance of a particular product standard or competing technology than we are. Our competitors may also be able to devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of products, and may be able to deliver competitive products at a lower price than we can.

Our primary competitors in the specialty memory market include Viking Technology (a division of Sanmina Corporation), or Viking Technology; ATP Electronics, Inc., or ATP; Unigen Corporation, or Unigen; Apacer Technology Inc., or Apacer; and Transcend Information, Inc., or Transcend. In Brazil, we compete against local manufacturers of DRAM modules and local manufacturers of memory ICs, including HT Micron Semicondutores Ltda., or HT Micron, and Multilaser Indústria de Equipamentos de Informática, Eletrônicos e Ópticos Ltda.

We compete globally against semiconductor memory IC manufacturers that also manufacture DRAM ICs and modules and Flash products, including Samsung; Micron Technology, Inc., or Micron; Western Digital Corporation, or Western Digital; SK Hynix Inc. or SK Hynix; and Toshiba Corporation, or Toshiba. While these companies generally focus on higher volume commodity products, they sometimes compete with some of our specialty memory products. In addition to competing with certain portions of our product offering, Samsung is also a major supplier and a significant customer. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Sales to a limited number of customers represents a significant portion of our net sales, and the loss of any key customer or key program, or the demands of our key customers, could materially harm our business, results of operations and

 

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financial condition” and “—Our dependence on a small number of sole or limited source suppliers subjects us to certain risks, including the risk that we may be unable to obtain adequate supplies at a reasonable price and in a timely manner.”

In our supply chain services business, we compete in a fragmented market with a broad set of companies, including distributors and third party logistics providers as well as our customers’ in-house solutions.

Through imports of DRAM components and modules and Flash products, we face some of the same competitors in Brazil as we do elsewhere. We also face competition from local manufacturers of DRAM modules and Flash products, and expect to face competition in the future from local start-up semiconductor packaging companies, such as Adata Integration Brazil S/A, which has announced the beginning of production of its new packaging plant in Brazil in the first half of calendar year 2017. We believe that import duties and local content requirements in Brazil give us an advantage over companies that import DRAM modules or Flash products or import memory components; however, that competitive advantage may become less significant in the event that competitors build manufacturing facilities in Brazil or local content regulations change or are eliminated. As the local market grows, competition may increase in Brazil.

We face competition from existing competitors and expect to face new companies that may enter our existing or future markets with similar or alternative products, which may be less costly or provide additional features. We also face competition from current and prospective customers that evaluate our capabilities against the merits of manufacturing products internally. Competition may also arise due to the development of cooperative relationships among our current and potential competitors and/or suppliers or third parties to increase the ability of their products to address the needs of our prospective customers. Accordingly, it is possible that new competitors or alliances among competitors and/or suppliers may emerge and acquire significant market share.

We expect that our competitors will continue to improve the performance of their current products, reduce their prices and introduce new products that may offer greater performance and improved pricing, any of which could cause a decline in sales or market acceptance of our products. In addition, our competitors may develop enhancements to, or future generations of, competitive products that may render our technology or products obsolete or uncompetitive. To remain competitive, we must continue to provide technologically advanced products and manufacturing services, maintain high quality, offer flexible delivery schedules, deliver finished products on a reliable basis, reduce manufacturing and testing costs, and compete favorably on the basis of price. Competitive pressure has led in the past and may continue to lead to intensified price competition resulting in lower net sales and profit margins which could negatively impact our financial performance. Our efforts to maintain and improve our competitive position, or our failure to do so, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Industry consolidation and company failures may reduce the number of our potential customers, increase our reliance on our existing key customers and negatively impact the competitiveness of our supplier base.

Our customer and supplier markets are characterized by a limited number of large companies. Some participants in the industries in which we serve have merged and/or been acquired, and this trend may continue. In addition, there have been company failures among both our customer and supplier base. Industry consolidation and company failures could decrease the number of potential significant customers for our products and services. Consolidation and company failures in some of our customers’ industries may also result in the loss of customers. The decrease in the number of potential significant customers will increase our reliance on key customers and, due to the increased size of these companies, may negatively impact our bargaining position and thus our profit margins. Furthermore, the loss of, or a relatively reduced relationship with, key customers due to industry consolidation and company failures could negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, consolidation and company failures in our supplier base could reduce our purchasing alternatives and reduce the competition for our business resulting in higher cost of goods and less availability of components which would have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Customer demand is difficult to forecast accurately and, as a result, we may be unable to optimally match purchasing and production to customer demand, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In most cases we do not obtain long-term purchase orders or commitments from our customers but instead we work with our customers to develop non-binding estimates or forecasts of future requirements. Utilizing these non-binding estimates or forecasts, we make significant decisions based on our estimates of customer requirements including determining the levels of business that we will seek and accept, production scheduling, component purchasing and procurement commitments, inventory levels, personnel and production facility needs and other resource requirements. A variety of conditions, both specific to each individual customer and generally affecting each customer’s industry, may cause customers to cancel, reduce or delay orders that were either previously made or anticipated, and often with little or no notice to us. Generally, customers may cancel, reduce or delay purchase orders and commitments without penalty. The short-term and flexible nature of commitments by many of our customers, and the possibility of unexpected changes in demand for their products, reduces our ability to accurately estimate future customer requirements. On occasion, customers may require rapid increases in production, which can challenge our resources and can reduce profit margins. We may not have sufficient capacity at any given time to meet our customers’ demands. Downturns in the markets in which our customers compete can, and have, caused our customers to significantly reduce the amount of products ordered from us or to cancel or delay existing orders leading to lower utilization of our facilities. This in turn can cause us to have more inventory than we need and can result in inventory write-downs or write-offs. Additionally, as many of our costs and operating expenses are relatively fixed, reduction in customer demand would have an adverse effect on our operating income, results of operations and financial condition.

We may experience inventory write-downs or write-offs.

To the extent we manufacture products or make purchases in anticipation of future demand that does not materialize, or in the event a customer cancels or reduces outstanding orders, we could experience an unanticipated increase in our inventory. We have had in the past and expect we could again have in the future, inventory write-downs and/or write-offs due to obsolescence, excess quantities and declines in market value below our costs. In particular, if product obsolescence causes product demand to decrease or we fail to forecast demand accurately, we could be required to write-off inventory or record under-utilization charges, which would have a negative impact on our profit margins and our profitability. Any one or more of these occurrences could have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

In connection with delivering our supply chain services, we make significant inventory purchases based on customer forecasts and/or customer purchase orders. In most instances, forecasts are non-binding and purchase orders can be rescheduled at the customer’s option, often times without penalty. When actual consumption does not meet the customer’s forecast or the customer’s purchase orders, it will result in unanticipated and sometimes significant increases in our inventory. Additionally, some of our logistics transactions contemplate extended periods of inventory management. These programs generally obligate customers to eventually purchase certain aged logistics inventory with minimal right to price reductions, and typically provide for periodic carrying charges. We can provide no assurance, however, that the customers will comply with these obligations. If a customer of our supply chain services has significant delays in delivery of inventory, this could have a negative impact on our profitability. If a customer of our supply chain services fails to consume the inventory that we purchase for it, this could result in significant inventory write-downs or write-offs. Any one or more of these occurrences could have a significant negative impact on our cash flows, business, results of operations and financial condition. At the end of each of the last four fiscal quarters, logistics inventory (including inventory specifically requested by customers) ranged between 36% and 47% of our total inventory.

New product development requires significant investment. Our failure to develop new or enhanced products and introduce them in a timely manner would undermine our competitiveness.

The memory market is subject to rapid technological change, product obsolescence, frequent new product introductions and feature enhancements, changes in end-user requirements and evolving industry standards. Our

 

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ability to successfully compete and to continue to grow our business depends in significant part upon our ability to develop, introduce and sell new and enhanced products on a timely and cost-effective basis, and to anticipate and respond to changing customer requirements. We have experienced, and may experience in the future, delays and unanticipated expenses in the development and introduction of new products. A failure to develop products with required feature sets or performance standards, or a delay as short as a number of weeks in bringing a new product to market could significantly reduce our return on investment as well as our net sales, all of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Delays in the development, introduction and qualification of new products could provide a competitor a first-to-market advantage and allow a competitor to achieve greater market share. These delays could also result in customers having the right to cancel orders without penalty. Defects or errors found in our products after sampling or commencement of commercial shipments could result in delays in market acceptance of our products. Lack of market acceptance for our new products for any reason would jeopardize our ability to recoup substantial research and development expenditures, hurt our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Accordingly, we can provide no assurance that our future product development efforts will be successful or result in products that gain market acceptance.

We have invested in the past and expect in the future to invest in new technologies and emerging markets. If these new technologies and emerging markets fail to gain acceptance or grow, it would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In particular, we have made and expect to continue to make significant investments in embedded Flash-based products. There is significant competition in these markets and we can provide no assurance that we will develop and introduce products in a timely manner or that our new products will gain market acceptance, be price competitive or result in any significant increase in our net sales. If these investments fail to provide the expected returns, then such failure would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our OEM customers require that our products undergo a lengthy and expensive process of evaluation and qualification without any assurance of net sales.

Our products are often incorporated into our OEM customers’ systems at the design stage. As a result, we rely on OEMs to select our product designs, which we refer to as design wins, and then to qualify our products for production buys. We often incur significant expenditures in the development of a new product without any assurance that any OEM will select our product for design into its system. Additionally, in some instances, we are dependent on third parties to obtain or provide information that we need to achieve a design win. These third parties may not supply this information to us on a timely basis, if at all. Furthermore, even if an OEM designs one of our products into its system, we cannot be assured that they will qualify or use our product in production, that the OEM’s product will be commercially successful or that we will receive significant orders as a result of that design win or qualification. Generally, our OEM customers are not obligated to purchase our products even if we get a design win. If we are unable to achieve design wins or if our OEM customers’ systems incorporating our products are not commercially successful, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, because the qualification process is both product-specific and platform-specific, our existing customers sometimes require us to requalify our products, or to qualify our new products, for use in new platforms or applications. For example, as our OEM customers transition from second generation double-data-rate, or DDR2, DRAM architectures to third generation double-data-rate, or DDR3, or fourth generation double-data-rate, or DDR4, DRAM architectures, we must design and qualify new products for use by those customers. In the past, the process of design and qualification has taken several months to complete, during which time our net sales to those customers declined significantly. After our products are qualified, it can take several months before the customer begins production and we begin to generate net sales from such customer.

Likewise, when our suppliers discontinue production of components, it may be necessary for us to design and qualify new products for our customers. Such customers may require of us or we may decide to purchase an

 

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estimated quantity of discontinued memory components necessary to ensure a steady supply of existing products until products with new components can be qualified. Purchases of this nature may affect our liquidity. Additionally, our estimation of quantities required during the transition may be incorrect, which could adversely impact our results of operations through lost revenue opportunities or charges related to excess and obsolete inventory.

We must devote substantial resources, including design, engineering, sales, marketing and management efforts, to qualify our products with prospective customers in anticipation of sales. Significant delays in the qualification process could result in an inability to keep up with rapid technological change or new, competitive technologies. If we delay or do not succeed in qualifying a product with an existing or prospective customer, we will not be able to sell that product to that customer, which may result in us losing potential revenue and holding excess or obsolete inventory, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If our OEM customers decide to utilize a standardized memory solution instead of our specialty memory products, our net sales and market share may decline.

Many of our specialty memory products are specifically designed for our OEM customers’ systems. In an effort to reduce costs and assure supply of their memory module requirements, a number of our OEM customers design commodity Joint Electron Device Engineering Council-standard, or JEDEC-standard, DRAM modules into their products. Although we also manufacture JEDEC-standard modules, an increase in such efforts by our customers could reduce the demand for our higher priced specialized or customized memory solutions, which in turn would have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, when customers utilizing custom memory solutions choose to adopt a JEDEC-standard instead of a custom module, new competitors producing standardized memory modules may take a portion of our customers’ business previously purchased from us.

Our dependence on a small number of sole or limited source suppliers subjects us to certain risks, including the risk that we may be unable to obtain adequate supplies at reasonable prices and in a timely manner.

We are dependent upon a small number of sole or limited source suppliers for certain materials, including certain critical components, we use in manufacturing our products. We purchase almost all of our materials from our suppliers on a purchase order basis and generally do not have long-term commitments from suppliers. Our suppliers are not required to supply us with any minimum quantities and there is no assurance that our suppliers will supply the quantities of components we may need to meet our production goals. Our major suppliers include Samsung, Micron and SK Hynix. These suppliers also compete with us in the memory market. For example, while Samsung, Micron and SK Hynix all sell DRAM modules to us, and Samsung and Micron supply us with DRAM ICs, Flash ICs and finished products, they also compete with us by selling DRAM ICs and modules and Flash ICs and finished products to many of our customers, usually focusing on higher volume commodity products. Samsung is also a significant customer, as Samsung’s smartphone division purchases eMCPs from us, and its PC division purchases DRAM modules from us.

In Brazil, we purchase the wafers used in our memory products exclusively from a single global memory wafer supplier. The target volume and pricing of wafers are established annually, and our purchases are generally made monthly on a purchase order basis and are not cancelable. In the event that our wafer supply relationship or our purchase orders are terminated, or if our supplier’s production of silicon wafers is reduced or disrupted, we may be unable to obtain sufficient quantities of high-quality wafers at reasonable prices, and in a timely manner, to fulfill our Brazilian customers’ requirements. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will reach agreement with our wafer supplier on the pricing and quantities of wafers that they will supply and we will purchase.

The markets in which we operate have experienced, and may experience in the future, shortages in components, including DRAM and Flash ICs, which are essential components of our memory products. These shortages cause some suppliers to place their customers, including us, on component allocation. As a result, we

 

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may not be able to obtain the components that we need to fill customer orders. If any of our suppliers experience quality control or intellectual property infringement problems, we may not be able to fill customer orders. Furthermore, our products that utilize that supplier’s components may be disqualified by one or more of our customers and we may not be able to fill their orders. The inability to fill customer orders could cause delays, customer cancellations, disruptions or reductions in product shipments or require costly product redesigns and/or re-qualifications which could, in turn, damage relationships with current or prospective customers, increase costs and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

A disruption in or termination of our supply relationship with any of our significant suppliers or our inability to develop relationships with new suppliers, if required, would cause delays, disruptions or reductions in product manufacturing and shipments or require product redesigns which could damage relationships with our customers, increase our costs or the prices we need to charge for our products and could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Unless we maintain manufacturing efficiency, we may not become or remain profitable and our future profitability could be materially adversely affected.

The memory industry is characterized by constant and rapid technological changes and product obsolescence. For example, new manufacturing process technologies using smaller feature sizes and offering better performance characteristics are generally introduced every one to two years. The introduction of new manufacturing process technologies allows us to increase the functionality of our products while at the same time optimizing performance parameters, decreasing power consumption and/or increasing storage capacity. In order to remain competitive, it is essential that we secure the capabilities to develop and qualify new manufacturing process technologies. If we are delayed in transitioning to new technologies, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

If the lifecycle of a product is shortened as a result of the introduction of a new technology, we may be forced to transition our manufacturing capabilities to a new configuration more quickly than originally planned. This can result in increased capital and other expenditures. This can also cause decreases in demand for the older technology products and our manufacturing or assembly and test capacity to be under-utilized. As a result, we may be required to record an impairment on our long-lived assets, including facilities and equipment, as well as intangible assets, which would increase our expenses. When new technologies are introduced, the capacity to manufacture the new products often cannot meet the demand and product shortages can arise. If our suppliers cannot support such demand, we may not be able to fill customer orders or participate in new markets as they emerge.

Our manufacturing efficiency can significantly affect our results of operations, and we cannot be sure that we will be able to maintain or increase our manufacturing efficiency to the same extent as our competitors. We continuously modify our manufacturing processes in an effort to improve yields and product performance and decrease costs. During periods when we are implementing new process technologies, manufacturing facilities may not be fully productive and may experience higher than acceptable defect rates. We may fail to achieve acceptable yields or may experience product delivery delays as a result of, among other things, capacity constraints, delays in the development of new process technologies, increased defect rates, changes in our process technologies, upgrades or expansion of existing facilities, impurities or other difficulties in the manufacturing process. Any of these occurrences could adversely impact our relationships with customers, cause harm to our reputation in the marketplace, cause customers to move future business to our competitors or cause us to make financial concessions to our customers. Improving our manufacturing efficiency in future periods is dependent on our ability to:

 

   

develop advanced process technologies and advanced products that utilize those technologies;

 

   

successfully transition to more advanced process technologies;

 

   

continue to reduce test times;

 

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ramp product and process technology improvements rapidly and effectively to commercial volumes across our facilities;

 

   

achieve acceptable levels of manufacturing output and yields, which may decrease as we implement more advanced technologies; and

 

   

maintain our quality controls and rely upon the quality and process controls of our suppliers.

Disruption of our operations at our manufacturing facilities would substantially harm our business.

A disruption at one of our manufacturing facilities could adversely impact our manufacturing operations and consequently our customer relations and our business. Such a disruption could result from, among other things, sustained process abnormalities, government intervention, waste disposal issues, power failures or other circumstances, or from ramp-up related challenges, such as obtaining sufficient raw materials, hiring of qualified factory personnel, installation and efficient operation of new equipment and management and coordination of our logistics networks within our global operations. We maintain insurance to protect against certain claims associated with business interruption; however, our insurance may not cover all or any part of a particular loss. Since a large percentage of our production is done in a small number of facilities, a disruption to operations, or a loss that is in excess of, or excluded from, our insurance coverage could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If our products are defective or are used in defective systems, we may be subject to warranty, product recalls or product liability claims.

If our products are defectively manufactured, contain defective components or are used in defective or malfunctioning systems, we could be subject to warranty and product liability claims and product recalls, safety alerts or advisory notices. While we have product liability insurance coverage, it may not be adequate to satisfy claims made against us. We also may be unable to obtain insurance in the future at satisfactory rates or in adequate amounts. Warranty and product liability claims or product recalls, regardless of their ultimate outcome, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and reputation, and on our ability to attract and retain customers. In addition, we may determine that it is in our best interest to accept product returns in circumstances where we are not contractually obligated to do so to maintain good relations with our customers. Accepting product returns may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

Our indemnification obligations to our customers and suppliers for product defects, intellectual property infringement and other matters could require us to pay substantial damages.

A number of our product sales and product purchase agreements provide that we will defend, indemnify and hold harmless our customers and suppliers from damages and costs which may arise from various matters including, without limitation, product warranty claims or claims for injury or damage resulting from defects in, or usage of, our products or the products of our suppliers. In addition, we currently have in effect a number of agreements in which we agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless our customers and suppliers from damages and costs which may arise from the infringement or alleged infringement by our products of third-party patents, trademarks or other intellectual property rights. We periodically have to respond to claims and may have to litigate indemnification obligations in the future.

Indemnification obligations could require us to expend significant amounts of money to defend claims and/or to pay damages or settlement amounts. We maintain insurance to protect against certain claims associated with the use of our products; however, our insurance may not cover all or any part of a claim asserted against us. Our insurance does not cover intellectual property infringement in most instances. A claim brought against us that is in excess of, or excluded from, our insurance coverage could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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We may need to raise additional funds, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all.

We may need to raise additional funds, which we may seek to obtain through, among other things, public or private equity offerings and debt financings. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including, without limitation, our levels of net sales, our levels of inventory, the timing and extent of expenditures to support research and development activities, the expansion of manufacturing and test capacity and the continued market acceptance of our products. Additional funds may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. If we issue equity or convertible debt securities to raise additional funds, our existing shareholders may experience dilution and the new equity or debt securities may have rights, preferences, and privileges senior to those of our then existing shareholders. If we incur additional debt, it may increase our leverage relative to our earnings or to our equity capitalization, as well as impose financial and operating covenants that could restrict the operations of our business. In addition, our existing indebtedness may limit our ability to obtain additional financing in the future, as discussed in greater detail below under “—Risks Relating to our Debt—Our indebtedness could impair our financial condition and harm our ability to operate our business.”

During the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, we spent $7.4 million, $13.8 million and $31.7 million, respectively, on capital expenditures, which we used, among other things, to expand manufacturing and test capacity as well as research and development. We plan to continue to make capital expenditures in the future. If our expected returns on these investments are not achieved, it could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If adequate capital is not available when needed, we may be required to modify our business model and operations to reduce spending. This could cause us to be unable to execute our business plan, take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures or customer requirements. It may also cause us to delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our research and development programs, or to reduce or cease operations, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may make acquisitions of companies and/or technologies which involve numerous risks. If we are not successful in integrating the technologies, operations and personnel of acquired businesses or fail to realize the anticipated benefits of an acquisition, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

As part of our business and growth strategy, we may acquire or make significant investments in businesses, products or technologies in an effort to complement our existing product offering, expand our market coverage, increase our engineering workforce or enhance our technological capabilities. Any acquisitions or investments would expose us to the risks commonly encountered in acquisitions of businesses or technologies. Such risks include, among others:

 

   

problems integrating the purchased operations, technologies, products or personnel;

 

   

unanticipated costs or expenses associated with an acquisition or investment, including write-offs of goodwill or other intangible assets;

 

   

negative effects on profitability resulting from an acquisition or investment;

 

   

adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers;

 

   

risks associated with entering markets in which we have little or no prior experience and markets with complex government regulations;

 

   

loss of key employees of the acquired business; and

 

   

litigation arising from an acquired company’s operations.

Problems encountered in connection with an acquisition could divert the attention of management, utilize scarce corporate resources and otherwise harm our business. If we make any future acquisitions, we could issue

 

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ordinary shares that would dilute our existing shareholders’ percentage ownership, incur substantial additional debt, expend cash and reduce our cash reserves or assume additional liabilities. Furthermore, acquisitions may require material charges and could result in adverse tax consequences, substantial depreciation, deferred compensation charges, liabilities under earn-out provisions, the amortization of amounts related to deferred compensation and identifiable purchased intangible assets or impairment of goodwill or other intangibles, any of which could negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. We are unable to predict whether or when any prospective acquisition candidate will become available or the likelihood that any acquisition will be completed. We may expend significant resources and management time pursuing an acquisition that we are unable to consummate. Even if we do find suitable acquisition opportunities, we may not be able to consummate the acquisitions on commercially acceptable terms or at all, or may not realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisitions we do undertake. Our investments in private companies are subject to risk of loss of investment capital. These investments are inherently risky because the markets for the technologies or products they may have under development are typically in the early stages and may never materialize. We could lose our entire investment in these companies.

In connection with the sale of the Storage Business, we agreed to indemnify SanDisk against specified losses.

In August 2013, we completed the sale of substantially all of the Storage Business to SanDisk (now a part of Western Digital) for approximately $304 million in cash, subject to certain escrows and holdbacks. The sale agreement for the Storage Business, or the Sale Agreement, contained certain indemnification obligations that are typical for transactions of this nature, including, among others, for losses arising from breaches of our representations and warranties relating to the sale, as well as for taxes arising with respect to pre-closing tax periods. These indemnification obligations are subject to a number of limitations, including certain deductibles and caps and limited time periods for making indemnification claims. At the closing of the sale, $30.5 million of the purchase price was placed into a third party escrow to secure certain of our indemnification obligations. On August 21, 2014, SanDisk made a claim against us under the indemnification provisions of the Sale Agreement in connection with a lawsuit filed by Netlist, Inc., or Netlist, against SanDisk alleging that certain products of the Storage Business that we sold to SanDisk, infringe various Netlist patents, which SanDisk in turn alleges would, if true, constitute a breach of representations and warranties under the Sale Agreement. Under the Sale Agreement, our indemnification obligation in respect of intellectual property matters, including those claimed by SanDisk, is subject to a deductible of approximately $1.8 million and a cap of $60.9 million. The SanDisk claim included what purported to be an estimate of SanDisk’s alleged indemnifiable losses that is greater than the cap in the Sale Agreement for intellectual property matters.

On December 4, 2014, we entered into an agreement with SanDisk to release the entire balance of the third party escrow, and on December 5, 2014, we received $30.5 million that had previously been held in escrow. Following the release of the escrow, our board declared a $28.3 million cash distribution out of our share premium account which was paid in January 2015 to shareholders of record on January 1, 2015. The release of the escrow amount by SanDisk does not relieve us of our indemnification obligations to SanDisk, and SanDisk has not amended or reduced the amount of its indemnification claim.

We believe that the allegations giving rise to the indemnification claim are without merit and we intend to dispute SanDisk’s claim for indemnification. In addition, there may be other grounds for us to dispute the indemnification claim and/or the amounts of any indemnifiable losses of SanDisk. While we believe that the infringement claims are without merit, we can provide no assurance that SanDisk will be successful in defending the infringement claims or that we will otherwise be successful in disputing the indemnification claim and/or the amount of indemnifiable losses. In addition to the infringement claim described above, we continue to have an obligation to indemnify SanDisk for certain specified matters, including tax obligations for pre-closing tax periods, some of which indemnification obligations are capped at certain amounts and survive for periods of time set forth in the Sale Agreement. An indemnity claim brought against us by SanDisk, including the claim described above, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Our future success is dependent on our ability to retain key personnel, including our executive officers, and to attract qualified personnel. If we lose the services of these individuals or are unable to attract new talent, our business may be adversely affected.

Our future operating results depend in significant part upon the continued contributions of our key senior management and technical personnel, many of whom would be difficult to replace. We are particularly dependent on the continued service of Iain MacKenzie, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jack Pacheco, our Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Our future operating results also depend in significant part upon our ability to attract, train and retain qualified management, manufacturing and quality assurance, engineering, design, finance, marketing, sales and support personnel. We are continually recruiting such personnel in various parts of the world. However, competition for such personnel can be strong and we can provide no assurance that we will be successful in attracting or retaining such personnel now or in the future. In addition, particularly in the high-technology industry, the value of stock options, RSUs, grants or other share-based compensation is an important element in the retention of employees. Declines in the value of our ordinary shares after our initial public offering could adversely affect our ability to retain employees and we may have to take additional steps to make the equity component of our compensation packages more attractive to attract and retain employees. These steps could result in dilution to shareholders.

In Brazil in particular, there is limited availability of labor with the technical skills required for our operations. As a result, we rely heavily on our ability to train personnel or relocate individuals from outside of the country. Relocation from a foreign country is expensive. To keep pace with our anticipated growth in Brazil, we anticipate the need to increase the number of our technical personnel. Additionally, to meet the obligations associated with certain tax incentives, we are required to invest in research and development activities which could require an increase in engineering and other technical personnel. To the extent that competitors enter or expand in the local market, our labor force could be targeted, which could result in the loss of personnel and/or the increase in wages to retain personnel.

The loss of any key employee, the failure of any key employee to adequately perform in his or her current position, our inability to attract, train and retain skilled employees as needed or the inability of our key employees to expand, train and manage our employee base as needed, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We rely, in part, on third-party sales representatives to assist in selling our products, and the failure of these representatives to perform as expected could reduce our future sales.

Sales of our products to some of our OEM customers are accomplished, in part, through the efforts of third-party sales representatives. We are unable to predict the extent to which these third-party sales representatives will be successful in marketing and selling our products. Moreover, many of these third-party sales representatives also market and sell competing products and may more aggressively pursue sales of our competitors’ products. Our third-party sales representatives may terminate their relationships with us at any time on short or no notice. Our future performance may also depend, in part, on our ability to attract and retain additional third-party sales representatives that will be able to market and support our products effectively, especially in markets in which we have not previously sold our products. If we cannot retain our current third-party sales representatives or recruit additional or replacement third-party sales representatives or if these sales representatives are not effective, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our operating results may be adversely affected.

Our success is dependent, in part, upon protecting our intellectual property rights. We rely on a combination of trade secrets, know-how, trademarks, copyright and, to a lesser extent, patents. We do not own or apply for patents in respect of the majority of our products. The absence of patent protection for most of our products means that we cannot prevent our competitors from reverse-engineering and duplicating our products.

 

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We believe that our continued success depends largely on the technical expertise we have developed in manufacturing and designing products, and we rely on confidential proprietary information, including trade secrets and know-how to develop and maintain our competitive position. Any disclosure to or misappropriation by third parties of our confidential proprietary information could enable competitors to quickly duplicate or surpass our technological achievements, thus eroding our competitive position in our market. We seek to protect our confidential proprietary information, in part, by confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements and invention assignment agreements with our employees, consultants, advisors, contractors and collaborators. These agreements are designed to protect our proprietary information, however, we cannot be certain that such agreements have been entered into with all relevant parties, and we cannot be certain that our trade secrets and other confidential proprietary information will not be disclosed or that competitors will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or independently develop substantially equivalent information and techniques. For example, any of these parties may breach the agreements and disclose our proprietary information, including our trade secrets, and we may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for such breaches. We also seek to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of our confidential proprietary information by maintaining physical security of our premises and physical and electronic security of our information technology systems, but it is possible that these security measures could be breached. If any of our confidential proprietary information were to be lawfully obtained or independently developed by a competitor, we would have no right to prevent such competitor from using that technology or information to compete with us, which could harm our competitive position.

It is possible that our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights may not:

 

   

prevent our competitors from independently developing similar products, duplicating our products or from designing around the patents owned by us;

 

   

prevent third-party patents from having an adverse effect on our ability to do business;

 

   

prevent disputes with third parties regarding ownership of our intellectual property rights;

 

   

prevent the challenge, invalidation or circumvention of our existing patents;

 

   

result in issued patents or registered trademarks from any of our pending applications; or

 

   

result in patents that lead to commercially viable products or provide competitive advantages for our products.

If any of our issued patents are found to be invalid or if any of our patent applications are rejected, our ability to exclude competitors from making, using or selling the same or similar products as us could be compromised. In addition, because we conduct a substantial portion of our operations and sell a large percentage of our products outside the United States, we have exposure to intellectual property risks from operating in foreign countries, many of which have laws that may not adequately protect our intellectual property rights.

Activities in the area of intellectual property rights, including litigation and various patent processes can cause us to incur substantial expenses. We are currently involved in contested proceedings, which may result in decisions against us.

The markets in which we compete are characterized by frequent claims alleging misappropriation of trade secrets or infringement of patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property rights of others. From time to time, third parties may assert against us or our customers alleged infringement of such intellectual property rights on technologies that are important to our business. We can provide no assurance that third parties will not in the future pursue claims against us or our customers with respect to the alleged infringement of intellectual property rights. In addition, litigation or other legal and technical processes may be necessary to protect our intellectual property rights, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against third party claims of infringement and/or invalidity. Litigation and other legal and administrative processes, whether as plaintiff, defendant, or otherwise, could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of

 

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operations and financial condition, whether or not such litigation or other processes are ultimately determined in our favor. In the event of an adverse result in, or a settlement of, a litigation matter, we could be required to pay substantial damages or settlement amounts; cease the manufacture, use, import and sale of certain products or components; expend significant resources to develop or acquire rights to use non-infringing technology; and/or discontinue the use of certain processes or obtain licenses and pay one-time fees and/or on-going royalties to use the infringing or allegedly infringing technology. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could result in unexpected expenses or require us to recognize an impairment of our assets, which would reduce the value of our assets and increase our expenses. Alternate technology development or license negotiations would likely result in significant expenses and divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel. We cannot assure that we would be successful in such development or negotiations. Moreover, there could be public announcements of the results of interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these announcements or results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the price of our ordinary shares.

We are currently involved in patent litigation with Netlist. In our proceeding with Netlist, we filed a complaint against Netlist, alleging infringement of certain claims of one of our patents. Netlist filed certain counterclaims and has sought compensatory damages for the harm it claims to have suffered, as well as an award of treble damages and attorneys’ fees.

As we increase our sales, develop more technology and expand our product offerings, the possibility of being involved in more intellectual property contests grows. Increased intellectual property contests could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may not have rights to manufacture and sell particular products that we currently offer, or we may be required to pay a royalty to sell certain products.

The memory and storage markets are constantly undergoing rapid technological change and evolving industry standards. From time to time, third parties may claim that we are infringing upon technology to which they have proprietary rights and that we require a license to manufacture and/or sell certain of our products. If we are unable to supply certain products at competitive prices due to royalty payments we are required to make or at all because we were unable to secure a required license, our customers might cancel orders or seek other suppliers to replace us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Changes in, or interpretations of, tax regulations or rates, or changes in the geographic dispersion of our net sales, or changes in other tax benefits, may adversely affect our income, value-added and other taxes, which may in turn have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Our future effective tax rates could be unfavorably affected by the resolution of issues arising from tax audits with various tax authorities in the United States and abroad; adjustments to income taxes upon finalization of various tax returns; increases in expenses not deductible for tax purposes, including write-offs of acquired in-process research and development and impairments of goodwill in connection with acquisitions; changes in available tax credits; changes in tax laws or regulations or tax rates; changes in the interpretation or application of tax laws; changes in tax regulations or rates; increases or decreases in the amount of net sales or earnings in countries with particularly high or low statutory tax rates; changes in exemptions from taxes in certain jurisdictions or in connection with certain transactions; or by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities. In addition, taxable income in any jurisdiction is dependent upon acceptance of our operational practices and intercompany transfer pricing by local tax authorities as being on an arm’s length basis. Due to inconsistencies in application of the arm’s length standard among taxing authorities, as well as lack of adequate treaty-based protection, transfer pricing challenges by tax authorities could, if successful, substantially increase our income tax expense. While we enjoy and expect to continue to enjoy beneficial tax treatment in certain foreign jurisdictions, most notably Brazil and Malaysia, we are subject to meeting specific conditions in order to

 

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receive the beneficial treatment. Additionally, many of the beneficial treatments must be renewed periodically, and our enjoyment thereof is conditioned upon compliance with several legal requirements and is subject to change. See “—Risks Relating to our International Operations—If the tax incentive or tax holiday arrangements from which we benefit in Brazil or Malaysia change or cease to be in effect or applicable in part or in whole, for any reason, or if our assumptions and interpretations regarding tax laws and incentive or holiday arrangements prove to be incorrect, the amount of corporate income, excise, import and contribution taxes we have to pay could increase significantly.”

We are subject to tax examination in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions, including in Brazil where we have had several audits and are currently being audited with respect to certain taxes. We regularly assess the likelihood of outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for taxes and have reserved for potential adjustments that may result from current examinations. We believe such estimates to be reasonable; however, there can be no assurance that the final determination of any examinations will be in the amounts of our estimates.

Any significant variance in the results of an examination as compared to our estimates, any failure to continue to receive any beneficial tax treatment in any of our foreign locations or any increase in our future effective tax rates due to any of the factors set forth above or otherwise could reduce net income and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If Brazilian administrative tax courts find that we have used an incorrect product code on our imports, then the amount of taxes, interest and penalties that we have to pay on past transactions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

On February 23, 2012, Brazilian federal tax authorities served our Brazilian operating subsidiary, SMART Brazil, with a tax assessment for approximately R$117.0 million (or $37.4 million), alleging that SMART Brazil had incorrectly used an import product classification code for its imports of unmounted ICs for the five calendar years of 2007 through and including 2011. Brazilian federal tax authorities subsequently served a second assessment for an administrative penalty of approximately R$6.0 million (or $1.9 million) for the alleged use of an improper import code. Each assessment is subject to increases for interest and other charges.

In March 2012, SMART Brazil filed defenses to the tax assessments. On May 2, 2013, the first level administrative tax court ruled in favor of the tax authorities and against SMART Brazil for the first tax assessment, but did not rule on the second assessment for the administrative penalty. SMART Brazil filed an appeal on May 31, 2013 at the second level tax court, known as CARF. SMART Brazil’s appeal resulted in a unanimous favorable decision rejecting the position of the tax authorities. Subsequently, the tax authorities filed a request for clarification of certain points in the decision published by CARF, and on September 17, 2014, we received a unanimous ruling rejecting the tax authorities request for clarification. On November 7, 2014, the tax authorities notified CARF that they would not be appealing the CARF decision. As a result, the R$117.0 million (or $37.4 million) tax assessment has been extinguished. We have not received a decision from the first level administrative court with respect to the second notice of assessment for the administrative penalty.

Due to the issuance of these tax assessments, Brazilian federal tax authorities conducted an enrollment of assets of SMART Brazil. Brazilian legislation states that whenever the sum of the debts owed to the Brazilian Revenue Service exceeds 30% of the known equity of a company and R$2.0 million (or $0.6 million), the Brazilian Revenue Service may conduct an enrollment of assets of the company, which is a means of monitoring the company’s equity. During this period, the taxpayer must notify the Brazilian Revenue Service of any disposal, encumbrance or transfer of the assets or rights enrolled within five days from the occurrence of the act; if the company does not provide such notice, then the Brazilian Revenue Service may file a tax injunction. The enrollment does not constitute a lien or encumbrance on the assets. The assets covered by the enrollment are typically assets classified as fixed assets or non-current assets and include assets that are subject to any form of registration before a public deed service or equivalent, such as real estate and vehicles. Other assets may be

 

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subject to enrollment in the event that the assets described above are not sufficient to satisfy the amount of the tax liability. The enrollment does not create any limitation or prohibition against remitting dividends or making cash payments of interest on equity. As the first assessment for R$117.0 million (or $37.4 million) has been extinguished, SMART Brazil has petitioned to have the enrollment cancelled. While the tax authorities have substantially reduced the amount of the enrollment to R$13.9 million (or $4.4 million) as of January 31, 2017, there can be no assurance that the enrollment will be cancelled unless all of the assessments are extinguished.

On December 12, 2013, SMART Brazil received another notice of assessment in the amount of R$3.6 million (or $1.2 million) with respect to the same import-related tax issues and penalties as discussed above. This new assessment does not seek import duties and related taxes on DRAM products and only seeks import duties and related taxes on Flash unmounted components with respect to the months of January 2012 to June 2012. This is because SMART Brazil’s imports of DRAM unmounted components were subject to 0%, and after June 2012, SMART Brazil’s imports of Flash unmounted components became subject to 0%, import duties and related taxes as a result of PADIS. Even with this 0%, if SMART Brazil is found to have used the incorrect product classification code, SMART Brazil will be subject to an administrative penalty equal to 1% of the value of the imports. SMART Brazil has filed defenses to this assessment.

We can provide no assurance that SMART Brazil ultimately will prevail on the remaining tax assessments or the administrative penalties, and no amounts have been accrued in the financial statements for any such assessments or penalties. In addition, in the event that SMART Brazil does not prevail, the amount of the assessments and the penalties and interest could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards are limited.

As of August 26, 2016, we had U.S. federal and California state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $98.5 million and $57.9 million, respectively. The federal net operating loss carryforwards will expire, if not utilized, in fiscal 2023 through fiscal 2036, and the California net operating loss carryforwards will expire in fiscal 2017 through fiscal 2036, both in varying amounts, if not utilized. In addition, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards to offset its post-change taxable income may be limited. In general, an “ownership change” will occur if there is a cumulative change in our ownership by certain “5-percent shareholders” that exceeds 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period. Similar rules may apply under state tax laws. Our net operating loss carryforwards are subject to limitations per Section 382 of the Code. We have experienced ownership changes in the past, and we may experience ownership changes in the future as a result of this offering or future transactions in our ordinary shares, some changes of which may be outside our control. As a result, our ability to use our pre-change net operating loss carryforwards to offset post-change U.S. federal and state taxable income may be subject to additional limitations.

If our goodwill or intangible assets become impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings.

Under U.S. GAAP, we review our long-lived intangible and tangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment at least annually. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances indicating that the carrying value of our goodwill or other intangible assets may not be recoverable include declines in our share price and market capitalization or future cash flow projections. We may be required to record a significant charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill or other intangible assets is determined. Impairment charges could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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We are subject to a variety of federal, state, foreign and international laws and regulatory regimes. Failure to comply with governmental laws and regulations could subject us to, among other things, mandatory product recalls, penalties and investigation and legal expenses which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our business is subject to regulation by various U.S. federal and state governmental agencies. Such regulation includes, without limitation, the radio frequency emission regulatory activities of the Federal Communications Commission, the antitrust regulatory activities of the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, and the Department of Justice, the consumer protection laws of the FTC, the import/export regulatory activities of the Department of Commerce, the product safety regulatory activities of the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the regulatory activities of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the environmental regulatory activities of the Environmental Protection Agency, the labor regulatory activities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the export control regulatory activities of the Department of State, and tax and other regulations by a variety of regulatory authorities in each of the areas in which we conduct business. We are also subject to similar, and in some cases additional, regulation in other countries where we conduct business, including import and export laws and foreign currency control. In certain jurisdictions, such regulatory requirements may be more stringent and complex than in the United States. We are also subject to a variety of U.S. federal and state employment and labor laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the Worker Adjustment and Restructuring Notification Act, which requires employers to give affected employees at least 60 days’ notice of a plant closing or a mass layoff, and other regulations related to working conditions, wage-hour pay, overtime pay, employee benefits, antidiscrimination and termination of employment.

Like other companies operating or selling internationally, we are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, and other laws which generally prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by U.S. companies and their intermediaries for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or otherwise obtaining favorable treatment. We are also subject to similar or even more restrictive anticorruption laws imposed by the governments of other countries where we do business, including the UK Bribery Act, the Malaysian Anticorruption Act and the Brazil Clean Company Act. We make sales and operate in countries known to experience corruption that are rated as high-risk nations. Our business activities in such countries create the risk of unauthorized conduct by one or more of our employees, consultants, customs brokers, freight forwarders, sales agents or distributors that could be in violation of various laws including the FCPA or similar local regulations. In addition, we may be held liable for actions taken by such parties even though such parties are not subject to the FCPA or similar laws. Any determination that we have violated the FCPA or similar laws may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our Brazilian operations are subject to periodic and regular investigations by labor officials and governmental bodies, including the Brazilian Ministry of Labor and the Brazilian Labor Public Prosecutor’s Office, with respect to our compliance with labor rules and regulations. These investigations could result in fines and proceedings that may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Noncompliance with applicable regulations or requirements could subject us to investigations, sanctions, mandatory product recalls, enforcement actions, disgorgement of profits, disbarment from government projects, fines, damages and civil and criminal penalties or injunctions that could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, from time to time we have received, and may receive in the future, correspondence from former employees and parties with whom we have done business with, threatening to bring claims against us alleging that we have violated one or more regulations related to customs, labor and employment, foreign currency control or other laws or regulations. An adverse outcome in any litigation or proceeding related to such matters could require us to pay damages, attorneys’ fees and/or other costs.

 

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If any governmental sanctions were to be imposed, or if we were not to prevail in any civil action or criminal proceeding, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, responding to any litigation or action would likely result in a significant diversion of management’s attention and resources and a significant increase in professional fees.

We could incur substantial costs or liabilities as a result of violations of environmental laws.

Our operations and properties are subject to a variety of U.S., foreign government and international environmental laws and regulations governing, among other things, environmental licensing and registries, protection of flora and fauna, air emissions, use of water resources, wastewater discharges, management and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous materials and wastes, reverse logistics (take-back policy) and remediation of releases of hazardous materials. Our failure to comply with present and future requirements, or the management of known or identification of new or unknown contamination, could cause us to incur substantial costs, including cleanup costs, indemnifications, compensations, fines, suspension of activities and other penalties, investments to upgrade our facilities or change our processes or curtailment of operations. For example, the presence of lead in quantities not believed to be significant have been found in the ground under one of the multi-tenant buildings we lease in Brazil. While we did not cause the contamination, we may be held responsible if remediation is required, although we may be entitled to seek indemnification from responsible parties under Brazilian law and from our lessor under our lease. The identification of presently unidentified environmental conditions, more vigorous enforcement by regulatory agencies, enactment of more stringent laws and regulations or other unanticipated events may arise in the future and give rise to material environmental liabilities and related costs. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Worldwide political conditions and threats of terrorist attacks may adversely affect our operations and demand for our products.

Armed conflicts around the world could have an impact on our sales, our supply chain and our ability to deliver products to our customers. Political and economic instability in some regions of the world could also have a negative impact on our business. More generally, various events could cause consumer confidence and spending to decrease, or could result in increased economic or financial volatility, any of which could result in a decrease in demand for our products.

Additionally, the occurrence or threat of terrorist attacks may in the future adversely affect demand for our products. In addition, such attacks may negatively affect our operations directly or indirectly and such attacks or other armed conflicts may directly impact our physical facilities or those of our suppliers or customers. Such attacks may make travel and the transportation of our products more difficult and more expensive, ultimately having a negative effect on our business.

Any such occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations in different parts of the world could be subject to natural disasters, health epidemics and other business disruptions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.

Our operations in different parts of the world could be subject to natural disasters, including earthquakes, monsoons, cyclones and floods. For example, our United States headquarters in Newark, California is located near major earthquake fault lines. Our manufacturing facility in Penang, Malaysia is also prone to natural disasters, such as cyclones, monsoons and floods. In the event of a major earthquake, cyclone, monsoon or other natural or manmade disaster, we could experience business interruptions, destruction of facilities and/or loss of life, any of which could materially adversely affect our business.

 

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In addition, our business could be adversely affected by the outbreak of influenza A (H1N1), avian influenza, H7N9, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Zika, ebola or other pandemics. Any occurrence of these pandemic diseases or other adverse public health developments in Malaysia or elsewhere could severely disrupt our business or the business of our customers and suppliers, which could materially adversely affect our business.

Since a large percentage of our production is done in a small number of facilities, a disruption to operations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Relating to our International Operations

Significant changes in the political or economic environments in Brazil or Malaysia could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We have extensive operations in Malaysia and significant operations and sales in Brazil. The governments of these countries frequently intervene in their respective economies and occasionally make significant changes in policies and regulations. The Brazilian government’s actions to control inflation and other policies and regulations have often involved, among other measures, increases in interest rates, changes in tax policies, price controls, currency devaluations, capital controls and limits on imports. Our business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as the market price of our securities, may be adversely affected by changes in these and in other countries, to policies or regulations involving or affecting general economic factors, such as:

 

   

interest rates;

 

   

exchange rates and currency controls and restrictions on the movement of capital out of country, such as those which were briefly imposed in 1989 and early 1990 in Brazil;

 

   

currency fluctuations;

 

   

import and export controls;

 

   

inflation;

 

   

liquidity of the domestic capital and lending markets;

 

   

reduction or cancellation of tax incentives to which we are currently entitled;

 

   

other changes to tax and regulatory policies; and

 

   

other political, social and economic developments.

A major corruption scandal involving Brazil’s largest energy company, Petrobras, began to unfold in 2014, and by 2015 contributed to a significant decrease in the value of the Brazilian real , which in turn led to a substantial downturn in the Brazilian economy and a substantial rise in unemployment, and ultimately resulted in the impeachment of the president of the country. We cannot predict what fiscal, monetary, social and other policies will be adopted by the new administration or whether the economic policies that were adopted by the prior administration will be maintained. Uncertainties and speculation about actions of the new administration may result in further adverse consequences to the Brazilian economy and to our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, market conditions in Brazil have been volatile during this time of significant change due to these uncertainties, which may influence investors’ perception of risk in Brazil.

If the tax incentive or tax holiday arrangements from which we benefit in Brazil or Malaysia change or cease to be in effect or applicable in part or in whole, for any reason, or if our assumptions and interpretations regarding tax laws and incentive or holiday arrangements prove to be incorrect, the amount of corporate income, excise, import and contribution taxes we have to pay could increase significantly.

We have structured our operations in a manner designed to maximize our benefit from various tax incentives and/or tax holidays extended to manufacturers in Brazil and Malaysia to encourage investment and

 

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employment. In Brazil, we participate in the following government investment incentive programs, among others:

 

   

Support Program for the Technological Development of the Semiconductor and Display Industries (PADIS), 2007, extended in 2016 . PADIS is designed to promote the development of the local semiconductor industry. In December 2010 and January 2011, the required agencies of the Brazilian government approved our application for beneficial tax treatment under the PADIS program for DRAM ICs and we began operations under the PADIS rules in February 2011. Subsequently, we received approvals for PADIS benefits for microSD cards and USB Flash drives in June 2012, mobile, or low power DRAM in March 2013, eMMC and Flash Fine-pitch Ball Grid Array, or Flash FBGA, in February 2014, eMCP in June 2014, DDR4 DRAM in July 2016, and for any other mounted components in May 2015. The PADIS benefits include: (i) relief from Brazil’s corporate income tax, resulting in a reduction in the Brazilian statutory income tax rate from 34% to 9% on taxable income from the semiconductor IC portion of our operations, (ii) relief from the PIS and COFINS Contributions, the IPI, and Brazil’s import tax, on both the import and domestic acquisition of fixed assets, inputs, software and sale of final products eligible for PADIS, and (iii) relief from Brazil’s tax on outbound royalties, or CIDE. To realize these benefits, our subsidiary, SMART Brazil, is required to invest a percentage of its gross annual semiconductor sales revenues (reduced by the following: the cost of raw materials covered within the scope of PADIS, applicable sales taxes, the value of products exported out of Brazil and the value of products shipped to the Manaus Free Trade Zone) in research and development activities conducted in Brazil each calendar year. The applicable percentage was 3% for 2015, increasing to 4% for 2016 through 2018, and increasing to 5% for 2019 and beyond. Furthermore, SMART Brazil is not permitted to distribute to shareholders (through dividends, capital reductions or otherwise) the amount of corporate income taxes not paid as a result of the PADIS benefits. Failure to comply with our obligations under the PADIS would result in our being charged the amount of the relieved taxes, plus interest equal to the Central Bank of Brazil’s overnight rate, or the SELIC rate, plus a 75% penalty and could also result in the suspension of our participation in PADIS and ultimate termination of PADIS should SMART Brazil fail to repair the infraction within 90 days or should SMART Brazil have PADIS suspended twice in the period of two years. If SMART Brazil’s participation in PADIS were terminated, it would be permitted to reapply for the program only after a two-year period.

 

   

Lei da Informática—Processo Produtivo Básico (PPB/IT Program), 1991 . Brazil’s PPB/IT Program, in which we also began to participate in February 2011, is intended to promote local content by allowing qualified PPB/IT Program companies to sell certain IT products with a reduced rate of IPI as compared to the rate that is required to be collected by non-qualified suppliers. The PPB/IT Program provides an incentive for certain customers to purchase from us because our sales will not be subject to the regular level of IPI. In order to receive the intended treatment as a PPB/IT Program supplier, our subsidiary SMART do Brazil is required to invest in research and development activities conducted in Brazil in an amount equal to 3% of its gross annual sales revenues reduced by the following: the cost of raw materials qualified as products eligible for the PPB/IT Program, including the ICs that are purchased from our other Brazilian subsidiary, SMART Brazil, and that are used to make memory modules; applicable sales taxes; the value of products exported out of Brazil; and the value of products shipped to the Manaus Free Trade Zone. Failure to comply with our obligations under the PPB/IT Program would result in our being charged the amount of the relieved taxes, plus interest equal to the SELIC rate, plus a 75% penalty and could also result in the suspension of our participation in the PPB/IT Program and ultimate termination should SMART do Brazil fail to cure the infraction within 180 days.

Compliance with these programs is measured annually, on a calendar year basis. We believe that we have fulfilled these research and development investment requirements through 2016; however, for certain years the authorities in Brazil have not yet completed the relevant review. For calendar year 2012, the authorities have asserted that certain of our research and development investments may not have qualified for the PPB/IT Program. We are disputing their assertion, and the amount in question is not material in any event. We cannot guarantee, however, that we will be able to make the required investments in the future or that the Brazilian tax

 

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authorities will agree with our classification of certain expenses as constituting research and development, in which case we may lose the anticipated benefits of these programs and could be penalized for failing to pay required statutory income taxes or to collect the required IPI upon our sales. In addition, there is a risk that modifications to tax laws may prohibit, interrupt, limit, terminate early or change the use of these existing tax incentives.

In 2013, the EU, later joined by Japan, requested the establishment of a panel within the WTO to determine whether certain measures enacted by the Brazilian government concerning tax incentives and local content requirements for the automotive sector and several other industries including the IT industry and including PADIS, the PPB/IT Program and Lei do Bem, are inconsistent with WTO rules. The panel was formed, hearings were held and in December 2016, the WTO circulated its report to the parties. This report is subject to feedback from the parties and has not been released to the public. While we cannot predict the outcome of the WTO’s decision, a negative ruling could result in significant adverse changes to the local content rules and incentives available to us and our customers in Brazil.

Any suspension, early termination or other adverse change in the local content requirements in Brazil, or our failure to comply with the requirements of the various regulations, could significantly reduce the demand for, and the profit margins on, our products in Brazil, and would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, we have obtained tax incentives from Malaysia, which provide that certain classes of income we earn in Malaysia are subject to tax holidays. Each tax incentive is separate and distinct from the others and may be granted, withheld, extended, modified, truncated, complied with or terminated independently without any effect on the other incentives. To retain these tax benefits in Malaysia, we must continue to meet certain operating conditions specific to each incentive relating to, among other things, investments in fixed assets, research and development expenditures, minimum operating expenditures, required ratio of staff with degrees in science and technology, local purchasing programs, minimum numbers of patents with local involvement and registration and segregated accounting for the covered products or businesses. The Malaysian tax incentives are presently scheduled to expire at various dates in calendar 2018. If we cannot or elect not to comply with the operating conditions included in any particular tax incentive, we will lose the related tax benefits. In such event, we could be required to refund material tax benefits previously realized by us with respect to that incentive and, depending on the incentive at issue, could likely be required to modify our operational structure and tax strategy. Any such modified structure or strategy may not be as beneficial to us from an income tax expense or operational perspective as the benefits provided under the present tax incentive arrangements.

Our interpretations and conclusions regarding the tax incentives are not binding on any taxing authority. If our assumptions about tax and other laws are incorrect, if these tax incentives are substantially modified or rescinded or if we fail to meet the conditions of any of the tax incentives, we could suffer material adverse tax and other financial consequences including owing significant amounts of taxes and penalties that would increase our expenses, reduce our profitability and adversely affect our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition.

Our business is subject to the risks generally associated with international business operations.

Sales outside of the United States accounted for 79%, 80% and 81% of our net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. In addition, a significant portion of our product design and manufacturing is performed at our facilities in Brazil and Malaysia. As a result, our business is and will continue to be subject to the risks generally associated with international business operations in Brazil, Malaysia and other foreign countries, including:

 

   

changes in tax and other laws and regulations, including recent proposals to impose a tax on goods imported into the United States;

 

   

changes in social, political and economic conditions;

 

   

transportation delays;

 

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power and other utility shutdowns or shortages;

 

   

limitations on foreign investment;

 

   

restrictions on currency convertibility and volatility of foreign exchange markets;

 

   

import-export quotas;

 

   

increased trade regulations or trade wars;

 

   

corruption or adverse political situations in Brazil or other markets;

 

   

changes in local labor conditions;

 

   

difficulties resulting from different employment regulations;

 

   

difficulties in obtaining governmental approvals;

 

   

expropriation and nationalization of our assets in a particular jurisdiction; and

 

   

restrictions on repatriation of cash, dividends or profits.

Some of the foreign countries in which we do business or have operations have been subject to social and political instability in the past, and interruptions in operations could occur in the future. Our net sales, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected by any of the foregoing factors.

Our global operations expose us to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements, and violation of these regulations could harm our business.

We are subject to numerous, and sometimes conflicting, legal regimes on matters as diverse as anticorruption, import/export controls, content requirements, trade restrictions, tariffs, taxation, sanctions, immigration, internal and disclosure control obligations, securities regulation, anti-competition, data privacy and labor relations. This includes in emerging markets where legal systems may be less developed or familiar to us. Compliance with diverse legal requirements is costly, time consuming and requires significant resources. Violations of one or more of these regulations in the conduct of our business could result in significant fines, criminal sanctions against us or our officers, prohibitions on doing business and damage to our reputation. Violations of these regulations in connection with the performance of our obligations to our customers or suppliers also could result in liability for significant monetary damages, fines and/or criminal prosecution, unfavorable publicity and other reputational damage, restrictions on our ability to process information and allegations by our customers or suppliers that we have not performed our contractual obligations. Due to the varying degrees of development of the legal systems of the countries in which we operate or sell, local laws might be insufficient to protect our rights.

Our operations in foreign countries are more difficult to manage, which may expose us to additional risks that may not exist in the United States, which in turn could have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

A significant portion of our operations is outside of the United States. Additionally, international sales account for a significant portion of our overall sales. In some of the countries in which we operate or sell our products, it is difficult to recruit, employ and retain qualified personnel to manage and oversee our local operations, sales and other activities. The effects of instabilities in the labor market, including strikes, work stoppages, protests and changes in employment regulations, increases in wages and the conditions of collective bargaining agreements could directly affect the development of our activities and those of our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our results. Further, given our executive officers’ lack of physical proximity to our foreign country activities and the inherent limitations of cross-border information flow, our executive officers may at times face extra challenges in their ability to effectively oversee the day-to-day management of our international operations. The challenges facing management to effectively recruit, employ and retain qualified personnel and to otherwise effectively manage our international operations could result in compliance, control or other issues that could have a material negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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If we were to lose the tax-related benefits of being a Cayman Islands company, our business could be adversely affected.

We are a Cayman Islands company and operate through subsidiaries in a number of countries throughout the world. As a result, income generated in certain non-U.S. subsidiaries is not subject to taxation in the United States. We are subject to changes in tax laws, treaties and regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof in the United States, the Cayman Islands and jurisdictions in which we or any of our subsidiaries operate or are resident. In the past, legislative proposals have been introduced in the United States that, if enacted into law, could result in us being considered a U.S. company for tax purposes. This could have the effect of subjecting a larger portion of our worldwide income to U.S. taxation. While no such laws have been enacted to date, there can be no assurance that they will not be enacted in the future.

Unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations could cause currency exchange losses, result in our products becoming relatively more expensive to our overseas customers and increase our manufacturing costs, each of which could adversely affect our business and our profitability.

Our international sales and our operations in foreign countries expose us to certain risks associated with fluctuating currency values and exchange rates. Because some of our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars, increases in the value of the U.S. dollar could increase the price of our products so that they become relatively more expensive to customers in a particular country, possibly leading to a reduction in sales and profitability in that country. Some of the sales of our products, including sales in Brazil, are denominated in foreign currencies. Gains and losses on the conversion to U.S. dollars of such revenues and of other associated monetary assets and liabilities, as well as profits and losses incurred in certain countries, may contribute to fluctuations in the value of our assets and our results of operations. We also have costs and expenses that are denominated in foreign currencies, and decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar could result in increases in such costs that could have a significant negative impact on our results of operations. In addition, fluctuating values between the U.S. dollar and other currencies can result in currency gains which are used in the computation of foreign taxes and can increase foreign taxable income. We do not presently purchase financial instruments to hedge foreign exchange risk, but we may do so in the future.

We are a holding company. If enacted, exchange controls may limit our ability to receive dividends and other distributions from our foreign subsidiaries.

We conduct all of our operations through subsidiaries and are dependent on dividends or other intercompany transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations and pay intercompany dividends. If enacted, restrictions on intercompany dividends or other distributions in certain jurisdictions could have a material adverse effect on our ability to transfer funds from certain subsidiaries. Additionally, Brazilian law permits the Brazilian government to impose temporary restrictions on conversions of Brazilian currency into foreign currencies and on remittances to foreign investors of proceeds from their investments in Brazil whenever there is a serious imbalance in Brazil’s balance of payments or there are reasons to expect a pending serious imbalance. Aside from the remittance restrictions imposed for approximately six months in 1989 and early 1990, the Brazilian government last imposed remittance restrictions more than 25 years ago. The Brazilian government may take similar measures in the future. Any imposition of restrictions on conversions and remittances could hinder or prevent us from converting Brazilian reais into U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies and remitting abroad dividends, distributions or the proceeds from operations in Brazil.

Inflation and certain measures by the Brazilian government to curb inflation have historically adversely affected the Brazilian economy and Brazilian securities market, and high levels of inflation in the future would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In the past, Brazil has experienced extremely high rates of inflation. Inflation and some of the measures taken by the Brazilian government in an attempt to curb inflation have had significant negative effects on the

 

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Brazilian economy generally. Inflation, policies adopted to curb inflationary pressures and uncertainties regarding possible future governmental intervention have contributed to economic uncertainty and heightened volatility in the Brazilian securities market.

Since the introduction of the real in 1994, Brazil’s inflation rate has been substantially lower than in previous periods. According to the Extended National Consumer Price Index (Índice Nacional de Preços ao Consumidor Amplo), Brazilian inflation rates were 6.3%, 10.7%, 6.4%, 5.9%, 5.8% and 6.5% in 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. However, the Brazilian government’s measures to control inflation have often included maintaining a tight monetary policy with high interest rates, thereby restricting the availability of credit and reducing economic growth. The Central Bank of Brazil has frequently adjusted the interest rate in situations of economic uncertainty and to achieve objectives under the economic policy of the Brazilian government. Inflation, along with government measures to curb inflation and public speculation about possible future government measures, have had significant negative effects on the Brazilian economy and contributed to economic uncertainty in Brazil and heightened volatility in the Brazilian securities market, which may have an adverse effect on us.

If Brazil experiences substantial inflation or deflation in the future, we and our ability to comply with our obligations may be adversely affected. In addition, we may not be able to adjust the prices we charge our customers to offset the impact of inflation on our expenses, leading to an increase in our expenses and a reduction in our net operating margin. This could have a material negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Developments and the perception of risk in other countries, such as the 2008-2009 developments in the global financial markets, and particularly in emerging market countries, may adversely affect the perceived value of companies with substantial operations in Brazil, causing the market price of our ordinary shares to decline.

The market value of securities of companies with substantial operations in Brazil is affected to varying degrees by political, economic and market conditions in other countries, including other Latin American and emerging market countries. Developments or economic conditions in other emerging market countries have at times significantly affected the availability of credit to the Brazilian economy and resulted in considerable outflows of funds from Brazil and decreases in the amount of foreign investments in Brazil. Although economic conditions in these countries may differ significantly from economic conditions in Brazil, investors’ reactions to developments in these other countries, such as the 2008-2009 developments in the global financial markets, may have an adverse effect on the market value of Brazilian companies or companies with significant operations in Brazil. Since a significant portion of our total assets is located in Brazil, a decrease of the perceived value of companies with substantial operations in Brazil could adversely impact the market price of our ordinary shares.

Risks Relating to our Debt

Our indebtedness could impair our financial condition and harm our ability to operate our business.

Certain of our subsidiaries have incurred indebtedness under a senior secured term loan and revolving credit facility, which we refer to, together with all related loan documents and as amended and restated in November 2016, as the Senior Secured Credit Agreement. The obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement are jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior basis by certain of our subsidiaries and secured by a pledge of the capital stock of, or equity interests in, most of our subsidiaries and by substantially all of our assets and those of our subsidiaries.

Our Brazilian operating subsidiary, SMART Brazil, has incurred additional indebtedness under a credit facility with the Brazilian Development Bank, or BNDES, which we refer to, together with all related loan documents and as amended from time to time, as the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement. Under the BNDES 2013

 

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Credit Agreement, credit in the amount of R$50.6 million (or $16.2 million) was made available to SMART Brazil for investments in infrastructure, research and development in Brazil and acquisitions of equipment not otherwise available in the Brazilian domestic market. Our obligations under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Banco Itaú BBA S.A., or Itaú Bank, which guarantee is in turn secured by a guarantee from SMART Brazil and SMART do Brazil and a commitment by SMART Brazil to maintain minimum cash balances with Itaú Bank equal to 11.85% of the maximum aggregate balance of principal, interest and fees outstanding under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement, or R$6.0 million (or $1.9 million) of required cash balances.

In December 2014, SMART Brazil entered into a second credit facility with BNDES, which we refer to, together with all related loan documents and as amended from time to time, as the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement. The BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement and the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement are collectively referred to as the BNDES Agreements. Under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement, a total of R$52.8 million (or $16.9 million) was made available to SMART Brazil for research and development conducted in Brazil related to IC packaging and for acquisitions of equipment not otherwise available in the Brazilian domestic market. SMART Brazil’s obligations under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement are also guaranteed by Itaú Bank, which guarantee is in turn secured by a guarantee from SMART Brazil and SMART do Brazil and a commitment by SMART Brazil to maintain minimum cash balances with Itaú Bank equal to 30.31% of the maximum aggregate balance of principal, interest and fees outstanding under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement, or approximately R$16.0 million (or $5.1 million) of required cash balances.

As of February 24, 2017, the outstanding principal balance under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement and the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement, respectively, was $216.0 million, R$31.9 million (or $10.2 million) and R$46.2 million (or $14.8 million). We have a right to draw an additional $50.0 million under the revolving loan provisions of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement.

Our indebtedness may have important consequences, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

increasing our vulnerability to general economic downturns and adverse industry conditions;

 

   

requiring us to dedicate a significant portion of our cash flows from operations to the payment of interest and principal on our debt, which would reduce the funds available to us for our working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate requirements;

 

   

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and industry;

 

   

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors with less indebtedness or more liquidity; and

 

   

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes or other purposes.

All of our debt under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and approximately half of the debt under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement bears interest at variable rates. If the rates were to increase significantly, our ability to borrow additional funds may be reduced and the risks related to our indebtedness would be exacerbated.

Our Senior Secured Credit Agreement contains restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business.

Our Senior Secured Credit Agreement contains restrictive covenants that limit our ability to engage in specified transactions and prohibit us from voluntarily prepaying certain of our other indebtedness. These covenants limit our ability to, among other things:

 

   

incur additional indebtedness;

 

   

pay dividends on, or repurchase or make distributions in respect of, our capital stock or make other restricted payments;

 

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make certain investments, including limitations on capital expenditures and acquisitions;

 

   

sell or transfer assets;

 

   

enter into or effect sale leaseback transactions;

 

   

enter into swap agreements;

 

   

prepay, repurchase, redeem, otherwise defease or amend the terms of any subordinated indebtedness;

 

   

change fiscal periods;

 

   

create liens;

 

   

enter into contractual obligations that restrict our ability to grant liens on assets or capital stock;

 

   

change the character of our business;

 

   

consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; and

 

   

enter into certain transactions with affiliates.

Under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, under certain circumstances we also are required to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios. Our ability to meet those financial ratios could be affected by events beyond our control, and there can be no assurance that we will meet those ratios.

The failure to comply with any of these covenants would cause a default under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement. A default, if not waived, could result in acceleration of the outstanding indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, in which case such indebtedness would become immediately due and payable. If any default occurs, we may not be able to pay our debt or borrow sufficient funds to refinance it. Even if new financing is available, it may not be available on terms that are acceptable to us. Complying with these covenants may cause us to take actions that we otherwise would not take or not take actions that we otherwise would take.

Our ability to generate cash to service our debt depends on many factors beyond our control.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on the financial condition and operating performance of our business. This, to a certain extent, is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business, regulatory and other factors beyond our control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flows from operations, and future borrowings may not be available to us under our Senior Secured Credit Agreement or the BNDES Agreements in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our debt or to fund our other liquidity needs. If we are unable to meet our debt obligations or fund our other liquidity needs, we may need to restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt or sell certain of our assets on or before the maturity of our debt. We may not be able to restructure or refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms, if at all, which could cause us to default on our debt obligations and impair our liquidity. Any refinancing of our indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants that could further restrict our business operations.

In addition, if our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, or to sell assets or seek additional capital. These alternative measures may not be available to us, may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations, which could result in substantial liquidity problems. Our Senior Secured Credit Agreement restricts our ability to dispose of our assets and use the proceeds from the disposition. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain the proceeds which we could realize from them, and these proceeds may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due. Any of these circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Disruption in the financial markets may adversely impact the availability and cost of credit and cause other disruptions and additional costs at a time when we may need capital to refinance our debt or to fund growth.

Refinancing our existing debt or securing new debt or equity financing may be difficult, expensive, dilutive or impossible. As in the past, future instability in the financial markets may have an adverse effect on the U.S. and/or world economy which could adversely impact our business. If we are not able to obtain the capital required to refinance our existing debt or to fund future growth or if we are required to incur significant expenses and/or dilution to do so, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and may require us to undertake alternative plans, such as selling assets, reducing or delaying capital investments or downsizing our business.

Risks Relating to Investments in Cayman Islands Companies

We are a Cayman Islands company and, because the rights of shareholders under Cayman Islands law differ from those under U.S. law, shareholders may have difficulty protecting their shareholder rights.

Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Cayman Islands Companies Law (2016 Revision), or the Companies Law, and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less exhaustive body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states, such as Delaware, have more fulsome and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. See “Description of Share Capital—Comparison of Cayman Islands Corporate Law.”

It may be difficult to enforce a judgment of U.S. courts for civil liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws against us in the Cayman Islands.

We are a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands courts are unlikely:

 

   

to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; or

 

   

to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature.

Although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, and/or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.

 

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As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a U.S. company. See “Enforcement of Judgments.”

Risks Relating to Our Ordinary Shares and the Offering

Control by our principal shareholders could adversely affect our other shareholders.

Prior to the completion of this offering, a substantial portion of our outstanding ordinary shares will be owned by investment funds affiliated with Silver Lake. Immediately following the completion of this offering, Silver Lake will own 62% of our outstanding ordinary shares, or 59% if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option to purchase additional shares in full. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Sponsor Shareholder Agreement we will enter into in connection with this offering, Silver Lake will have the right to nominate members of our board of directors as described in “Management—Board of Directors.” The Sponsor Shareholder Agreement will further provide that, for so long as Silver Lake collectively owns ordinary shares in an amount equal to or greater than 25% of our ordinary shares outstanding immediately following this offering, in addition to the approval of our board of directors, the approval of Silver Lake will be required for certain corporate actions such as change in control transactions, acquisitions with a value in excess of $5 million and any material change in the nature of the business conducted by us or our subsidiaries. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Sponsor Shareholder Agreement.” As a result, based on Silver Lake’s ownership of our ordinary shares and the rights in the Sponsor Shareholder Agreement, Silver Lake will have the ability to elect the members of our board of directors, and thereby to control our management and affairs. Silver Lake will have a continuing ability to control our board of directors and will continue to have significant influence over our affairs for the foreseeable future. This concentrated control will limit the ability of other shareholders to influence corporate matters and, as a result, we may take actions that our other shareholders do not view as beneficial. For example, this concentration of control could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control or otherwise discouraging a potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control of us, which in turn could cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline or prevent our shareholders from realizing a premium over the market price for their ordinary shares. Furthermore, Silver Lake may have interests that are different from, or opposed to, the interests of the public shareholders.

The price of our ordinary shares may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations.

The initial public offering price for our ordinary shares will be determined by negotiations between us and the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the open market following this offering. The market price of the securities of technology companies can be especially volatile. Broad market and industry factors may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares regardless of our actual operating performance. The market price of our ordinary shares could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to the risk factors listed in this section and others beyond our control, including, among other things:

 

   

actual or anticipated variations in our operating results;

 

   

overall conditions in our industry;

 

   

events affecting Brazil or the market for our products there;

 

   

addition or loss of a major customer or of significant business at a major customer;

 

   

changes in laws or regulations applicable to our products or our operations;

 

   

actual or anticipated changes in our growth rate relative to our competitors;

 

   

announcements of technological innovations by us or other companies operating in our industry;

 

   

announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, divestitures, restructuring initiatives or other events that affect us or companies in our industry;

 

   

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

   

competition from existing products or new products that may emerge;

 

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the failure of financial analysts to cover our company after this offering;

 

   

changes in financial estimates by financial analysts, any failure by us to meet or exceed any of these estimates or changes in the recommendations of any financial analysts that elect to follow our company or our competitors;

 

   

changes in the market valuations of other companies operating in our industry;

 

   

developments in existing litigation or disputes or the filing of new litigation or claims against us;

 

   

disputes or other developments related to proprietary rights, including patents, litigation matters and our ability to obtain intellectual property protection for our technologies;

 

   

announcement of, or expectation of, additional financing efforts;

 

   

future sales of our ordinary shares;

 

   

share price and volume fluctuations attributable to inconsistent trading volume levels of our ordinary shares;

 

   

the expiration of contractual lock-up agreements with us and our executive officers, directors and shareholders; and

 

   

general economic and market conditions.

In addition, the stock market in general has experienced substantial price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies affected. These broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our ordinary shares, regardless of our operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of certain companies’ securities, securities class action litigation has been instituted against these companies. This litigation, if instituted against us, could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

There is no existing market for our ordinary shares, and we do not know whether one will develop to provide you with adequate liquidity.

Prior to this offering, there has not been a public market for our ordinary shares. If an active trading market does not develop, you may have difficulty selling any of our ordinary shares that you buy. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in our company will lead to the development of an active trading market on NASDAQ or otherwise, or how liquid that market might become. Consequently, you may not be able to sell our ordinary shares when desired at prices equal to or greater than the price paid by you in this offering or in the secondary market, or at all.

If financial analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or publish negative reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our ordinary shares will depend in part on the research and reports that financial analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our shares or change their opinion of our shares, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our share price or trading volume to decline.

If our estimates or judgments relating to our critical accounting policies are based on assumptions that change or prove to be incorrect, our results of operations could fall below expectations of securities analysts and investors, resulting in a decline in the market price of our ordinary shares.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and

 

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accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, as described in the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets, liabilities, equity, revenue and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Significant assumptions and estimates used in preparing our consolidated financial statements include those related to revenue recognition, accounts receivable, inventory valuation, income taxes, impairment of long-lived assets and long-lived assets to be disposed, share-based compensation and fair value of ordinary shares. If our assumptions change or if actual circumstances differ from those in our assumptions, our results of operations may be adversely affected and may fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors, resulting in a decline in the market price of our ordinary shares.

Future sales of our ordinary shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause our share price to fall.

Sales of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline. This could also impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of our equity securities. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we are authorized to issue up to 200,000,000 ordinary shares, of which 20,708,177 ordinary shares will be outstanding following this offering. We, our directors and executive officers and holders of substantially all of our outstanding equity securities have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer, sell, or dispose of any ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any ordinary shares during the 180-day period following the date of this prospectus. The underwriters may, in their sole discretion, release all or some portion of the ordinary shares subject to lock-up agreements prior to expiration of the lock-up period. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.”

Following the expiration of the lock-up period, certain of our existing shareholders and holders of options, RSUs and warrants, in the event they become exercisable, have the right to demand that we file a registration statement covering the offer and sale of their ordinary shares and shares issuable under such options, RSUs and warrants under the Securities Act and to require us to include their securities on a registration statement filed by us after this offering. If we file a registration statement for the purpose of selling additional ordinary shares to raise capital and are required to include ordinary shares held by these shareholders pursuant to the exercise of their registration rights, our ability to raise capital may be impaired. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement.” In addition, we intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register the shares available for issuance under our SGH Plan. Once we register these ordinary shares and after the expiration of the 180-day lock up period, they can be freely sold in the public market upon issuance and once vested, subject to any restrictions on such shares pursuant to the terms of award agreements or contractual arrangements the holders may have with us or Silver Lake.

We cannot predict the size of future sales or issuances of our ordinary shares or the effect, if any, that such future sales and issuances would have on the market price of our ordinary shares.

The requirements of being a public company will increase our costs and may disrupt the regular operations of our business.

Since August 2011, we have operated as a privately owned company. As a public company, we expect to incur significant additional legal, accounting, reporting and other expenses.

We also anticipate that we will incur costs associated with corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as rules implemented by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and NASDAQ. We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and make some management and corporate governance activities more time consuming and costly, particularly after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” These rules and

 

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regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. This could have an adverse impact on our ability to recruit and bring on qualified directors.

The additional demands associated with being a public company may disrupt regular operations of our business by diverting the attention of some of our senior management team away from revenue producing activities to management and administrative oversight, adversely affecting our ability to attract and complete business opportunities and increasing the difficulty in both retaining professionals and managing and growing our businesses. Any of these effects could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

For as long as we are an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years. See “Summary—Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company.” Even if our management concludes that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, our independent registered public accounting firm may still issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, in connection with the implementation of the necessary procedures and practices related to internal control over financial reporting, we may identify deficiencies that we may not be able to remediate in time to meet the deadline imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for compliance with the requirements of Section 404. Failure to comply with Section 404 could subject us to regulatory scrutiny and sanctions, impair our ability to raise revenue, cause investors to lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and negatively affect the price of our ordinary shares.

As a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ corporate governance rules, we are permitted to, and we will, rely on exemptions from certain NASDAQ corporate governance standards, including the requirement that a majority of our board of directors consist of independent directors. Our reliance on such exemptions may afford less protection to holders of our ordinary shares.

The NASDAQ corporate governance rules require listed companies to have, among other things, a majority of independent board members and independent director oversight of executive compensation, nomination of directors and corporate governance matters. However, we intend to rely on the “controlled company” exemption under the NASDAQ corporate governance rules. A “controlled company” under the NASDAQ corporate governance rules is a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company. Following this offering, Silver Lake will control a majority of the voting power of our outstanding ordinary shares, making us a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ corporate governance rules. As a controlled company, we would be eligible to, and we intend to, elect not to comply with certain of the NASDAQ corporate governance standards, including the requirement that a majority of directors on our board of directors are independent directors and the requirement that our compensation committee and our nominating and corporate governance committee consist entirely of independent directors. Accordingly, our shareholders will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the NASDAQ corporate governance standards, and the ability of our independent directors to influence our business policies and affairs may be reduced.

We are an “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our ordinary shares less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we intend to take advantage of certain accommodations that are not available to public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and providing two years of audited financial statements, rather than

 

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three years, and three years, rather than five years, of selected financial data in this prospectus. We cannot predict if investors will find our ordinary shares less attractive because we will take advantage of these accommodations. If some investors find our ordinary shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our ordinary shares and our share price may be more volatile.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. However, we are choosing to “opt out” of such extended transition period, and as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents may discourage our acquisition by a third party, which could limit shareholders’ opportunity to sell their ordinary shares at a premium.

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association include provisions that could limit the ability of others to acquire control of us, modify our structure or cause us to engage in change of control transactions. These provisions include, among other things:

 

   

a classified board of directors with staggered three-year terms;

 

   

restrictions on the ability of our shareholders to call meetings or make shareholder proposals;

 

   

our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a vote of shareholders representing at least 75% of the outstanding ordinary shares or by a unanimous written consent;

 

   

so long as Silver Lake collectively owns at least 40% of our outstanding ordinary shares, directors may be removed with or without cause, the size our board may be increased and vacancies on the board may be filled upon the affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares; however, at any time when Silver Lake owns less than 40% of our outstanding ordinary shares, shareholders will not be permitted to increase the size of our board, fill vacancies on our board or remove directors without cause; and

 

   

the ability of our board of directors, without action by our shareholders, to issue 30,000,000 preferred shares and to issue additional ordinary shares that could have the effect of impeding the success of an attempt to acquire us or otherwise effect a change in control.

These provisions could deter, delay or prevent a third party from acquiring control of us in a tender offer or similar transactions, even if such transaction would benefit our shareholders. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our ordinary shares if they are viewed as discouraging future takeover attempts.

We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, for the foreseeable future, to repay indebtedness and to fund the development and growth of our business. We do not intend to pay any dividends to holders of our ordinary shares. In addition, our Senior Secured Credit Agreement contains restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. As a result, capital appreciation in the price of our ordinary shares, if any, will be your only source of gain on an investment in our ordinary shares.

 

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MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

Market data and certain industry forecast data used in this prospectus were obtained from internal reports and studies, where appropriate, as well as estimates, market research, publicly available information (including information available from the SEC website) and industry publications, including IDC and ITData Consultoria. Industry publications generally state that the information they include has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. Similarly, internal reports and studies, estimates and market research, which we believe to be reliable and accurately extracted by us for use in this prospectus, have not been independently verified. However, we believe such data is accurate.

Certain information in the text of the prospectus is contained in independent industry publications, including the following reports of IDC:

 

   

Worldwide CY4Q16 DRAM Market Update

 

   

Worldwide CY4Q16 NAND Market Update

The IDC report(s) described herein represent(s) data, research opinion or viewpoints published, as part of a syndicated subscription service, by IDC, and are not representations of fact. Each IDC report speaks as of its original publication date (and not as of the date of this prospectus) and the opinions expressed in the IDC report(s) are subject to change without notice.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate” and “potential,” among others.

Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this prospectus and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, those identified under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus. These risks and uncertainties include factors relating to:

 

   

the losses we have experienced in the past and may experience in the future;

 

   

the unpredictable fluctuation of our operating results from quarter to quarter;

 

   

the highly cyclical markets in which we compete have experienced severe downturns;

 

   

declines in memory component prices and average selling prices that may cause declines in our net sales and gross profit;

 

   

worldwide economic and political conditions in Brazil or other countries, as well as other factors may adversely affect our operations and cause fluctuations in the demand for our products;

 

   

our dependence on growth in the memory market in Brazil, which could cease or contract;

 

   

the dependence of our sales and profit margins in Brazil on the continuing existence of local content requirements for electronics products;

 

   

the dependence of a significant portion of our net sales on the continuing existence of, and demand from, a limited number of key customers;

 

   

the amount of corporate income and excise and import taxes we pay that may increase significantly if tax incentives or tax holiday arrangements in Brazil or Malaysia are discontinued or if our interpretations and assumptions with respect to such tax incentives or tax holiday arrangements are incorrect;

 

   

other factors that may affect our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations; and

 

   

other risk factors discussed under “Risk Factors.”

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future developments or to release publicly any revisions to these statements in order to reflect later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as otherwise required by the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect to receive total estimated net proceeds of approximately $66.6 million (or approximately $77.0 million if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option to purchase additional shares in full), based on the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses payable by us. Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial offering price of $14.00 per ordinary share, the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease the net proceeds to us by $4.9 million and would increase or decrease the amount to be repaid of our outstanding term loans under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement as set forth in the paragraph below, assuming the number of shares to be sold by us in this offering remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1,000,000 in the number of ordinary shares offered by us would increase or decrease the net proceeds to us by $13.0 million and would increase or decrease the amount to be repaid of our outstanding term loans under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement as set forth in the paragraph below, assuming the public offering price remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay $66.6 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding term loans under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement. The indebtedness that we intend to repay bears interest at a rate of 9.25% per annum and matures in August 2019. Affiliates of certain of the underwriters of this offering are lenders under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and will receive approximately $5.1 million in connection with the repayment of our outstanding term loans under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement using the net proceeds from the offering, as described above. See “Underwriting (Conflict of Interest)”.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We do not plan to pay dividends on our ordinary shares for the foreseeable future. The payment of cash dividends on ordinary shares is restricted under the terms of our Senior Secured Credit Agreement. In addition, because we are a holding company, our ability to pay cash dividends on our ordinary shares may be limited by restrictions on our ability to obtain sufficient funds through dividends from subsidiaries, including restrictions under the terms of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, the amount of any distributions, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on many factors, such as our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. If we do pay a cash dividend on our ordinary shares in the future, we will pay such dividend out of our profits or share premium (subject to solvency requirements) as permitted under Cayman Islands law.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The tables below set forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of February 24, 2017 derived from our unaudited consolidated interim financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP:

 

   

on an actual basis; and

 

   

as adjusted to give effect to (i) the amendment and restatement of our memorandum and articles of association, which will occur prior to the closing of this offering, (ii) the deemed net exercise of the First Tranche Warrants for 1,537,855 shares, which will occur upon the completion of this offering, (iii) our sale of the ordinary shares in the offering and our receipt of approximately $66.6 million in estimated net proceeds, assuming an initial public offering price of $14.00 per ordinary share (the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus), after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and (iv) the application of the net proceeds of the offering as set forth in “Use of Proceeds.”

You should read these tables in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Use of Proceeds” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this prospectus.

 

     As of February 24, 2017  
     Actual     As  Adjusted (1)  
     (in thousands, except share
and per share amounts)
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $    23,341     $ 23,341  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

   $ 202,744     $ 136,118  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Preferred shares, $0.03 par value per share; no shares authorized, actual; 30,000,000 shares authorized, as adjusted; no shares issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted

     —         —    

Ordinary shares, $0.03 par value per share; 70,000,000 shares authorized, actual; 200,000,000 shares authorized, as adjusted; 13,870,322 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 20,708,177 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted

     416       621  

Additional paid-in capital

     168,769       235,190  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (143,519     (143,519

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

     (4,958     (4,958
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

     20,708       87,334  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 223,452     $ 223,452  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial offering price of $14.00 per ordinary share, the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease the amount of long-term debt to be repaid with the net proceeds of the offering, our additional paid-in capital and our total shareholders’ equity by $4.9 million, assuming the number of shares to be sold by us in this offering remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1,000,000 in the number of ordinary shares offered by us would increase or decrease the amount of long-term debt to be repaid with the net proceeds of the offering, our additional paid-in capital and our total shareholders’ equity by $13.0 million, assuming the public offering price remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

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The as adjusted column in the table above is based on 20,708,177 ordinary shares outstanding as of February 24, 2017 (including 1,537,855 ordinary shares, assuming the net exercise of the First Tranche Warrants, which will be deemed net exercised upon the completion of this offering if not previously exercised), and, as of that date:

 

   

excludes 1,474,807 ordinary shares subject to outstanding options with a weighted-average exercise price of $10.74 per share;

 

   

excludes 493,316 ordinary shares subject to outstanding RSUs;

 

   

excludes 8,099,219 ordinary shares reserved for future issuance under the SGH Plan; and

 

   

excludes 1,926,428 ordinary shares subject to the Second Tranche Warrants, which only become exercisable if there are balances outstanding under our existing term loans on November 5, 2017.

 

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DILUTION

If you invest in our ordinary shares, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our ordinary shares and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of ordinary shares immediately upon completion of this offering.

At February 24, 2017, we had a negative net tangible book value of $36.5 million, corresponding to a negative net tangible book value of $2.63 per share. Net tangible book value per share represents the amount of our total assets less our total liabilities, excluding goodwill and other intangible assets, divided by 13,870,322, the total number of our shares outstanding at February 24, 2017.

After giving effect to the sale by us of the 5,300,000 ordinary shares offered by us in the offering, and assuming an initial public offering price of $14.00 per ordinary share (the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) and the net exercise of the First Tranche Warrants, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our net tangible book value at February 24, 2017 would have been approximately $30.2 million, representing $1.46 per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $4.09 per share to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $12.54 per share to new investors purchasing ordinary shares in this offering. Dilution for this purpose represents the difference between the price per ordinary share paid by these purchasers and net tangible book value per ordinary share immediately after the completion of the offering.

The following table illustrates this dilution to new investors purchasing ordinary shares in the offering.

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

     $ 14.00  

Net tangible book value per share at February 24, 2017

   $ (2.63  

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors

     4.09    
  

 

 

   

Pro forma net tangible book value per share after the offering

       1.46  
    

 

 

 

Dilution per share to new investors

     $ 12.54  
    

 

 

 

A $1.00 increase or decrease in the offering price per ordinary share, respectively, would increase or decrease the pro forma net tangible book value after this offering by $0.24 per share and the dilution to investors in the offering by $13.31 per share. Similarly, an increase or decrease of 1,000,000 shares in the number of ordinary shares offered by us would increase or decrease the pro forma net tangible book value by $0.53 per share or ($0.59) per share, assuming the public offering price remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

If the underwriters exercise their overallotment option to purchase additional shares in full, the pro forma net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering would be $1.88 per share, and the dilution in net tangible book value per share to investors in this offering would be $12.12 per share.

The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis as of February 24, 2017, the difference between existing shareholders and new investors with respect to the number of ordinary shares purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us and the average price per share paid or to be paid to us at an assumed public offering price of $14.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, before deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us:

 

     Shares Purchased     Total Consideration     Average Price
Per Share
 
     Number      Percent     Amount      Percent    

Existing shareholders

     15,408,177        74   $ 109,501,000        60   $ 7.11  

New public investors

     5,300,000        26       74,200,000        40       14.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

     20,708,177        100.0   $ 183,701,000        100.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

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Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $14.00 per share, the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease total consideration paid by new investors and total consideration paid by all shareholders by approximately $4.9 million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

Except as otherwise indicated, the above discussion and tables assume no exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option to purchase additional shares. If the underwriters exercise their overallotment option to purchase 795,000 additional shares in full, our existing shareholders would own 72% and our new investors would own 28% of the total number of our ordinary shares outstanding upon the completion of this offering.

To the extent that any outstanding options are exercised, investors will experience further dilution.

The number of our ordinary shares that will be outstanding after this offering is based on 15,408,177 ordinary shares outstanding as of February 24, 2017 (including 1,537,855 ordinary shares, assuming the net exercises of the First Tranche Warrants, which will be deemed net exercised upon the completion of this offering, if not previously exercised) and, as of that date:

 

   

excludes 1,474,807 ordinary shares subject to outstanding options with a weighted-average exercise price of $10.74 per share;

 

   

excludes 493,316 ordinary shares subject to outstanding RSUs;

 

   

excludes 8,099,219 ordinary shares reserved for future issuance under the SGH Plan; and

 

   

excludes 1,926,428 ordinary shares subject to the Second Tranche Warrants, which only become exercisable if there are balances outstanding under our existing term loans on November 5, 2017.

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

The selected consolidated statement of operations and balance sheet data for the years ended and as of August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015 presented below are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected consolidated statement of operations data for the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of February 24, 2017 have been derived from our unaudited consolidated interim financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus, which, in the opinion of our management, includes all adjustments necessary to present fairly our results of operations and financial condition at the dates and for the periods presented. The results for the six months ended February 24, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that you should expect for the entire year ending August 25, 2017 or any other period.

We maintain our books and records in U.S. dollars and prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

This financial information should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 
     (in thousands, other than per share data)  

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

        

Net sales

   $ 331,298     $ 238,613     $ 534,423     $ 643,469  

Cost of sales (1)

     264,431       192,169       427,491       512,032  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     66,867       46,444       106,932       131,437  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development (1) (2)

     19,645       18,096       38,116       43,741  

Selling, general and administrative (1) (2)

     31,844       28,283       57,495       89,233  

Management advisory fees

     2,000       2,001       4,001       4,030  

Restructuring

     457       1,015       1,135       1,143  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     53,946       49,395       100,747       138,147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

     12,921       (2,951     6,185       (6,710

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense, net

     (14,778     (12,939     (25,575     (27,560

Other income (expense), net

     (902     (1,372     1,874       (5,532
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense

     (15,680     (14,311     (23,701     (33,092
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (2,759     (17,262     (17,516     (39,802

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     2,785       (108     2,444       6,649  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (5,544   $ (17,154   $ (19,960   $ (46,451
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

   $ (0.40   $ (1.24   $ (1.44   $ (3.36
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares used in computing basic and diluted
net loss per share

     13,870       13,834       13,841       13,833  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(1) Includes share-based compensation expense as follows:

 

Cost of sales

   $   268      $   236      $   461      $   771  

Research and development

     445        382        725        844  

Selling, general and administrative

     1,431          1,405        2,686        4,517  

 

(2) Includes amortization of intangible assets expense as follows:

 

Research and development

   $ 2,448      $ 2,448      $ 4,897      $   6,160  

Selling, general and administrative

     3,522        4,170        8,471        24,669  

 

     Six Months Ended      Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
     February 26,
2016
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Other Financial Data:

           

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

   $ 38,240      $ 18,105      $ 51,760      $ 55,762  

Gross billings to customers (2)

   $ 733,686      $ 1,024,527      $ 1,925,047      $ 2,147,437  

Days sales outstanding (DSO) (3)

     34        24        27        31  

Inventory turns (4)

     10        20        18        15  

Days payable outstanding (DPO (5)

     50        44        40        51  

 

(1) We define Adjusted EBITDA as our net income (loss) adjusted to exclude share-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets, interest income (expense), provision for (benefit from) income taxes, depreciation and other adjustments. We have provided a reconciliation below of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

We have included Adjusted EBITDA in this prospectus because it is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends, to prepare and approve our annual budget and to develop short-term and long-term operational and compensation plans. In particular, the exclusion of certain non-cash, non-recurring or infrequent expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA can provide useful measures for period-to-period comparisons of our core business. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors.

Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider this measure in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not consider the cost of equity-based compensation, which is an ongoing expense for us;

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital past expenditures and future requirements for replacements or for new capital expenditures;

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us; and

 

   

other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure.

 

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Because of these limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA along with other financial performance measures, including various cash flow metrics, net income (loss) and our other U.S. GAAP results. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) is provided below:

 

     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 
     (in thousands)  

Net loss

   $ (5,544   $ (17,154   $ (19,960   $ (46,451

Share-based compensation expense

     2,144       2,023       3,872       6,132  

Amortization of intangible assets

     5,970       6,618       13,368       30,829  

Interest expense, net

     14,778       12,939       25,575       27,560  

Provision for (benefit from) income tax

     2,785       (108     2,444       6,649  

Depreciation

     11,583       9,063       18,111       19,315  

Management advisory fees

     2,000       2,001       4,001       4,030  

Debt extention and extinguishment costs*

     3,130       —         —         —    

Restructuring

     457       1,015       1,135       1,143  

In-process research and development charge

     —         —         —         1,582  

Write-off of public offering expenses

     —         —         —         4,388  

Special retention bonuses

     25       1,013       1,611       123  

Storage sale-related legal costs

     —         —         —         987  

Valuation adjustment related to prepaid state value-added taxes

     —         —         908       —    

Investment advisory fees

     540       —         —         —    

Insurance settlement related to a fiscal 2013 claim

     —         —         —         (525

Obsolete inventory related to restructuring

     372       —         —         —    

Misappropriated product shipment

     —         695       695       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 38,240     $ 18,105     $ 51,760     $ 55,762  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  * Debt extension costs consist of $1.7 million associated with the amendment of our senior secured term loan and revolving credit facility in November 2016 and debt extinguishment costs represent a $1.4 million loss on a February 2017 extinguishment.

 

(2) Gross billings to customers consists of product net sales and our gross billings for services. We provide procurement, logistics, inventory management, kitting or packaging services for certain customers. We account for sales from these services on an agency basis (that is, we recognize the fees associated with serving as an agent with no associated cost of sales). We recognize revenue for these arrangements as service revenue, which is determined as a fee for services based on material procurement costs. See Note 1(d) to our consolidated financial statements.
(3) We calculate days sales outstanding as (i) accounts receivable outstanding as of the period end divided by (ii) gross billings to customers for the period divided by the number of days in the period.
(4) We calculate inventory turns as (i) cost of sales plus cost of purchased materials—service for the period, on an annualized basis ( i.e. , multiplied by four and then divided by the number of quarters in the period) divided by (ii) inventory as of the period end.
(5) We calculate days payables outstanding as (i) accounts payable outstanding as of the period end divided by (ii) (x) cost of sales plus cost of purchased materials—service for the period divided by (y) the number of days in the period.

 

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     As of  
     February 24,
2017
     August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 
     (in thousands)  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 23,341      $ 58,634     $ 68,094  

Working capital

     94,359        90,095       98,074  

Total assets

     440,937        458,655       564,707  

Long-term debt

     202,744        225,587       234,617  

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

     20,708        (1,237     8,639  

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes and other financial information, which appear elsewhere in this prospectus. The following discussion contains forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See the disclosure regarding “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus.

We use a 52- to 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Friday in August. Unless the context indicates otherwise, whenever we refer in this prospectus to a particular year, with respect to ourselves, we mean the fiscal year ending in that particular calendar year. Financial information for two of our subsidiaries SMART Brazil and SMART do Brazil is included in our consolidated financial statements on a one-month lag because their fiscal years begin August 1 and end July 31.

Overview

We are a global leader in specialty memory solutions, serving the electronics industry for over 25 years. As part of our global business, we have established a leading market position, as measured by market share, in Brazil as the largest in-country manufacturer of memory for desktops, notebooks and servers, as well as mobile memory for smartphones. We also have a leading market position worldwide, as measured by revenue, in specialty memory where we work closely with OEM customers to develop memory solutions, which incorporate customer-specific requirements. We believe our customers rely on us as a strategic supplier due to our customer-specific designs, product quality and technical support, our global footprint and, in Brazil, our ability to provide locally manufactured memory products. We also provide customized, integrated supply chain services to certain OEM customers to assist them in the management and execution of their procurement processes.

Our business was originally founded in 1988 as SMART Modular, which became a publicly traded company in 1995. In 1999, SMART Modular was acquired by Solectron and operated as its subsidiary. In 2002, we acquired a memory module manufacturing company in Brazil to expand our global footprint and our manufacturing capabilities. In 2004, a group of private equity investors acquired our business from Solectron, and we began to operate our business as SMART Worldwide. SMART Worldwide became a publicly traded company in 2006 and operated independently until the Acquisition by Silver Lake in August 2011. Following the Acquisition, SMART Worldwide, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of SMART Global Holdings, repositioned its business and began to operate as two business units: a business unit focused on the design, manufacture and sale of memory products and services, and the Storage Business, substantially all of which we sold to SanDisk in August 2013.

Since 2002, when we commenced our operations in Brazil, we have invested over $170 million to build and improve our advanced manufacturing facilities and have assembled and trained a staff of over 480 employees, who comprise many of the leading semiconductor technology professionals in the country. In Brazil, we process imported wafers and cut, package and test them to create memory components used to manufacture modules and other memory and Flash-based products. We are the only company engaged in packaging and test for mobile memory for smartphones in Brazil. We have a strategic, long-term relationship with a global memory wafer supplier that has provided us with a stable source of competitively priced wafers for the Brazilian market and provides our supplier with access to that market through our in-country infrastructure and capabilities.

Our business in Brazil has historically focused on DRAM components and modules for desktops, notebooks and servers, where local content and tax regulations provide substantial financial incentives to our customers to procure locally manufactured memory products, particularly when they are made with locally processed components. We have leveraged our experience and success in these markets to expand into mobile memory,

 

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primarily for smartphones, which include eMMC and eMCP, where additional local content requirements and tax incentives have been introduced. During the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, these mobile memory products accounted for 69%, 65% and 29%, respectively, of our net sales in Brazil. Based on expected unit sales for mobile phones in Brazil provided by ITData Consultoria, taking into account our average selling price of approximately $17.09 per eMCP for mobile memory during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, we believe that the total addressable market for locally produced mobile memory for mobile phones in Brazil will reach approximately $499 million by 2019. We have also demonstrated our ability to service the smartphone market in Brazil as we are now qualified at seven of the top ten mobile vendors in Brazil representing, according to ITData Consultoria, 87% of the mobile phones sold in Brazil in calendar 2016. With the local content requirements for various IT products increasing, we believe that our local manufacturing capabilities provide a valuable and differentiated offering to our OEM customers in Brazil. We also believe that our long-term relationships with many of these customers as the largest supplier of locally manufactured memory products provides us with visibility for our Brazilian business.

We began participating in Brazil’s PPB/IT Program in February 2011. The PPB/IT Program is intended to promote local content by allowing qualified PPB/IT Program companies to sell certain IT products with a reduced rate of IPI as compared to the rate that is required to be collected by non-qualified suppliers. The PPB/IT Program provides an incentive for certain customers to purchase from us because our sales will not be subject to the regular level of IPI. In order to receive the intended treatment as a PPB/IT Program supplier, our subsidiary SMART do Brazil is required to invest in research and development activities conducted in Brazil in an amount equal to 3% of its gross annual sales revenues reduced by the following: the cost of raw materials qualified as products eligible for the PPB/IT Program, including the ICs that are purchased from our other Brazilian subsidiary, SMART Brazil, and that are used to make memory modules; applicable sales taxes; the value of products exported out of Brazil; and the value of products shipped to the Manaus Free Trade Zone. In August 2014, the government of Brazil enacted legislation extending the PPB/IT Program until 2029 and maintaining the required research and development investment with respect to DRAM modules at 3.00% of adjusted sales through 2029, repealing the previously approved increases to 3.75% in 2015 and 3.50% in 2016 through 2019.

In 2013, the EU, later joined by Japan, requested the establishment of a panel within the WTO to determine whether certain measures enacted by the Brazilian government concerning tax incentives and local content requirements for the automotive sector and several other industries including the IT industry and including PADIS, the PPB/IT Program and Lei do Bem, are inconsistent with WTO rules. The panel was formed, hearings were held and in December 2016, the WTO circulated its report to the parties. This report is subject to feedback from the parties and has not been released to the public. While we cannot predict the outcome of the WTO’s decision, a negative ruling could result in significant adverse changes to the local content rules and incentives available to us and our customers in Brazil. Any suspension, early termination or other adverse change in the local content requirements could significantly reduce the demand for, and the profit margins on, our products in Brazil, and would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

A major corruption scandal involving Brazil’s largest energy company, Petrobras, began to unfold in 2014, and by 2015 contributed to a significant decrease in the value of the Brazilian real , which in turn led to a substantial downturn in the Brazilian economy and a substantial rise in unemployment. Our net sales in Brazil decreased from $407.4 million in fiscal 2014 to $245.5 million in fiscal 2016. While economic conditions in Brazil remain challenging, the value of the Brazilian real has strengthened in recent periods, and our net sales in Brazil increased from $99.2 million in the six months ended February 26, 2016 to $154.3 million in the six months ended February 24, 2017.

In our specialty memory solutions business, we offer an extensive portfolio of over 2,000 products, which includes all generations of DRAM, as well as embedded and removable Flash, enterprise memory and hybrid volatile and non-volatile memory solutions. We also offer customized, integrated supply chain services to enable our customers to manage supply chain planning and execution, which reduces costs and increases productivity. Our supply chain services are based on our proprietary software platform that we develop and are integrated with

 

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our customers’ respective procurement management systems as well as our suppliers’ distribution management systems.

We generated net sales of $331.3 million, $534.4 million and $643.5 million during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our net sales grew 39% during the six months ended February 24, 2017 over the same period in the prior year and decreased 17% in fiscal 2016 over fiscal 2015. Our net loss was $5.5 million, $20.0 million and $46.5 million during the six months ended February 24, 2017, fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our income (loss) from operations was $12.9 million during the six months ended February 24, 2017, $6.2 million in fiscal 2016 and ($6.7) million in fiscal 2015.

Our global, diversified customer base includes over 250 end customers, such as Cisco, Samsung, HPE, Dell and LG. Our top ten end customers, five of which have been our end customers for over a decade, accounted for 81% of our net sales, including sales to contract manufacturers or ODMs at the direction of such end customers, in fiscal 2016. Of our end customers, Samsung accounted for 18%, 13% and 11% of net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively; Cisco accounted for 15%, 19% and 16% of net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively; Lenovo accounted for 13% of net sales in fiscal 2016; HP accounted for 14% of net sales in fiscal 2015 (in fiscal 2016, HP undertook a spin-off and divided into two distinct companies, following which neither company accounted for 10% or more of our net sales); and Dell accounted for 15% of net sales in fiscal 2015. Direct sales to Samsung accounted for 18%, 13% and 11% of net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively; direct sales to Flex accounted for 17% of net sales in fiscal 2016; direct sales to Hon Hai accounted for 11%, 11% and 11% of net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively; and direct sales to Dell accounted for 15% of net sales in fiscal 2015. During these periods, no other customers accounted for more than 10% of our net sales. Of the $331.3 million of net sales for the six months ended February 24, 2017, 47% were generated in Brazil, 25% were generated in Asia, 24% were generated in North America and 4% were generated in Europe. Of the $534.4 million of net sales in fiscal 2016, 46% were generated in Brazil, 26% were generated in Asia, 23% were generated in North America and 5% were generated in Europe. For further geographic information regarding our net sales and property and equipment, net, see Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements.

Components of Operating Results

Net Sales

We generate product revenues predominantly from sales of our memory solutions, including memory modules, Flash memory cards and other solid state storage products, principally to OEMs that compete in the computing, networking, communications, storage, aerospace, defense, mobile and industrial markets. Sales of our products are made primarily pursuant to purchase orders and are not based on long-term supply agreements. We generate service revenue by providing procurement, logistics, inventory management, temporary warehousing, kitting and packaging services. Our net sales are dependent upon demand in the end markets for our customers’ products and fluctuations in end-user demand can have a rapid and material effect on our net sales. Furthermore, sales to relatively few customers have accounted for, and we expect for the foreseeable future will continue to account for, a significant percentage of our net sales.

Cost of Sales

The most significant components of cost of sales are materials, fixed manufacturing costs, labor, depreciation, freight and customs charges. Increases in capital expenditures may increase our future cost of sales due to higher levels of depreciation expense. Cost of sales also includes any inventory write-downs. We have in the past, and may in the future, write down inventory for a variety of reasons, including obsolescence, excess quantities and declines in market value below our cost. A significant percentage of our cost of sales consists of the cost of DRAM and Flash components and wafers. While we have historically received competitive pricing

 

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and have had consistent sources of supply for these supplies, we do not have agreements that provide us with fixed pricing or guarantees of supply. Increases in DRAM pricing typically improve our margins, at least in the short term and particularly in our operations in Brazil, as we consume previously purchased inventory. However, declines in DRAM pricing often require us to reduce our prices even as we consume higher priced DRAM inventory, thereby reducing our margins.

Gross Profit

Gross profit and gross margin has been and will continue to be affected by a variety of factors, including the average sales prices of our products, manufacturing and overhead costs, the mix of products sold and our ability to leverage our existing infrastructure as we continue to grow. We expect our gross margins to fluctuate over time depending on the factors described above.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses consist of research and development expense, selling, general and administrative expense and management advisory fees. Personnel costs are the most significant component of operating expenses.

Research and development expense. Research and development expense consists primarily of personnel costs, consulting costs, allocated overhead and other costs to support our development activities. To date, we have expensed all research and development costs as incurred. We expect research and development expense to increase in absolute dollars as we continue to invest in our research and product development efforts to enhance our product capabilities and access new customer markets, although such expense may fluctuate as a percentage of total net sales. In order to qualify for certain tax incentives under PADIS and PPB/IT Program in Brazil, we are required to expend a minimum amount on research and development in Brazil.

Selling, general and administrative expense. Sales and marketing expense consists primarily of personnel costs, sales commission costs and allocated overhead. We expense sales commission costs as incurred. Sales and marketing expense also includes costs for recruiting and training channel partners, market development programs, promotional and other marketing activities, travel, office equipment and outside consulting costs. We expect sales and marketing expense to increase in absolute dollars as we expand our sales and marketing headcount in all markets and expand our international operations, although such expense may fluctuate as a percentage of net sales.

General and administrative expense consists primarily of personnel costs, facilities and non-manufacturing equipment costs, allowances for bad debt and other support costs, including utilities, insurance and professional fees. We expect that we will incur increased general and administrative expenses as a result of being a publicly-traded company, including significant increased legal and accounting costs related to compliance with rules and regulations implemented by the SEC and NASDAQ, as well as additional insurance, investor relations and other costs associated with being a public company.

Management advisory fees. Management advisory fees consist of quarterly fees plus out-of-pocket expenses, which are payable by us to Silver Lake Management Company III, L.L.C. and Silver Lake Management Company Sumeru, L.L.C., affiliates of Silver Lake, or the Managers, under the Amended and Restated Transaction and Management Fee Agreement, or the Management Agreement. We intend to terminate the Management Agreement upon the completion of this offering.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net consists primarily of interest expense on our debt obligations.

 

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Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net includes gains and losses from foreign currency transactions and other non-operating items.

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

We record income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, we generally consider all expected future events other than enactments or changes in the tax law or rates. We provide valuation allowances when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

We recognize a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. We then measure the tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. In the event that we recognize any unrecognized tax benefits, the effective tax rate will be affected. If recognized, approximately $2.1 million of unrecognized tax benefit would impact the effective tax rate at August 26, 2016. Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, we cannot assure that the final tax outcome of these matters will be the same as these estimates. We update these estimates quarterly based on factors such as changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, new audit activity and effectively settled issues.

We follow specific and detailed guidelines in each tax jurisdiction regarding the recoverability of any tax assets recorded on the balance sheet and provide necessary valuation allowances as required. Future realization of deferred tax assets ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character (for example, ordinary income or capital gain) within the carryback or carryforward periods available under the tax law. We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences and tax planning strategies. Our judgments regarding future profitability may change due to many factors, including future market conditions and our ability to successfully execute our business plans and/or tax planning strategies. Should there be a change in our ability to recover our deferred tax assets, our tax provision would increase or decrease in the period in which the assessment is changed.

 

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Results of Operations

The following tables summarize our consolidated results of operations for the periods presented. The period-to-period comparison of results is not necessarily indicative of results for future periods.

 

     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 
     (in thousands, other than per share data)  

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

        

Net sales

   $ 331,298     $ 238,613     $ 534,423     $ 643,469  

Cost of sales (1)

     264,431       192,169       427,491       512,032  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     66,867       46,444       106,932       131,437  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development (1) (2)

     19,645       18,096       38,116       43,741  

Selling, general and administrative (1) (2)

     31,844       28,283       57,495       89,233  

Management advisory fees

     2,000       2,001       4,001       4,030  

Restructuring

     457       1,015       1,135       1,143  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     53,946       49,395       100,747       138,147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

     12,921       (2,951     6,185       (6,710

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense, net

     (14,778     (12,939     (25,575     (27,560

Other income (expense), net

     (902     (1,372     1,874       (5,532
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense

     (15,680     (14,311     (23,701     (33,092
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (2,759     (17,262     (17,516     (39,802

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     2,785       (108     2,444       6,649  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (5,544   $ (17,154   $ (19,960   $ (46,451
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

   $ (0.40   $ (1.24   $ (1.44   $ (3.36
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share

     13,870       13,834       13,841       13,833  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes share-based compensation expense as follows:

 

Cost of sales

     $   268      $ 236      $ 461      $ 771  

Research and development

     445        382        725        844  

Selling, general and administrative

     1,431        1,405        2,686        4,517  

 

(2) Includes amortization of intangible assets expense as follows:

 

Research and development

   $ 2,448      $ 2,448      $ 4,897      $ 6,160  

Selling, general and administrative

     3,522        4,170        8,471        24,669  

 

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     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 

Net sales

     100     100     100     100

Cost of sales

     80       80       80       80  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     20       20       20       20  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

     6       8       7       6  

Selling, general and administrative

     10       12       11       14  

Management advisory fees

     1       1       1       1  

Restructuring

     0       0       0       0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     17       21       19       21  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

     3       (1     1       (1

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense, net

     (4     (5     (5     (4

Other income (expense), net

     0       (1     0       (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense

     (4     (6     (5     (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (1     (7     (4     (6

Provision for income taxes

     1       0       0       1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (2 %)      (7 %)      (4 %)      (7 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comparison of the Six Months Ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016

Net Sales, Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

 

     Six Months Ended     Change  
     February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    Amount      %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Net sales

   $ 331,298     $ 238,613     $ 92,685        38.8

Cost of sales (1)

     264,431       192,169       72,262        37.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

Gross profit

   $ 66,867     $ 46,444     $ 20,423        44.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

Gross margin

     20.2     19.5     

 

  (1) Includes share-based compensation expense of $0.3 million and $0.2 million in the same six-month period in both fiscal 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Net sales increased by $92.7 million, or 38.8%, during the six months ended February 24, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in net sales was primarily due to a 43% higher sales volume of mobile memory products in Brazil, which was driven in part by new product introductions of higher density eMCP products and the increase in local content requirements from 25% to 40% for mobile memory products for smartphones. Strategic investments to increase production capacity in prior periods helped enable us to meet the increased demand in the Brazil mobile memory market. Our specialty DRAM sales were also positively impacted by overall strength in the worldwide DRAM market, leading to 32% higher volume and a 17% increase in the average selling prices, as well as strength in the server, networking and communications markets.

Cost of sales increased by $72.3 million, or 37.6%, during the six months ended February 24, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to an increase of 40% in the cost of materials for the higher level of sales, as well as higher depreciation in Brazil due to the technology transition from DDR3 FBGA

 

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packaging to DDR4 flip chip. Included in the cost of sales increase was an unfavorable foreign exchange impact of $3.1 million due to locally sourced cost of sales in Brazil. Gross margin increased to 20.2% during the six months ended February 24, 2017, compared to 19.5% for the same period in fiscal 2016, primarily due to higher Brazil mobile memory and specialty DRAM revenue while cost of sales associated with higher density memory modules increased at a lower rate.

Operating Expenses

 

                                                   
     Six Months Ended      Change  
     February 24,
2017
     February 26,
2016
     Amount     %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Operating expenses:

          

Research and development (1) (2)

   $ 19,645      $ 18,096      $ 1,549       8.6

Selling, general and administrative (1) (2)

     31,844        28,283        3,561       12.6

Management advisory fees

     2,000        2,001        (1     (0.0 %) 

Restructuring

     457        1,015        (558     (55.0 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

   $ 53,946      $ 49,395      $ 4,551       9.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

  (1) Includes share-based compensation expense as follows:

 

                                                   

Research and development

   $ 445      $ 382      $ 63        16.5

Selling, general and administrative

     1,431        1,405        26        1.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

   $   1,876      $   1,787      $ 89        5.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  (2) Includes amortization of intangible assets expense as follows:

 

                                                   

Research and development

   $ 2,448      $ 2,448      $ —         0.0

Selling, general and administrative

     3,522        4,170        (648     (15.5 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $   5,970      $   6,618      $ (648     (9.8 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Research and Development Expense

Research and development expense increased by $1.5 million, or 8.6%, during the six months ended February 24, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to higher personnel-related expenses in Brazil, as well as higher depreciation relating to research and development expenses as part of the requirements of the PADIS and PPB/IT Program for Brazil. Included in the research and development expense increase was an unfavorable foreign exchange impact of $0.9 million.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $3.6 million, or 12.6%, during the six months ended February 24, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to $1.7 million debt extension costs, as well as personnel-related, facilities and professional services expenses, aggregating $2.4 million, partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease in intangible amortization expense as some intangible assets became fully amortized. Included in the selling, general and administrative expense increase was an unfavorable foreign exchange impact of $0.9 million.

 

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Other Income (Expense)

 

     Six Months Ended     Change  
     February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    Amount     %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense, net

   $ (14,778   $ (12,939   $ (1,839     14.2

Other income (expense), net

     (902     (1,372     470       (34.3 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total other expense

   $ (15,680   $ (14,311   $ (1,369     9.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Interest expense, net increased $1.8 million, or 14.2%, during the six months ended February 24, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to additional debt discount amortization and interest expense related to our debt extension. Other income (expense), net increased by $0.5 million primarily due to $1.8 million currency gains (mainly in Brazil), partially offset by a $1.4 million loss on a February 2017 debt extinguishment.

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

 

     Six Months Ended     Change  
     February 24,
2017
     February 26,
2016
    Amount      %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

   $ 2,785      $ (108   $ 2,893        (2678.7 %) 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes increased by $2.9 million during the six months ended February 24, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to higher income in non-U.S. jurisdictions subject to tax and increased withholding taxes.

Comparison of the Years Ended August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015

Net Sales, Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

 

     Fiscal Year Ended     Change  
     August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
    Amount     %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Net sales

   $ 534,423     $ 643,469     $ (109,046     (16.9 %) 

Cost of sales (1)

     427,491       512,032       (84,541     (16.5 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gross profit

   $ 106,932     $ 131,437     $ (24,505     (18.6 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gross margin

     20.0     20.4    

 

  (1) Includes share-based compensation expense of $0.5 million and $0.8 million in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Net sales decreased by $109.0 million, or 16.9%, during fiscal 2016 compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to 47% lower volume and 32% lower average selling price of our DRAM products in Brazil due in large part to a major corruption scandal involving Brazil’s largest energy company, Petrobras, which began to unfold in calendar 2014, and by calendar 2015 contributed to a significant decrease in the value of the Brazilian real . This led to a substantial downturn in the Brazilian economy toward the end of fiscal 2015, which continued into fiscal 2016. The decrease in net sales was offset in part by a 79% increase in average selling prices and a 15% increase in volume for our mobile memory products in Brazil, as local content requirements for mobile memory products for smartphones increased from 25% to 40% in 2016. In addition, our

 

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net sales were also negatively impacted by lower worldwide DRAM prices, leading to a 23% decrease in our average selling prices of our specialty DRAM products in fiscal 2016, partially offset by 10% higher volume.

Cost of sales decreased by $84.5 million, or 16.5%, during fiscal 2016 compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease in cost of sales was driven primarily by a $73.4 million decrease in the cost of materials due to lower sales. In addition, our factory overhead and other components of cost of sales decreased by $11.1 million, primarily due to lower production costs, personnel-related expenses and depreciation as well as charges for inventory reserves. The cost of sales decrease is net of an offsetting favorable foreign exchange impact of $10.7 million due to locally sourced cost of sales in Brazil. Gross margin remained relatively flat for both periods.

Operating Expenses

 

     Fiscal Year Ended      Change  
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
     Amount     %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Operating expenses:

          

Research and development (1) (2)

   $ 38,116      $ 43,741      $ (5,625     (12.9 %) 

Selling, general and administrative (1) (2)

     57,495        89,233        (31,738     (35.6 %) 

Management advisory fees

     4,001        4,030        (29     (0.7 %) 

Restructuring

     1,135        1,143        (8     (0.7 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

   $ 100,747      $ 138,147      $ (37,400     (27.1 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

  (1) Includes share-based compensation expense as follows:

 

Research and development

   $ 725      $ 844      $ (119     (14.1 %) 

Selling, general and administrative

     2,686        4,517        (1,831     (40.5 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 3,411      $ 5,361      $ (1,950     (36.4 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

  (2) Includes amortization of intangible assets expense as follows:

 

Research and development

   $ 4,897      $ 6,160      $ (1,263     (20.5 %) 

Selling, general and administrative

     8,471        24,669        (16,198     (65.7 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 13,368      $ 30,829      $ (17,461     (56.6 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Research and Development Expense

Research and development expense decreased by $5.6 million, or 12.9%, during fiscal 2016 compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease was primarily due to decreased spending as a result of the deteriorating economic conditions in Brazil, lower intangible amortization expense as certain intangible assets were fully amortized in fiscal 2015, as well as an in-process research and development charge of $1.6 million in fiscal 2015, which did not recur in fiscal 2016. Included in the research and development expense decrease was a favorable foreign exchange impact of $3.4 million.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

Selling, general and administrative expense decreased by $31.7 million, or 35.6%, during fiscal 2016 compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of $16.2 million in intangible amortization expense related to assets that were fully amortized in fiscal 2015, lower professional services and personnel-related costs, aggregating $8.9 million, as well as a non-recurring write-off of $4.0 million of deferred

 

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public offering costs in fiscal 2015. Included in the selling, general and administrative expense decrease was a favorable foreign exchange impact of $3.7 million.

Other Income (Expense)

 

     Fiscal Year Ended     Change  
     August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
    Amount      %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Other income (expense):

         

Interest expense, net

   $ (25,575   $ (27,560   $ 1,985        (7.2 %) 

Other income (expense), net

     1,874       (5,532     7,406        (133.9 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total other expense

   $ (23,701   $ (33,092   $ 9,391        (28.4 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

Interest expense, net, decreased by $2.0 million, or 7.2%, during fiscal 2016 compared to the prior fiscal year primarily due to $0.5 million higher interest income and $1.4 million lower interest expense, due mainly to lower balances on our revolver and term loan. Other income (expense), net increased by $7.4 million during fiscal 2016 compared to the prior fiscal year. This increase was primarily due to an $11.8 million currency gain (mainly in Brazil) arising from transactions not denominated in the functional currency, partially offset by a $4.3 million decrease in fees received in fiscal 2015 under a transition services agreement that we entered into with SanDisk in connection with the sale of the Storage Business as this agreement terminated in fiscal 2015.

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

 

     Fiscal Year Ended      Change  
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
     Amount     %  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

   $ 2,444      $ 6,649      $ (4,205     (63.2 %) 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes decreased by $4.2 million, or 63.2%, during fiscal 2016 compared to the prior fiscal year primarily due to lower foreign income in certain taxable jurisdictions.

 

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Quarterly Results of Operations

The following unaudited quarterly consolidated statements of operations data for the first two quarters of fiscal 2017 and each of the four quarters of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 have been prepared on a basis consistent with our audited annual consolidated financial statements and include, in our opinion, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the financial information contained in those statements. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future, and the results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year or any other period. The following quarterly financial data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    Three Months Ended  
    Feb 24,
2017
    Nov 25,
2016
    Aug 26,
2016
    May 27,
2016
    Feb 26,
2016
    Nov 27,
2015
    Aug 28,
2015
    May 29,
2015
    Feb 27,
2015
    Nov 28,
2014
 
          (in thousands)  

Consolidated Statements of Operations:

                   

Net sales:

                   

Brazil DRAM

  $ 28,695     $ 19,328     $ 19,473     $ 20,824     $ 20,804     $ 25,835     $ 39,354     $ 51,336     $ 65,120     $ 83,261  

Brazil Mobile Memory

    49,932       56,211       46,992       58,916       29,583       23,473       16,492       34,416       31,475       15,626  

Specialty Memory

    93,327       83,805       79,736       69,869       66,574       72,344       76,610       72,414       71,206       86,159  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net sales

    171,954       159,344       146,201       149,609       116,961       121,652       132,456       158,166       167,801       185,046  

Cost of sales (1)

    134,797       129,634       116,325       118,997       93,865       98,304       110,672       125,016       129,573       146,771  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

    37,157       29,710       29,876       30,612       23,096       23,348       21,784       33,150       38,228       38,275  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

                   

Research and development (1)(2)

    9,948       9,697       10,353       9,667       8,960       9,136       10,310       11,879       9,318       12,234  

Selling, general and
administrative (1)(2)

    16,434       15,410       14,532       14,680       13,169       15,114       21,907       20,321       22,868       24,137  

Management advisory fees

    1,000       1,000       1,000       1,000       1,001       1,000       1,000       1,034       999       997  

Restructuring

    471       (14     (8     128       330       685       1,143       —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    27,853       26,093       25,877       25,475       23,460       25,935       34,360       33,234       33,185       37,368  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                   

Income (loss) from operations

    9,304       3,617       3,999       5,137       (364     (2,587     (12,576     (84     5,043       907  

Other income (expense):

                   

Interest expense, net

    (8,512     (6,266     (6,310     (6,326     (6,434     (6,505     (6,772     (7,050     (7,225     (6,513

Other income (expense), net

    (1,005     103       1,144       2,102       (177     (1,195     (1,528     (1,730     (1,188     (1,086
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense

    (9,517     (6,163     (5,166     (4,224     (6,611     (7,700     (8,300     (8,780     (8,413     (7,599
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    (213     (2,546     (1,167     913       (6,975     (10,287     (20,876     (8,864     (3,370     (6,692

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

    2,124       661       294       2,258       (640     532       849       1,558       2,302       1,940  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

  $ (2,337   $ (3,207   $ (1,461   $ (1,345   $ (6,335   $ (10,819   $ (21,725   $ (10,422   $ (5,672   $ (8,632
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes share-based compensation expense as follows:

 

Cost of sales

  $ 142     $ 126     $ 113     $ 112     $ 83     $ 153     $ 194     $ 172     $ 227     $ 178  

Research and development

    230       215       162       181       159       223       253       193       210       188  

Selling, general and administrative

    722       709       627       654       402       1,003       1,041       1,022       1,429       1,025  

 

(2) Includes amortization of intangible assets expense as follows:

 

Research and development

  $ 1,224     $ 1,224     $ 1,225     $ 1,224     $ 1,224     $ 1,224     $ 1,224     $ 1,224     $ 1,224     $ 2,488  

Selling, general and administrative

    1,723       1,799       2,196       2,105       2,068       2,102       6,000       6,053       6,232       6,384  

 

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The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) for the periods presented.

 

    Three Months Ended  
    Feb 24,
2017
    Nov 25,
2016
    Aug 26,
2016
    May 27,
2016
    Feb 26,
2016
    Nov 27,
2015
    Aug 28,
2015
    May 29,
2015
    Feb 27,
2015
    Nov 28,
2014
 
    (in thousands)  

Net loss

  $ (2,337   $ (3,207   $ (1,461   $ (1,345   $ (6,335   $ (10,819   $ (21,725   $ (10,422   $ (5,672   $ (8,632

Share-based compensation expense

    1,094       1,050       902       947       644       1,379       1,488       1,387       1,866       1,391  

Amortization of intangible assets

    2,947       3,023       3,421       3,329       3,292       3,326       7,224       7,277       7,456       8,872  

Interest expense, net

    8,512       6,266       6,310       6,326       6,434       6,505       6,772       7,050       7,225       6,513  

Provision for (benefit from) income tax

    2,124       661       294       2,258       (640     532       849       1,558       2,302       1,940  

Depreciation

    6,044       5,539       4,668       4,380       4,467       4,596       4,857       4,567       4,934       4,957  

Management advisory fees

    1,000       1,000       1,000       1,000       1,001       1,000       1,000       1,034       999       997  

Debt extension and extinguishment costs*

    3,130       —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Restructuring

    471       (14     (8     128       330       685       1,143       —         —         —    

In-process research and development charge

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         1,582       —         —    

Write-off of public offering expenses

    —         —         —         —         —         —         3,962       —         —         426  

Special retention bonuses

    —         25       265       333       306       707       123       —         —         —    

Storage sale-related legal costs

    —         —         —         —         —         —         (780     256       750       761  

Valuation adjustment related to prepaid state value-added taxes

    —         —         908       —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Investment advisory fees

    134       406       —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Insurance settlement related to a fiscal 2013 claim

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         (525

Obsolete inventory related to restructuring

    372       —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Misappropriated product shipment

    —         —         —         —         —         695       —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $   23,491     $   14,749     $   16,299     $   17,356     $     9,499     $     8,606     $     4,913     $   14,289     $   19,860     $   16,700  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Debt extension costs consist of $1.7 million associated with the amendment of our senior secured term loan and revolving credit facility in November 2016 and debt extinguishment costs represent a $1.4 million loss on a February 2017 extinguishment.

Quarterly Sales Trends

Net sales for the three sequential fiscal quarters ended February 26, 2016 were adversely impacted by a major corruption scandal involving Brazil’s largest energy company, Petrobras, which began to unfold in 2014, and by 2015 contributed to a significant decrease in the value of the Brazilian real , which in turn led to a substantial downturn in the Brazilian economy and a substantial rise in unemployment. In other quarters, net sales fluctuated as a result of a variety of factors, principally the state of the overall DRAM market, and the demand levels impacting the mobile memory market in Brazil.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

     As of  
     February 24,
2017
     February 26,
2016
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 
     (in thousands)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 23,341      $ 83,813      $ 58,634      $ 68,094  

 

     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 
     (in thousands)  

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (15,648   $ 26,012     $ 15,050     $ 40,762  

Cash used in investing activities

     (7,353     (5,316     (13,369     (8,716

Cash used in financing activities

     (12,673     (3,236     (10,914     (32,645

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
cash equivalents

     381       (1,741     (227     (9,399
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents

   $ (35,293   $ 15,719     $ (9,460   $ (9,998
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At February 24, 2017, we had cash and cash equivalents of $23.3 million, of which approximately $18.0 million was held outside of the United States.

We expect that our existing cash and cash equivalents and cash generated by operating activities will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months. Our principal uses of cash and capital resources are debt service requirements as described below, capital expenditures, research and development expenditures and working capital requirements. We expect that future capital expenditures will focus on expanding capacity of our Brazilian operations, expanding our research and development activities, manufacturing equipment upgrades and/or acquisitions and IT infrastructure and software upgrades. Cash and cash equivalents consist of funds held in demand deposit accounts and money market funds. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes.

Operating Activities

During the six months ended February 24, 2017, cash used in operating activities was $15.6 million. The primary factors affecting our cash flows during this period were $34.0 million change in our net operating assets and liabilities and a $5.5 million net loss, offset by $23.9 million of non-cash related expenses. The $34.0 million change in net operating assets and liabilities consisted of decreases of $3.4 million in accounts receivable and $1.5 million in prepaid expenses and other assets, and an increase of $3.3 million in accrued expenses and other liabilities, offset by an increase of $26.4 million in inventory, and a decrease of $15.7 million in accounts payable. The decreases in accounts receivable and accounts payable were primarily due to lower gross sales, while the increase in inventory was due to higher DRAM prices. See the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies.”

During fiscal 2016, cash provided by operating activities was $15.1 million. The primary factors affecting our cash flows during this period were $38.6 million of non-cash related expenses, offset by a $20.0 million net loss and a $3.5 million change in our net operating assets and liabilities. The $3.5 million change in operating assets and liabilities consisted of decreases of $44.9 million in accounts receivable, $31.3 million in inventory and $11.0 million in prepaid expenses and other assets, offset by decreases of $86.5 million in accounts payable and $4.2 million in accrued expenses and other liabilities. The decreases in accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable were primarily due to lower gross sales.

 

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During fiscal 2015, cash provided by operating activities was $40.8 million. The primary factors affecting our cash flows during this period were $64.2 million of non-cash related expenses and a $23.1 million change in our net operating assets and liabilities, offset by a $46.5 million net loss. The $23.1 million change in operating assets and liabilities consisted of a decrease of $8.6 million in accounts receivable and an increase of $53.2 million in accounts payable, offset by increases of $20.0 million in inventory and $0.4 million in prepaid expenses and other assets, and a decrease of $18.3 million in accrued expenses and other liabilities. The increases in inventory and accounts payable were primarily due to higher gross sales.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities during the six months ended February 24, 2017 was $7.4 million consisting of purchases of property and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2016 was $13.4 million consisting primarily of $13.8 million used for purchases of property and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2015 was $8.7 million, primarily resulting from $31.7 million used for purchases of property and equipment, $6.1 million of restricted cash related to our BNDES Credit Agreements in Brazil and $1.6 million used to purchase other assets, offset by $30.5 million of proceeds from the Escrow Release related to the sale of our Storage Business.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended February 24, 2017 was $12.7 million, consisting of long-term debt payments for both the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and the BNDES Credit Agreements, as well as payment for extinguishment of long-term debt. Net cash used in financing activities during fiscal 2016 was $10.9 million, consisting primarily of $16.7 million of long-term debt payments, offset by $5.8 million received under our BNDES Credit Agreements in Brazil. Net cash used in financing activities during fiscal 2015 was $32.6 million, consisting primarily of $28.3 million for distribution of share premium to our shareholders in connection with the Escrow Release, $13.3 million of long-term debt payments, $3.1 million for payment of costs related to our proposed initial public offering, $1.1 million of payments for the cancellation of options related to the Escrow Release and $0.9 million for strike price floor payments to optionholders as equitable adjustments required under the SGH Plan in connection with the Escrow Release, offset by $14.1 million received under our BNDES Credit Agreements in Brazil.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations as of February 24, 2017 (giving effect to the subsequent amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Agreement) are set forth below:

 

     Payments due by Period  
     1 year      2-3 years      4-5 years      After 5 years      Total  
     (in millions)  

Senior Secured Credit Agreement Debt

   $ 7.8      $ 208.2      $ —        $ —        $ 216.0  

Interest expense in connection with the Senior Secured Credit Agreement

     10.0        39.6        —          —          49.6  

BNDES Credit Agreements

     4.2        16.6        4.2        —          25.0  

Interest expense in connection with the BNDES Credit Agreements

     0.5        1.1        0.1        —          1.7  

Operating leases

     1.3        4.9        4.5        1.6       
12.3
 

Non-cancellable product purchase commitments

     43.5        —          —          —          43.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 67.3      $ 270.4      $ 8.8      $ 1.6      $ 348.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Senior Secured Credit Agreement

Certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries are borrowers under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement provided by a syndicate of bank lenders. The Senior Secured Credit Agreement provides for a $310.0 million senior secured term loan facility maturing on August 26, 2019 and a $50.0 million revolving facility also maturing on August 26, 2019. The Senior Secured Credit Agreement is jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior basis by certain of our other wholly owned subsidiaries, which we refer to, together with the borrowers under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, as the loan parties. In addition, the Senior Secured Credit Agreement is secured by a pledge of the capital stock of, or equity interests in, certain of our subsidiaries and by substantially all of the assets of certain of our subsidiaries. We are not a loan party under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement.

The Senior Secured Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants including, among other things, limitations on the loan parties’ ability to engage in certain transactions, incur debt, pay dividends and make investments. If letters of credit in excess of $1.0 million (not including any cash collateralized letters of credit) or any revolving loans are outstanding at the end of any fiscal quarter, then the secured net leverage ratio cannot exceed 4.5:1.0 as of the end of the applicable fiscal quarter. The borrowers under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement did not have any borrowings under the revolving facility and did not have letters of credit in excess of $1.0 million on any measurement date during the six months ended February 24, 2017 or in fiscal 2016 and 2015.

Loans under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an applicable margin plus, at the borrowers’ option, either (i) a LIBOR rate (with a floor of 1.25% on term loans and a floor of 1.00% on revolving loans), or (ii) a base rate (with a floor of 2.25% on term loans and a floor of 2.00% on revolving loans). The applicable margin for term loans with respect to LIBOR borrowings is 8.0% increasing to 8.75% on November 5, 2017 if there are balances still outstanding on the term loans on such date, and with respect to base rate borrowings is 7.0% increasing to 7.75% on November 5, 2017 if there are balances still outstanding on term loans on such date. The applicable margin for revolving loans adjusts every quarter based on the secured leverage ratio. The applicable margin for revolving loans with respect to LIBOR borrowings is in the range of 3.75% to 4.00% and the applicable margin for revolving loans with respect to base rate borrowings is in the range of 2.75% to 3.00%. Interest on base rate loans is payable on the last day of each fiscal February, May, August and November. Interest on LIBOR-based loans is payable every one, two, three, six, nine or twelve months after the date of each borrowing, dependent on the particular interest period selected with respect to such borrowing.

The Senior Secured Credit Agreement requires quarterly scheduled principal payments of term loans. During the six months ended February 24, 2017, and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, the borrowers made scheduled principal payments totaling $7.8 million, $13.3 million and $13.3 million, respectively. The remaining quarterly payments are in the amounts of $3.9 million per quarter through and including the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The balance of the principal amount then outstanding is due in full on the maturity date of August 26, 2019. The required principal payment amounts may be reduced by certain permitted prepayments of principal.

The borrowers have the right at any time to make optional prepayments of the principal amounts outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement. If there are balances still outstanding on the term loans as of November 5, 2017, the borrowers are obligated to pay a fee of $5 million in cash to term lenders of record as of November 5, 2016.

The Senior Secured Credit Agreement also requires certain mandatory prepayments of principal whereby the borrowers must prepay outstanding term loans, subject to certain exceptions, which includes, among other things:

 

   

75% of excess cash flow after each fiscal year if the secured leverage ratio is greater than 2.0:1.0; 50% of excess cash flow if the secured leverage ratio is greater than 1.5:1.0 but less than or equal to 2.0:1.0; 25% of excess cash flow if the secured leverage ratio is greater than 1.0:1.0 but less than or equal to

 

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1.5:1.0; and 0% of excess cash flow if the secured leverage ratio is less than or equal to 1.0:1.0, which amounts will be reduced by any permitted voluntary prepayments of principal made in the applicable fiscal year;

 

   

100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales or other dispositions of property of the borrower or any restricted subsidiary;

 

   

100% of the net cash proceeds from the incurrence of debt by any restricted subsidiary, other than proceeds from debt permitted to be incurred under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement (subject to certain customary exceptions); and

 

   

100% of any cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet at the end of any fiscal quarter, in excess of $25 million (such amount being subject to certain specified adjustments).

Early mandatory repayments of principle are applied in the reverse order of maturity.

In November 2016, we issued warrants, or the Lender Warrants, to purchase 3,467,571 of our ordinary shares to the term loan lenders, or the Warrant Holders, in connection with the amendment and restatement of our Senior Secured Credit Agreement. The Lender Warrants are exercisable at $0.03 per share, with 1,541,143 First Tranche Warrants currently exercisable. Upon the completion of this offering, the First Tranche Warrants will be deemed net exercised if not previously exercised, and the 1,926,428 Second Tranche Warrants, as amended in April 2017, will remain outstanding but will only become exercisable if there are balances outstanding under our existing term loans on November 5, 2017.

As of February 24, 2017, the outstanding principal balance of term loans under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement was $216.0 million, and there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving loan.

BNDES Credit Agreements

In December 2013, SMART Brazil, one of our Brazilian subsidiaries, entered into the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement. Under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement, a total of R$50.6 million (or $16.2 million) was made available to SMART Brazil for investments in infrastructure, research and development in Brazil and acquisitions of equipment not otherwise available in the Brazilian domestic market. Our obligations under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Itaú Bank, which guarantee is in turn secured by a guarantee from SMART Brazil and SMART do Brazil and a commitment by SMART Brazil to maintain minimum cash balances with Itaú Bank equal to 11.85% of the maximum aggregate balance of principal, interest and fees outstanding under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement. As of February 24, 2017, the committed amount was R$6.0 million (or $1.9 million), which is shown on our consolidated balance sheets as restricted cash.

Approximately half of the available debt under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement accrues interest at a fixed rate of 3.5% per annum while the other half accrues interest at a floating rate of 0.5% above the TJLP rate published by the Central Bank of Brazil, or BZTJLP, corresponding to an effective interest rate of 5.5% per annum. The facility under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement is a term loan fully amortizing in 48 equal monthly installments beginning on August 15, 2015 with the final principal payment being due on July 15, 2019.

As of February 24, 2017, our outstanding debt under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement was R$31.9 million (or $10.2 million), of which R$15.7 million (or $5.0 million) accrues interest at the fixed rate of 3.5% and R$16.2 million (or $5.2 million) accrues interest at the floating rate of 0.5% above BZTJLP (5.0%).

In December 2014, SMART Brazil entered into the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement. The BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement and the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement are collectively referred to as the BNDES Agreements. Under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement, a total of R$52.8 million (or $16.9 million) was made available to SMART Brazil for research and development conducted in Brazil related to IC packaging and for

 

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acquisitions of equipment not otherwise available in the Brazilian domestic market. SMART Brazil’s obligations under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement are also guaranteed by Itaú Bank, which guarantee is in turn secured by a guarantee from SMART Brazil and SMART do Brazil and a commitment by SMART Brazil to maintain minimum cash balances with Itaú Bank equal to 30.31% of the maximum aggregate balance of principal, interest and fees outstanding under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement, or approximately R$16.0 million (or $5.1 million) of required cash balances.

The available debt under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement accrues interest at a fixed rate of 4% per annum. The BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement is a term loan fully amortizing in 48 equal monthly installments beginning on August 15, 2016 with the final principal payment being due on July 15, 2020.

As of February 24, 2017, our outstanding debt under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement was R$46.2 million (or $14.8 million).

While the BNDES Agreements do not include any financial covenants, they contain affirmative and negative covenants customary for loans of this nature, including, among other things, an obligation to comply with all laws and regulations; a right for BNDES to terminate the loan in the event of a change of effective control; and a prohibition against the disposition or encumbrance, without BNDES consent, of intellectual property developed with the funds from the loans.

The future minimum principal payments under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and the BNDES Agreements as of February 24, 2017 are (in thousands):

 

     Senior
Secured
Credit
Agreement
               
        BNDES      Total  

Fiscal year ending August:

        

2017

   $ 7,750      $ 4,152      $ 11,902  

2018

     15,500        8,304        23,804  

2019

     192,760        8,308        201,068  

2020

     —          4,227        4,227  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 216,010      $ 24,991      $ 241,001  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Management Agreement

Under the Management Agreement, we record quarterly fees of $1.0 million plus out-of-pocket expenses. The Management Agreement will be terminated upon the completion of this offering. As of February 24, 2017, approximately $3.7 million remained due and payable in respect of past periods under the Management Agreement. We do not expect to pay fees that remain due and payable until after we have repaid the full amount of the term loans outstanding under the Secured Credit Agreement.

Tender Offer

On April 25, 2016, we offered the SGH Plan option holders the opportunity to exchange certain outstanding and unexercised options with exercise prices higher than $11.55 per share for new replacement options with the following terms: (a) an exercise price of $11.55 per share, (b) a lower number of shares based on pre-determined formula, (c) a vesting schedule of 2 years with 50% vesting on first anniversary and the balance vesting quarterly over the second year, and (d) a new ten-year term.

On May 23, 2016, the exchange, or the Tender Offer, was completed and resulted in 1,652,575 options being cancelled, in exchange for 811,277 replacement options. As a result of the Tender Offer, there was an

 

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option modification charge of $2.7 million to be expensed over the next two years, which is the vesting period of the replacement options.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. In addition, we do not have any undisclosed borrowings or debt, and we have not entered into any synthetic leases. We are, therefore, not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial conditions, net sales or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

Critical Accounting Policies

We believe the following critical accounting policies are the most significant to the presentation of our financial statements and they at times require the most difficult, subjective and complex estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Our product revenues are predominantly derived from the sale of specialty memory solutions, including memory modules, Flash memory cards and solid state storage products, which we design and manufacture. We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, product delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Product revenue typically is recognized at the time of shipment or when the customer takes title to the goods. Amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling are classified as sales, while costs incurred by us for shipping and handling are classified as cost of sales. Taxes, including value-added taxes, assessed by a government authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue producing transaction are excluded from revenue.

Our service revenues are derived from procurement, logistics, inventory management, temporary warehousing, kitting and packaging services. The terms of our contracts vary, but we generally recognize service revenue upon the completion of the contracted services. Our service revenue is accounted for on an agency basis. Service revenue for these arrangements is typically based on material procurement costs plus a fee for the services provided. We determine whether to report revenue on a net or gross basis depending on a number of factors, including whether we are the primary obligor in the arrangement, have general inventory risk, have the ability to set the price, have the ability to determine who the suppliers are, can physically change the product or have credit risk. Under some service arrangements, we retain inventory risk. All inventories held under service arrangements are included in the inventories reported on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

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The following is a summary of our gross billings to customers and net sales for services and products (in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended      Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
     February 26,
2016
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 

Service revenue, net

   $ 17,984      $ 22,088      $ 44,453      $ 40,235  

Cost of purchased materials—service (1)

     402,388        785,914        1,390,624        1,503,968  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross billings for services

     420,372        808,002        1,435,077        1,544,203  

Product net sales

     313,314        216,525        489,970        603,234  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross billings to customers

   $ 733,686      $ 1,024,527      $ 1,925,047      $ 2,147,437  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Product net sales

   $ 313,314      $ 216,525      $ 489,970      $ 603,234  

Service revenue, net

     17,984        22,088        44,453        40,235  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net sales

   $ 331,298      $ 238,613      $ 534,423      $ 643,469  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents cost of sales associated with service revenue reported on a net basis.

Inventory Valuation

At each balance sheet date, we evaluate our ending inventories for excess quantities and obsolescence. This evaluation includes analysis of sales levels by product family. Among other factors, we consider historical demand and forecasted demand in relation to the inventory on hand, competitiveness of product offerings, market conditions and product life cycles when determining obsolescence and net realizable value. We adjust the carrying values to approximate the lower of our manufacturing cost or net realizable value. Inventory cost is determined on a specific identification basis and includes material, labor and manufacturing overhead. From time to time, our customers may request that we purchase and maintain significant inventory of raw materials for specific programs. Such inventory purchases are evaluated for excess quantities and potential obsolescence and could result in a provision at the time of purchase or subsequent to purchase. Inventory levels may fluctuate based on inventory held under service arrangements. Our provisions for excess and obsolete inventory are also impacted by our arrangements with our customers and/or suppliers, including our ability or inability to re-sell such inventory to them. If actual market conditions or our customers’ product demands are less favorable than those projected or if our customers or suppliers are unwilling or unable to comply with any arrangements related to their purchase or sale of inventory, additional provisions may be required and would have a negative impact on our gross margins in that period. We have had material inventory write-downs in the past for reasons such as obsolescence, excess quantities and declines in market value below our costs, and we may be required to do so from time to time in the future. Our inventory write-downs were $1.8 million, $0.9 million, $1.8 million and $2.2 million for the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and net operating loss and credit carry-forwards. When necessary, a valuation allowance is recorded or reduced to value tax assets to amounts expected to be realized. The effect of changes in tax rates is recognized in the period in which the rate change occurs. U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes are not provided on that portion of unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are expected to be reinvested indefinitely.

After excluding ordinary losses in a tax jurisdiction for which no tax benefit can be recognized, we estimate our annual effective tax rate and apply such rate to year-to-date income, adjusting for unusual or infrequent items

 

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that are treated as discrete events in the period. We also evaluate our valuation allowance to determine if a change in circumstances causes a change in judgment regarding realization of deferred tax assets in future years. If the valuation allowance is adjusted as a result of a change in judgment regarding future years, that adjustment is recorded in the period of such change affecting our tax expense in that period.

The calculation of our tax liabilities involves accounting for uncertainties in the application of complex tax rules, regulations and practices. We recognize benefits for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition of a benefit (or the absence of a liability) by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position taken will be sustained upon audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. If it is not, in our judgment, more likely than not that the position will be sustained, then we do not recognize any benefit for the position. If it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, a second step in the process is required to estimate how much of the benefit we will ultimately receive. This second step requires that we estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts. We reevaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized, is $2.1 million for fiscal 2016. This evaluation is based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, new facts, correspondence with tax authorities during the course of an audit, effective settlement of audit issues and commencement of new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement could result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision in the period.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. As of February 24, 2017, the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets was $46.1 million and $11.1 million, respectively. Assets to be disposed are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell.

Share-Based Compensation

We recognize compensation costs related to share-based awards granted to employees based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant, net of estimated forfeitures. We estimate the grant date fair value, and the resulting share-based compensation expense, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The grant date fair value of the share-based awards is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective awards.

We have used the Black-Scholes valuation model to assist us in determining the fair value of share-based awards. The Black-Scholes model requires the use of subjective and highly complex assumptions which determine the fair value of share-based awards. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. The expected volatility is based on the historical volatilities of the common stock of comparable publicly traded companies. The expected term of options granted represents the weighted average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and the historical exercise patterns. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the average U.S. Treasury yield curve at the end of the quarter in which the option was granted.

 

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We used the following assumptions to value options granted under our SGH equity plan during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, and in fiscal 2016 and 2015:

 

     Six Months Ended      Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
     February 26,
2016
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 

Stock options:

           

Expected term (years)

     6.25        6.25        6.25        6.25  

Expected volatility

     54.41% - 55.75%        49.46% - 51.92%        49.46% - 56.00%        49.51% - 53.28%  

Risk-free interest rate

     1.96% - 2.01%        1.39% -1.82%        1.36% - 1.82%        1.49% - 1.72%  

Expected dividends

     —          —          —          —    

The following table sets forth our total share-based compensation expense during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended      Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
     February 26,
2016
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 

Cost of sales

   $ 268      $ 236      $ 461      $ 771  

Research and development

     445        382        725        844  

Selling, general and administrative

     1,431        1,405        2,686        4,517  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,144      $ 2,023      $ 3,872      $ 6,132  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair value of ordinary shares . The fair value of the ordinary shares underlying our share options for each of our equity plans has historically been determined by our board of directors. Because there has been no public market for our ordinary shares and in the absence of recent arm’s length cash sales transactions of our ordinary shares with independent third parties, our board of directors has determined the fair value of our ordinary shares by considering at the time of grant a number of objective and subjective factors, including the following: the value of tangible and intangible assets of our company, the present value of anticipated future cash flows of our company, the market value of stock or equity interests in similar corporations and other entities engaged in businesses substantially similar to those engaged in by our company, our current financial condition and anticipated expenses, our need for additional capital, current and potential strategic relationships and competitive developments and periodic valuations from an independent third-party valuation firm.

The valuations used the income, guideline and transaction approaches based on our expected future cash flows and applied a discount for lack of marketability. The guideline approach measures value on a minority-interest basis; the transaction and income approaches measure value on a controlling basis. This approach is outlined in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Practice Aid, “Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation” as the probability weighted expected return method. Enterprise values were calculated based on three exit scenarios, including an initial public offering, merger or acquisition, or M&A, and continuing to operate on a standalone basis. Each value was weighted equally together to arrive at an indicated enterprise value. In estimating the value of equities, management estimated a term for each of the initial public offering, M&A and continuing to operate on a stand-alone basis scenarios.

Following the completion of this offering, the fair value of our ordinary shares generally will be determined by reference to the closing sales price of a share of our ordinary shares on the grant date (or if there is no closing price as of such date, the last preceding date for which a closing sales price is quoted); provided, that with respect to any equity awards granted after the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, but prior to the date on which the shares subject to this offering are publicly traded, the fair value will be the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Our exposure to market rate risk includes risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, changes in interest rates and translation risk.

 

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Foreign Exchange Risks

We are subject to inherent risks attributed to operating in a global economy. Our international sales and our operations in foreign countries subject us to risks associated with fluctuating currency values and exchange rates. Because a portion of our sales are denominated in United States dollars, increases in the value of the United States dollar could increase the price of our products so that they become relatively more expensive to customers in a particular country, possibly leading to a reduction in sales and profitability in that country. A significant portion of the sales of our products are denominated in reais . In addition, we have certain costs that are denominated in foreign currencies, and decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar could result in increases in such costs that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. We do not currently purchase financial instruments to hedge foreign exchange risk, but may do so in the future.

As a result of our international operations, we generate a portion of our net sales and incur a portion of our expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, particularly the reais . Approximately 47%, 46% and 52% of our net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively, originated in reais . We present our combined financial statements in U.S. dollars, and we must translate the assets, liabilities, net sales and expenses of a substantial portion of our foreign operations into U.S. dollars at applicable exchange rates. Consequently, increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar may affect the value of these items with respect to our non-U.S. dollar businesses in our combined financial statements, even if their value has not changed in their local currency. Our customer pricing and material cost of sales are based on U.S. dollars, as is the global market for memory products. Accordingly, the impact of currency fluctuations to our consolidated statement of operations is primarily to our other costs of sales (i.e., non-material components) and our operating expenses as those items are typically denominated in local currency. Our consolidated statement of operations is also impacted by foreign currency gains and losses recorded in Other Income (Expense) arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the respective subsidiary. These translations could significantly affect the comparability of our results between financial periods or result in significant changes to the carrying value of our assets, liabilities and equity. As a result, changes in foreign currency exchange rates impact our reported results.

During the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, we recorded $0.3 million, $1.1 million, and ($10.7) million, respectively, of foreign exchange gains (losses). The loss in fiscal 2015 was primarily related to the devaluation of the Brazilian real associated with the corruption scandal in fiscal 2015.

Interest Rate Risk

We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our long-term and short-term debt, including the $216.0 million aggregate balance under the term loan under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, R$31.9 million (or $10.2 million) balance under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement and R$46.2 million (or $14.8 million) balance under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement, in each case as of February 24, 2017. Although we did not have any revolving balances outstanding as of February 24, 2017, the revolving facility under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement provides for borrowings of up to $50 million that would also bear interest at variable rates. Assuming that we will satisfy the financial covenants required to borrow and that the Senior Secured Credit Agreement is fully drawn and other variables are held constant, each 1.0% increase in interest rates on our variable rate borrowings would result in an increase in annual interest expense and a decrease in our cash flow and income before taxes of $2.8 million per year.

Inflation Risk

We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. If our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures, we may not be able to fully offset such higher costs through price increases. Our inability or failure to do so could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

We are a global leader in specialty memory solutions, serving the electronics industry for over 25 years. As part of our global business, we have established a leading market position, as measured by market share, in Brazil as the largest in-country manufacturer of memory for desktops, notebooks and servers, as well as mobile memory for smartphones. We also have a leading market position worldwide, as measured by revenue, in specialty memory where we work closely with OEM customers to develop memory solutions, which incorporate customer-specific requirements. We believe our customers rely on us as a strategic supplier due to our customer-specific designs, product quality and technical support, our global footprint and, in Brazil, our ability to provide locally manufactured memory products. We also provide customized, integrated supply chain services to certain OEM customers to assist them in the management and execution of their procurement processes. Our global, diversified customer base includes over 250 end customers such as Cisco, Samsung, HPE, Dell and LG.

Since 2002, when we commenced our operations in Brazil, we have invested over $170 million to build and improve our advanced manufacturing facilities and have assembled and trained a staff of over 480 employees, who comprise many of the leading semiconductor technology professionals in the country. In Brazil, we process imported wafers and cut, package and test them to create memory components used to manufacture modules and other memory and Flash-based products. We are the only company engaged in packaging and test for mobile memory for smartphones in Brazil. We have a strategic, long-term relationship with a global memory wafer supplier that has provided us with a stable source of competitively priced wafers for the Brazilian market and provides our supplier with access to that market through our in-country infrastructure and capabilities.

Our business in Brazil has historically focused on DRAM components and modules for desktops, notebooks and servers, where local content and tax regulations provide substantial financial incentives to our customers to procure locally manufactured memory products, particularly when they are made with locally processed components. We have leveraged our experience and success in these markets to expand into mobile memory, primarily for smartphones, which include eMMC and eMCP, where additional local content requirements and tax incentives have been introduced. During the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, these mobile memory products accounted for 69%, 65% and 29%, respectively, of our net sales in Brazil. Based on expected unit sales for mobile phones in Brazil provided by ITData Consultoria, taking into account our average selling price of approximately $17.09 per eMCP for mobile memory during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, we believe that the total addressable market for locally produced mobile memory for mobile phones in Brazil will reach approximately $499 million by 2019. We have also demonstrated our ability to service the smartphone market in Brazil as we are now qualified at seven of the top ten mobile vendors in Brazil representing, according to ITData Consultoria, 87% of the mobile phones sold in Brazil in calendar 2016.

The Brazilian government has a long history of utilizing local content requirements to promote job creation, sustain economic growth and increase the competitiveness of various domestic industries. Local content requirements have been important in the development of numerous industries in Brazil, including automotive, oil and gas, aerospace, healthcare and IT. Beginning in 1991, local content regulation was introduced to vitalize Brazil’s IT industry. Specifically, requirements for locally manufactured memory have been in place for over 22 years and have increased significantly over time as manufacturing capacity has increased. For example, in notebooks, the requirement for locally manufactured DRAM ICs has increased from 30% in 2010 to 80% in 2016, which means that 80% of the DRAM modules purchased by an OEM in 2016 for use in notebooks for the Brazil market must contain ICs locally manufactured in order for the OEM to qualify for certain tax benefits. As a result of the proliferation of mobile devices, the requirement for locally manufactured embedded memory for smartphones was introduced in March 2014, which has increased from 15% in 2014 to 50% in 2017 and is expected to increase to 60% in 2018. While qualified suppliers are allowed to import a relatively small portion of this requirement with minimal local processing, we are the only company currently qualified that can package

 

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and test these products locally. With the local content requirements for various IT products increasing, we believe that our local manufacturing capabilities provide a valuable and differentiated offering to our OEM customers in Brazil. We also believe that our long-term relationships with many of these customers as the largest supplier of locally manufactured memory products provides us with stability and visibility for our Brazilian business, as well as significant growth prospects.

In our specialty memory solutions business, we focus on providing extensive customer-specific design, manufacturing, technical support and value-added testing services that differ from the core focus of standard memory module providers. We collaborate closely with our global OEM customers throughout their design process and across multiple projects to create memory solutions for demanding applications with differentiated requirements, such as specific form factors, higher density, lower power, specific firmware or greater durability and reliability compared to standard memory modules. We target opportunities where we believe we can be a primary supplier of longer-lifecycle memory solutions to OEM customers for diverse and growing end markets within the networking, communications, storage, industrial, medical and automotive industries. In our specialty memory solutions business, we offer an extensive portfolio of over 2,000 products, which includes all generations of DRAM, as well as embedded and removable Flash, enterprise memory and hybrid volatile and non-volatile memory solutions. We also offer customized, integrated supply chain services to enable our customers to manage supply chain planning and execution, which reduces costs and increases productivity. Our supply chain services are based on our proprietary software platform that we develop and are integrated with our customers’ respective procurement management systems as well as our suppliers’ distribution management systems.

We believe our close collaboration with customers, customer-specific designs, long-lifecycle solutions and proprietary supply chain services create significant customer attachment, allow us to identify new opportunities for growth and provide us with a high level of relative visibility and stability through macroeconomic cycles. Furthermore, we believe our business has relatively low capital expenditure requirements, and we have been able to leverage a flexible cost structure to maintain generally stable margins throughout market cycles.

We sell our solutions directly to a diversified base of global OEMs. Our top ten end customers, five of which have been our end customers for over a decade, accounted for 81% and 75% of our net sales in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our global sales channel consists of a direct sales force supported by a broad network of independent sales representatives located throughout North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. Our integrated sales process incorporates our direct sales force and customer service representatives and a high level of involvement from our senior executives. Our on-site field application engineers, or FAEs, collaborate with our OEM customers and provide us with insight into their product roadmaps, allowing us to identify opportunities to grow our business. The combination of our integrated sales network with our FAEs allows us to be more responsive to each customer’s unique requirements, enabling us to navigate the complex qualification processes at leading global OEMs. We believe our strong and often longstanding relationships with our customers reinforce our competitive position.

Our Industry

We believe that significant opportunities exist across the major markets in which our business operates due to the increasing global demand for existing and next generation memory technologies and OEM requirements for high quality and reliability backed by premium service and support. We believe that a number of trends are driving the expansion of our market opportunity in Brazil and elsewhere:

Memory continues to be critical to system performance . With the growth in mobility, cloud computing and data intensive applications, the importance of and demand for memory continues to increase. According to IDC, worldwide demand for DRAM and NAND Flash memory units will increase by 117% and 358%, respectively, when comparing 2021 to 2016. The increasing diversity of demanding applications requires memory solutions tailored to meet these varying and growing needs. Memory density also continues to increase. We believe that 8Gb die will be the next leading DRAM density, which will drive DRAM bit growth. According to IDC, 8Gb die

 

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will account for 40% of worldwide DRAM bit shipments in 2017, up from 7% in 2015. IDC forecasts that 8Gb die will grow rapidly in 2018, with 8Gb die accounting for 49% of worldwide DRAM bit shipments by 2018. Higher memory densities, lower power requirements and increasingly smaller form factors are especially important in mobile and embedded devices, where high performance and lower power consumption are critical.

Stabilization of DRAM market . Industry consolidation, increased capital expenditure requirements, continued technology advancements and the shift in new production from DRAM to NAND have stabilized global DRAM supply and pricing in recent years. Furthermore, according to IDC, the top three DRAM suppliers are estimated to have 94% of the worldwide market share in 2016. In addition, an IDC report shows an increase in worldwide DRAM demand being driven by widening applications as usage of DRAM for smartphones is increasing along with worldwide consumption of DRAM for desktops, notebooks and servers. We believe this trend is expected to continue through at least 2021. Continuous advancements in process geometries require significant capital investments, making it difficult for new entrants and for existing suppliers to increase memory supply. According to IDC, while DRAM unit consumption is expected to be higher in 2021 than in 2016, worldwide DRAM revenue for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 is expected to be $41.2 billion, $54.6 billion, $47.5 billion, $45.3 billion, $45.5 billion and $44.4 billion, respectively, which is a significant reduction in the historic volatility experienced in the DRAM market.

Flash memory market continues to grow . Flash consumption is driven by the growth in demand for smartphones, SSDs for notebooks, servers and cloud computing, and other NAND based applications. According to IDC, the worldwide NAND market is expected to grow from $31.9 billion in 2016 to $44.6 billion by 2021, representing a 6.9% CAGR.

Increasing memory demand for smartphones in Brazil . Consumer demand for smartphones in Brazil is expected to grow, supported by the growing middle class, improvement in cellular and wireless infrastructure and current low levels of penetration of mobile devices. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the Brazilian middle class is expected to expand from 41% of the population, or 76 million people, in 2005, to 58% of the population, or 127 million people, by 2025. As a result, smartphone penetration is expected to increase. According to ITData Consultoria, sales of mobile phones in Brazil are expected to reach 53.5 million units in 2018 (a 6.7% increase over 2016) and to grow to 56.0 million units in 2020, with smartphones sales expected to account for 50.0 million units in 2018 (a 12% increase over 2016) and 53.5 million units in 2020. We expect this increase in smartphone penetration to drive a corresponding increase in the demand for mobile memory components and modules.

Increasing local content requirements in Brazil and other incentives. Local content requirements have been central to the Brazilian regulatory environment since the 1960s. These regulations are aimed at promoting job creation, sustaining economic growth and increasing the competitiveness of various domestic industries, and have helped enable a significant expansion of the Brazilian middle class. Local content requirements have been instrumental in the development of numerous key industries in Brazil, including automotive, oil and gas, aerospace, healthcare and IT. For example, local content regulation in Brazil’s automotive industry has helped the country become the world’s eighth largest automotive market and tenth largest producer of cars and commercial vehicles in 2016, according to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers. Once implemented, Brazil’s local content requirements have been generally maintained or increased over time. In 2012, regulations were passed that require that automotive companies perform certain manufacturing activities in Brazil, and the granting of tax relief is conditioned on the amount of local content applied within the manufacturing process.

In the IT industry, government programs have been introduced to incentivize manufacturers to establish and expand their operations in Brazil and to incentivize OEMs to purchase locally manufactured components for their products.

 

   

Lei da Informática—Processo Produtivo Básico (PPB/IT Program), 1991 : Provides for significant tax benefits for companies that develop or produce computing and automation goods locally and invest in

 

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IT-related research and development in Brazil. The PPB/IT Program requirements for local content are published publicly on a periodic basis and typically include the requirements for the three to four-year period following publication. The PPB/IT Program requirements for locally sourced memory components from calendar years 2008 to 2019 are set forth below.

 

Local Content Requirements

 

PPB/IT Program Requirements for PC and
Server Memory

  2008     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     2014     2015     2016     2017     2018     2019  

Notebook DRAM

  IC Packaging     0     30     30     40     50     60     80     80     80     80     80     80

Desktop DRAM

  IC Packaging     10     10     10     10     10     30     50     60     80     80     80     80

Server DRAM

  IC Packaging     80     80     80     80     80     80     80     80     80     80     80     80

PPB/IT Program Requirements for Mobile
Memory

  2008     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     2014     2015     2016     2017     2018     2019  

Notebook SSD

  IC Packaging     0     0     0     35     40     30     40     40     40     40     40     40

SSD Module

  Flash IC Packaging     0     0     0     0     0     40     60     80     30     40     60     80

Mobile/Smartphones

  microSD Cards     0     0     0     0     5     5     10     20     40     50     50     50
  All Other Memory
Types (1)
    0     0     0     0     0     0     5     20     40     50     60 % (2)       60 % (2)  

PPB/IT Program Requirements for TV

  2008     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     2014     2015     2016     2017     2018     2019  

TV

  IC Packaging     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     30     40     40     40

 

(1) Includes mobile DRAM, eMMC and eMCP.
(2) For mobile memory components, 60% has been recommended by the ministries for 2018 and 2019 but is still subject to final approval.

Source: Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Interministerial Ordinances 287/2014, 85/2014, 239/2016, 179/2016, 141/2015, 263/2014, 14/2016 and 21/2017 and Public Consultation 36/16.

OEMs that are PPB/IT Program-compliant and who fulfill the above local content requirements receive substantial benefits, including a reduction in excise taxes on their purchases from qualified suppliers as well as a reduction in the taxes that they are required to charge on sales to their end customers. We estimate that the aggregate of the PPB/IT Program-related tax benefits is around 28% of the resale value of the OEM’s end products. These tax benefits provide a strong incentive for OEMs to purchase products from local content manufacturers such as us. Local content requirements for mobile memory products for smartphones increased from 25% in 2015 to 50% in 2017 and is expected to increase to 60% in 2018.

Other tax incentives introduced to incentivize manufacturers to establish and expand their operations in Brazil, include the following:

 

   

Lei do Bem, 2005: Fosters technology innovation in Brazil by providing a reduction in corporate income tax through allowance of expenses related to research and development activities.

 

   

PADIS, 2007, extended in 2016: Awards incentives and provides significant tax relief, including reductions in the Brazilian aggregate statutory income tax rates, to semiconductor and display companies that invest in research and development and that promote the development, design, test and packaging processes in Brazil. Furthermore, combining PADIS and PPB/IT Program-compliance provides additional financial incentives to OEMs that purchase modules containing components that are locally processed from wafers.

In 2013, the EU, later joined by Japan, requested the establishment of a panel within the WTO to determine whether certain measures enacted by the Brazilian government concerning tax incentives and local content requirements for the automotive sector and several other industries including the IT industry and including PADIS, the PPB/IT Program and Lei do Bem, are inconsistent with WTO rules. The panel was formed, hearings were held and in December 2016, the WTO circulated its report to the parties. This report is subject to feedback from the parties and has not been released to the public. While we cannot predict the outcome of the WTO’s decision, a negative ruling could result in significant adverse changes to the local content rules and incentives available to us and our customers in Brazil. Any suspension, early termination or other adverse change in the

 

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local content requirements could significantly reduce the demand for, and the profit margins on, our products in Brazil, and would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe our core competitive strengths include:

Strong presence in Brazil. We are the largest local manufacturer of DRAM components and DRAM modules for the desktop, notebook and server markets in Brazil as measured by market share. We are also the first company to develop manufacturing capabilities for Flash-based products in Brazil, where we are the leading manufacturer of mobile memory products, such as mobile DRAM, eMMC and eMCP. We benefit from having a first mover advantage in Brazil (having invested over $170 million in the country since 2002 to build and improve our advanced manufacturing facilities) and understand government initiatives and how to navigate regulatory requirements to benefit our company and our customers. We believe we are well positioned to maintain our established leadership in Brazil’s memory market and to extend our leadership in the growing mobile memory market.

Our experience in Brazil has helped us develop expertise in semiconductor technology and advanced manufacturing that allows us to be a trusted local supplier to OEMs. We have demonstrated our ability to produce solutions with shrinking geometries and increasing complexity. In addition, we benefit from a strategic wafer supply relationship that has provided us with a strong, continuous supply of competitively priced wafers for use in the local market. Through this relationship, our collaboration on technology and processes with key suppliers and our continued capital investment, we strive to maintain our advanced manufacturing capabilities and operate at a high level of efficiency with capabilities and scale that are difficult for a competitor to replicate. We have also made significant investments in assembling and training a staff of over 480 employees who comprise many of the leading semiconductor technology professionals in the country.

Well positioned to benefit from Brazilian local content regulations. Increasing local content requirements help drive our growth strategy in Brazil. For example, local content requirements for mobile memory products for smartphones increased from 25% in 2015 to 50% in 2017 and is expected to increase to 60% in 2018. While qualified suppliers are allowed to import a relatively small portion of this requirement with minimal local processing, we are the only company currently qualified that can package and test these products locally. Global suppliers of memory components and modules not manufactured in Brazil cannot address the local content purchasing requirements of OEM customers selling products in Brazil. As a result of our infrastructure, scale and capabilities in Brazil, we have a significant advantage in being able to satisfy these local content requirements.

Business model focused on specialized markets and strong customer collaboration. The complexity of applications today requires sophisticated memory solutions with a high degree of specialization and customization to fulfill the requirements of OEMs. In specialty memory, we focus on opportunities in markets that feature products with longer life cycles (typically five to seven years), specialized form factors and customized firmware which typically require intensive and time consuming qualification processes and create high switching costs for our customers. Our research and development teams are closely aligned with our customers, and this collaboration enables early stage adoption of our solutions and significant visibility into our customers’ product roadmaps. Our global supply chain services also foster further customer attachment. Our high level of collaboration and integration with our customers make it difficult, costly and time consuming for them to switch to an alternative supplier.

Global footprint and delivery network. We are located near many of our largest customers and their manufacturing partners around the world, offering extensive global manufacturing, engineering and supply chain management capabilities. We have three manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Brazil and Malaysia; eight facilities with engineering and research and development operations located in five countries; and employees located in nine countries across the world. Our established global network of component sources

 

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helps to ensure that our pricing remains competitive and that we are able to provide a stable source of supply for our customers.

Advanced manufacturing capabilities. We have invested in facilities and processes tailored to meet the exacting demands and specialized requirements of our OEM customers while maintaining a high level of efficiency, quality and productivity. Our advanced processes enable us to provide quick turnaround to meet our customer demands. Our extensive quality control programs and sophisticated test capabilities help to ensure a low defect rate and, for markets that require it, we offer reliability testing and screening substantially above standard industry practices. Our advanced manufacturing capabilities and processes are International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, 9001:2008, 14001:2004 and Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series, or OHSAS, 18001:2007 compliant, and our manufacturing facilities have been audited for compliance with the standards of the Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition, or EICC, which is increasingly a requirement of major global OEMs.

Flexible operating model. We believe our operating model has enabled us to maintain margins that are more stable than those of many of the largest memory manufacturers, as such memory manufacturers own their own wafer fabs which are extremely costly to build. Our advanced manufacturing capabilities are focused on packaging and test of ICs after they are produced in wafer form at a wafer fab. As we do not own or operate our own wafer fabs, we have low capital expenditures relative to semiconductor manufacturers. Our business also is characterized by low fixed costs. Both factors have helped us maintain generally stable margins through market cycles.

Ability to manage complex supply chains at scale . Our need to manage complex supply chains helped us develop our proprietary software platform, utilized by a team of dedicated professionals to meet the specific needs of our customers. We integrate our proprietary software platform with our customers’ procurement management as well as our suppliers’ distribution management systems to enable supply chain planning and execution, which lowers costs and increases efficiency. We believe this ability to manage complex supply chains at scale helps our customers minimize inventory levels while ensuring timely supply of material.

Proven management team with history of execution. We have an experienced and long-serving senior management team with an average tenure of approximately 18 years. The management team has a successful track record of operating the business through many market cycles and industry changes. Our senior management team has deep relationships throughout the sector and extensive knowledge of the global memory market as well as the Brazilian IT industry and regulatory environment.

Our Strategy

Our goals are to further strengthen our leadership position in the design, manufacture and supply of specialty memory solutions for leading OEMs and to pursue opportunities for growth in existing and new markets. We are pursuing the following strategies to achieve our goals:

Maintain our existing leadership in Brazil and enhance our manufacturing capabilities. We plan to continue to invest in our Brazilian desktop, notebook and server DRAM businesses to ensure that we are well positioned to maintain our leadership in these markets. We are enhancing our manufacturing capabilities to meet the increasing technological requirements of improved and new generations of DRAM devices needed to address the demand for our memory products manufactured in Brazil. We expect these enhancements to enable us to improve efficiencies, increase yields and advance our competitive position in our core DRAM businesses.

Capture growing mobile memory market in Brazil. We expect to continue to leverage our experience and success in our desktop, notebook and server DRAM business to capitalize upon high-growth markets for mobile memory. We will seek to grow our market share with OEMs that are currently utilizing imported mobile memory components to manufacture smartphones in Brazil, as local content requirements for mobile memory components, such as eMMC, eMCP and mobile DRAM, increased from 40% in 2016 to 50% in 2017 and is expected to increase to 60% in 2018. In December 2013 and again in December 2014, one of our subsidiaries in

 

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Brazil obtained financing from BNDES to purchase capital equipment and invest in further expansion of our operations in Brazil. We utilized much of the proceeds from the BNDES Agreements to purchase capital equipment and expand our manufacturing capabilities to capture growth opportunities in the mobile memory market. We believe our investments in infrastructure, customer relationships and broad set of solutions position us to capitalize on growing mobile memory demand and increasing local content requirements.

Maintain our leadership in specialty memory. We intend to remain a leader among specialty memory suppliers. We will continue to focus on delivering innovative solutions to help our customers improve functionality, enhance their supply chain, reduce costs and accelerate their time-to-market. To ensure we can meet the demands of our existing customers, we will continue to invest in research and development, our facilities and our workforce, especially as our new product offerings in DDR4 and embedded Flash memory continue to ramp.

Expand our total addressable market by offering innovative new products and by capitalizing on new market opportunities . We intend to leverage our experience and capabilities to launch new products and expand into new markets. We believe this will allow us to further penetrate our existing customers as well as increase the number of customers that we serve. Our strategy is based on providing specialized products that require levels of service and support that larger semiconductor manufacturers often do not provide. As part of this strategy, we introduced eMMC products for networking, communications, industrial and medical markets, where we expect strong growth for eMMC solutions. We believe that our long-term customer and supplier relationships provide a key advantage in gaining entry into new markets. In addition, we recently added memory solutions for SmartTVs to our product offerings in Brazil. We plan to continue investing in innovation in strategic areas, such as Flash and solid state storage and the evolving technology transition to DDR4.

Expand our global coverage. Devices and applications using memory are required in every region of the world, requiring OEMs to maintain a global supply chain to meet that demand. In addition to the United States and Brazil, we plan to increase our presence internationally and target new OEM and ODM customers in Europe and Asia.

Our Products and Services

We design, manufacture and supply specialty memory solutions for leading OEMs worldwide. By working closely with our customers we are able to deliver technically advanced products designed to meet their specific needs. As a result of close collaboration with our customers and suppliers, we are able to design competitive solutions to satisfy our customers’ memory and storage requirements, shorten their time-to-market and enhance the performance of their end products. We also offer a wide array of integrated supply chain services to enable our customers to manage supply chain planning and execution, which reduces costs and increases productivity.

 

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Category

  

Description

  

SMART Product

Brazil    DRAM Components   

Modules for desktops, notebooks and

  

• DRAM ICs

   DRAM Modules    servers and ICs for SmartTVs   

• RDIMM,UDIMM,SODIMM,DIMM

   Flash Components   

Mobile DRAM and Flash

  

• Flash ICs

   Mobile Memory   

products for mobile devices

  

• LPDDR3, eMMC, eMCP

• Flash FBGA

• Flash: LGA /microSD /UFD

• Flash: SSD

 

Specialty Memory

  

 

DRAM

  

 

Specialty DRAM modules:

• DDR4

• DDR3

• DDR2

• DDR

• PC133/100

• FPM/EDO

• SDRAM

  

 

• NVDIMM

• LRDIMM

• FBDIMM

• RDIMM

• UDIMM

• SO-DIMM

• Mini-DIMM

• XR-DIMM

• MIP: Module in a package

  

 

Flash

  

 

Embedded and Removable NAND Flash:

• SLC

• MLC

  

 

• eMMC

• Compact Flash: CF card, CFast

• SATA: mSATA, SATA Slim, iSATA, uSATA

• 2.5” SSD, M.2

• EFD: Embedded flash drive

• USB: eUSB, Enterprise USBMK

• SD cards

• microSD cards

• M.2 PCIe NVMe

 

Supply Chain Services

  

 

Supply Chain Services

  

 

Customized, integrated supply chain services to assist customers in the management and execution of their procurement processes

  

 

• Procurement

• Inventory management

• Temporary warehousing

• Kitting

• Packaging services

• Programming

DRAM

In Brazil, we process imported wafers and cut, package and test them to create DRAM memory components used to manufacture modules and other products. We also manufacture standard, high-volume DRAM modules for desktop, notebook and server applications. In 2014, we began to manufacture mobile DRAM components to address new markets in Brazil for mobile products, such as smartphones.

In our specialty memory solutions business, we offer an extensive lineup of DRAM modules utilizing a wide range of DRAM technologies from legacy Synchronous DRAM to double-data-rate, or DDR, DDR2, DDR3 and leading-edge, high-performance DDR4 DRAM devices. These modules encompass a broad range of form factors and functions, including dual in-line memory modules, or DIMMs, nonvolatile DIMMs, load reducing DIMMs, registered DIMMs, unbuffered DIMMs, small outline dual in-line memory modules, and mini-DIMMs and XR-DIMMs for industrial, communications and networking applications. These memory modules come in configurations of up to 288 pins and densities of up to 128 gigabytes. We utilize advanced printed circuit board and device packaging/stacking technologies to achieve cost-effective high-density solutions. We also develop specialized memory module designs based on specific OEM requirements. We employ extensive software based electrical and thermal simulations in the design of DDR, DDR2, DDR3 and DDR4 DIMMs and test those designs on high-end functional testers utilizing a broad set of test suites. These products are designed to meet the quality requirements of enterprise class systems pursuant to stringent specifications required by various high speed applications described above.

 

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Flash

In Brazil, we have in the past three years begun to process wafers to create Flash components. We use these components to manufacture eMMC and eMCP products to address the markets for mobile products in Brazil, including smartphones.

In our specialty memory solutions business, we design and manufacture Flash memory products in a variety of form factors and capacities. Our wide range of Flash memory products includes CompactFlash, SD/micro SD Cards and PCIe configurations. We also offer USB products in removal key and embedded configurations, and Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, or SATA, products in mSATA, SATA Slim, iSATA, uSATA, M.2 and 2.5” form factors. Our Flash modules are predominantly used in communications equipment, aerospace, automotive, industrial, defense, printers, servers and storage, switches and routers. Additionally, we are developing a line of eMMCs to address industrial, medical and networking specialty memory markets.

Supply Chain Services

We also offer supply chain services, including procurement, logistics, inventory management, temporary warehousing, programming, kitting and packaging services. We tailor our supply chain service offerings to meet the specific needs of our customers to enable our customers to manage supply chain planning and execution, which reduces costs and increases productivity. Our supply chain services are based on our proprietary software platform that we develop, which are then integrated with our customers’ respective procurement management systems as well as our suppliers’ distribution management systems. Our global footprint allows us to provide these services to our customers and their manufacturing partners in many regions of the world. Our global inventory management capabilities allow us to manage a vast array of customer and supplier part numbers across our worldwide manufacturing and logistics hubs, helping our customers minimize inventory levels while maintaining reliable delivery and availability of supply. In fiscal 2016, we processed over 1.9 million transactions with an aggregate value of $1.4 billion. We believe that our close collaboration with customers on proprietary supply chain services increases the switching costs and the level of attachment of our specialty memory customers.

Manufacturing and Test

Manufacturing

We have manufacturing facilities in Atibaia, Brazil; Newark, California; and Penang, Malaysia. Our manufacturing facilities have been ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 certified. Additionally, we are a member of the EICC, and our manufacturing facilities are compliant with the EICC Code of Conduct, which is increasingly a business requirement of global OEM customers. We believe that our manufacturing operations have benefited from our many years of design experience and our existing library of proven designs which stress high manufacturability and quality. Over 25 years of manufacturing experience enables us to quickly move from manufacturing initiation to full production volumes of new products which is paramount in helping our customers achieve rapid time-to-market for their new product introductions. As a result of our design efficiencies, high level of automation and expertise in utilizing advanced manufacturing processes, we achieve high manufacturing yields and reduced direct labor costs and offer our customers quick turnaround of both small and large production orders, which is a key factor in enabling our build-to-order model.

While we do not own or operate wafer fabs, we have capabilities for subsequent stages of the product manufacturing cycle. Our manufacturing capabilities in Brazil consist of receiving unmounted ICs in wafer form from third-party wafer fabs, preparing and packaging the ICs into semiconductor components, testing the components, and in some cases placing these components on substrates or printed circuit boards to make modules or multi-chip packages. Our advanced manufacturing capabilities have enabled us to become the largest local manufacture of DRAM components and DRAM modules for the desktop, notebook and server markets in Brazil, as measured by market share. In recent years, we have expanded our manufacturing capabilities to enable us to manufacture mobile DRAM components and products as well as to process Flash wafers to manufacture

 

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NAND components. We also manufacture various Flash-based products, including eMCP and eMMC products. Through our investments and experience in Brazil, we have developed expertise in semiconductor technology and advanced manufacturing that allows us to manufacture products with shrinking geometries and increasing complexity. We continue to make significant capital investments to expand our manufacturing capabilities and operate at a high level of efficiency.

Test

Product testing is an important aspect of our manufacturing operations and we believe that we have established substantial technical expertise in the testing of products for high-end applications. Our extensive testing capabilities not only help to ensure a low defect rate, but they also enable us, in certain situations, to sell specialized testing as an additional service. We test our products for full functionality and we design customer-specific testing processes that differ from the core focus of standard memory module providers. We have achieved stringent quality targets across a broad spectrum of system applications and customer-specific designs. Our staff includes experienced test engineers who have developed proprietary testing routines and parameters which, combined with our advanced test equipment, enable us to diagnose problems in components as well as in system design, and enable us to characterize the performance of new products and to provide high quality products in volume.

We employ extensive software-based electrical and thermal simulations in the design of DDR, DDR2, DDR3 and DDR4 modules and test those designs on high-end functional testers utilizing a broad set of test suites. These tests are designed to meet the quality requirements of enterprise class systems pursuant to stringent specifications required by various high speed applications. We also conduct design verification testing of hardware and firmware as well as system integration and reliability testing. We work to continually improve our test routines and associated software and have recently developed a high-volume, fully automated reliability testing and screening capability substantially beyond standard industry practices that enables us to reduce the occurrence of early life failures and weak module fallout which can save our customers from the often significant expenses associated with replacing products that fail after their field deployment.

Customers

Our principal end customers include global OEMs that compete in the computing, networking, communications, storage, aerospace, defense, mobile and industrial markets. Overall, we served more than 250 end customers in fiscal 2016. During the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, sales to our ten largest end customers (including sales to contract manufacturers or ODMs at the direction of such end customers) accounted for 77%, 81% and 75% of net sales, respectively. Of our end customers, Samsung accounted for 18%, 13% and 11% of net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively; Cisco accounted for 15%, 19% and 16% of net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively; Lenovo accounted for 13% of net sales in fiscal 2016; HP accounted for 14% of net sales in fiscal 2015 (in fiscal 2016, HP undertook a spin-off and divided into two distinct companies, following which neither company accounted for 10% or more of our net sales); and Dell accounted for 15% of net sales in fiscal 2015. Direct sales to Samsung accounted for 18%, 13% and 11% of net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively; direct sales to Flex accounted for 17% of net sales in fiscal 2016; direct sales to Hon Hai accounted for 11%, 11% and 11% of net sales during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively; and direct sales to Dell accounted for 15% of net sales in fiscal 2015. During these periods, no other customers accounted for more than 10% of our net sales. Our longstanding relationship with Cisco, spanning approximately 20 years, exists within multiple business units and engineering organizations within Cisco. Our products are manufactured on a build-to-order basis for OEMs. Our sales are made primarily pursuant to customer purchase orders and are not based on long-term supply agreements. Most of our business is on a purchase order basis; accordingly, we have limited backlog and we do not believe our backlog is material or indicative of anticipated net sales.

 

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Suppliers

To address the needs of our customers, we have developed and maintained relationships with leading semiconductor suppliers located in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Our semiconductor suppliers include many of the world’s largest memory manufacturers including Samsung, Micron, SK Hynix and Toshiba. We frequently work jointly with our suppliers in bidding for customers’ design-in opportunities. We also work closely with our suppliers to better ensure that materials are available and delivered on time. Our established global network of component sources helps to ensure that our pricing remains competitive and that we are able to provide a stable source of supply for our customers.

We believe that our longstanding relationships with leading suppliers put us in a favorable position to procure sufficient quantities of materials, including during periods of industry shortages. Our flexible and responsive global manufacturing capabilities, inventory management systems and global IT system allow us to cost-effectively move materials from one site to another and often deploy what might otherwise be excess inventory among other products and OEM customers. We purchase almost all of our materials, including wafers used in our memory products in Brazil, from our suppliers on a purchase order basis and generally do not have long-term commitments from suppliers.

Sales, Support and Marketing

We primarily sell our products directly to global OEMs through our direct sales force located across North America, Latin America, Asia and Europe. Our sales and marketing efforts are conducted through an integrated process incorporating our direct sales force, customer service representatives and our FAEs with a network of independent sales representatives. Our sales and marketing efforts also include a high level of involvement from our senior executives. Larger OEM customers are also often supported by dedicated sales and support teams. As of February 24, 2017, we had 56 sales and marketing personnel worldwide.

Our on-site FAEs work closely with our sales team to provide product design support to our OEM customers. Our FAEs collaborate closely with our OEM customers, providing us with insight into their product roadmaps and allowing us to identify opportunities at an early stage to help grow our business. The combination of our integrated sales network with our FAEs enables us to be more responsive and successful in navigating through each customer’s unique and oftentimes complex design qualification process.

Our marketing activities include advertising in technical journals, publishing articles in leading industry periodicals and utilizing direct email solicitation. In addition to these marketing activities, we also participate in many industry trade shows worldwide. We have active memberships in industry organizations such as JEDEC, the USB Implementers Forum, the SD Card Association, the Storage Networking Industry Association, the CompactFlash Association, and Peripheral Component Interconnect Special Interest Group (PCI-SIG).

Research and Development

The timely development of new products is essential to maintaining our competitive position. Our research and development activities are conducted primarily at our research and development centers in Newark and Irvine, California; Atibaia, Brazil; Penang, Malaysia; Gilbert, Arizona; Seongnam-City, South Korea; and Tewksbury, Massachusetts. In 2013 we opened a new research and development center in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Our research and development activities are focused on driving innovation in our products as well as continuous process improvement for our procurement and manufacturing. Our product development includes innovations for next generation DRAM products, mobile DRAM, hybrid memories such as hybrid volatile and non-volatile DRAM or NVDIMM, enterprise memory, and many Flash-based products, such as eMMC and eMCP. We plan to continue to devote research and development efforts to the innovation and design of these and other new products which address the requirements of our customers, especially for growing markets for DRAM and Flash mobile memory products, such as mobile and automotive.

 

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We are developing a broad offering of Flash-based products targeting the automotive, industrial, medical, communications, mobile and networking markets. In order to enhance our efforts to develop innovative Flash products, we have increased our engineering resources significantly, including opening our research and development center in New Taipei City in 2013, where our engineering team is dedicated to firmware development, systems engineering and integration, system and platform validation and applications, and product and reliability engineering for new Flash memory products, including our eMMC product. In addition, in order to take advantage of local regulations and government incentive programs for the growing mobile memory market in Brazil, we have invested substantial financial and management resources to expand our Brazilian research and development capabilities to enable us to develop a broad offering of Flash-based products for the local market.

Our advanced engineering and design capabilities allow us to address our customers’ increasingly complex needs. We design our products to be compatible with existing industry standards and, where appropriate, develop and promote new standards or provide custom solutions to meet customers’ requirements. An important aspect of our research and development effort is understanding the challenges presented by our customers’ requirements and addressing them by utilizing our industry knowledge, proprietary technologies and technical expertise. By working closely with our customers and suppliers, we are able to deliver technically advanced products designed to meet customer-specific needs with competitive solutions to satisfy our customers’ memory and storage requirements, shorten their time-to-market and enhance the performance of our customers’ end products.

We spent $19.6 million, $38.1 million and $43.7 million on research and development during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of February 24, 2017, we had 129 research and development personnel worldwide.

Competition

We primarily compete against global and local memory module providers, and to a lesser extent, large semiconductor memory IC manufacturers that utilize a portion of their capacity to manufacture memory modules. The principal competitive factors in our markets include the ability to meet customer-specific requirements and provide high product quality, strong technical support, technologically advanced products and services, advanced testing capabilities, flexible and global delivery options, reliable supply and reasonable pricing. Our principal competitors include:

 

   

Providers of specialty memory products, including Viking Technology, ATP, Unigen, Apacer and Transcend;

 

   

In Brazil, local manufacturers of DRAM modules and Flash products and local manufacturers of memory ICs, including HT Micron;

 

   

Semiconductor memory IC manufacturers that also manufacture DRAM modules and Flash products, including Samsung, Micron, Western Digital, SK Hynix and Toshiba; and

 

   

In our supply chain services business, a broad set of companies, including distributors and third party logistics providers as well as our customers’ in-house solutions.

Some of our global competitors are large international companies that have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, distribution and other resources, as well as greater name recognition and longer-standing relationships with customers and suppliers than we do. In contrast with our focus on specialty memory products with high levels of service and support, these competitors are generally focused on high-volume memory and storage products that are manufactured to industry standard specifications, and they have limited customization and service capabilities.

In addition, some of our competitors are also our suppliers or customers. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Sales to a limited number of customers represents a significant portion of our net sales, and the loss of any key customer or key program, or the demands of our key customers, could materially harm our

 

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business, results of operations and financial condition” and “—Our dependence on a small number of sole or limited source suppliers subjects us to certain risks, including the risk that we may be unable to obtain adequate supplies at a reasonable price and in a timely manner.”

In Brazil, our competitors are generally much smaller in scale than we are in terms of revenue and capabilities for manufacturing and for research and development. To a lesser degree, we compete with companies that import DRAM and Flash components and products. We believe that import duties and local content requirements in Brazil give us an advantage over these companies. As the local market grows, competition may increase in Brazil.

Intellectual Property

We rely on a combination of trade secrets, know-how, trademarks, copyright and, to a lesser extent, patents to protect our intellectual property rights. As of April 28, 2017, we have 26 issued patents, including 25 patents issued in the United States and one patent issued in South Korea, expiring between 2022 and 2035, excluding any additional patent term for patent term adjustments. In addition, we have 29 patent applications pending, including 17 patent applications in the United States, seven patent applications in Brazil, three patent applications in Malaysia, one patent application in South Korea, and one patent application in Argentina. We also own a number of trademark registrations, including registrations in the United States for the word marks MHUB and SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES and for our stylized “S” logo in combination with the word SMART and, in Brazil, registrations for our stylized “S” logo.

While many of our products contain proprietary aspects, the majority of our products are built to meet industry standards, such as those set by JEDEC, the standards-setting organization for the semiconductor industry. The absence of patent protection for most of our products means that we cannot prevent our competitors from reverse-engineering and duplicating those products. Much of our intellectual property is know-how and trade secrets, and often we rely on the technological skills and innovation of our personnel rather than on patent protection. We believe that our continued success depends largely on our customer relationships, manufacturing and support capabilities and the technical expertise we have developed in manufacturing and designing products, and we rely on trade secret laws and non-disclosure agreements to protect this aspect of our business.

Employees

As of February 24, 2017, we had 1,139 full-time employees.

Our employee relations in Brazil are subject to Brazilian labor laws and regulations as well as collective bargaining arrangements that are negotiated every year. Four of these collective bargaining agreements are specific to our company while there are other collective bargaining agreements that are generally applicable to certain segments of the electronics industry. The applicable labor laws and regulations, as well as the collective bargaining agreements, principally relate to matters such as formal working time compensation, paid annual vacation, paid sick days, length of the workday and payments for overtime, profit sharing and severance. Although a very small number of our employees in Brazil are members of a labor union, all employees in Brazil are represented by the unions for labor and employment matters.

We have never experienced a work stoppage in any of our locations worldwide, and we consider our employee relations to be good.

 

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Facilities

We have facilities in Newark, California; Atibaia, Brazil; Penang, Malaysia; New Taipei City, Taiwan; Gilbert, Arizona; Tewksbury, Massachusetts; Irvine, California; East Kilbride, Scotland; and Seongnam-City, South Korea.

 

Location

  

Facility size
(Sq. Feet)

  

Leased or
Owned

  

Lease Expiration

  

Capabilities

Newark, CA

   79,480 13,863   

Leased

Leased

  

April 2021

September 2017

  

U.S. Headquarters Procurement

R&D

Manufacturing

Sales

Supply Chain Services

Atibaia, Brazil

   121,632    Leased    June 2022   

Procurement

R&D

Manufacturing

Sales

Penang, Malaysia*

   86,730    Owned    N/A   

Procurement

R&D

Manufacturing

Sales

Supply Chain Services

New Taipei City, Taiwan

   13,957    Leased    November 2019   

Procurement

R&D

Sales

Gilbert, AZ

   9,750    Leased    February 2019   

Procurement

R&D

Sales

Tewksbury, MA

   7,666    Leased    July 2018    R&D

Irvine, CA

   4,394    Leased    August 2017   

Procurement

R&D

Sales

East Kilbride, Scotland

   3,300    Leased    July 2019    Supply Chain Services

Seongnam-City, South Korea

   2,836    Leased    July 2018    R&D

 

* Our Penang facility is situated on leased land with a term expiring in 2070.

We also lease a number of smaller design, planning and sales facilities worldwide.

Brazilian Local Content Requirements and Other Regulatory Issues

Brazilian Local Content Requirements

We expect to continue to invest both in maintaining our leadership position, as measured by market share, in our core Brazilian desktop, notebook and server DRAM businesses and in positioning ourselves to be a leading provider in Brazil for mobile DRAM and Flash memory products. We further expect that local content requirements as well as other government incentive programs in Brazil will help drive our growth strategies, as various tax incentives exist to promote the development of the local IT industry. In Brazil, we participate in three government investment incentive programs.

 

   

PPB/IT Program, 1991 : Provides for significant relief from various tax provisions for companies that develop or produce computing and automation goods and invest in IT-related research and development

 

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in Brazil. OEMs that are PPB/IT Program-compliant and who fulfill the local content requirements receive substantial benefits including a reduction in excise taxes on their purchases from qualified suppliers as well as a reduction in the taxes that they are required to charge on sales to their end customers. We estimate that the aggregate of the PPB/IT Program-related tax benefits can range from 15% to as high as 36% of the resale value of the OEMs’ end products. These tax benefits are a strong incentive for OEMs to purchase products from local content manufacturers such as SMART Brazil, our Brazilian operating subsidiary.

 

   

Lei do Bem, 2005 : Fosters technology innovation in Brazil by providing a reduction in corporate income tax through the allowance of deductions for expenses related to research and development activities.

 

   

PADIS, 2007, extended in 2016: Awards incentives and significant tax relief, including reductions in the Brazilian aggregate statutory income tax rates, to semiconductor and display companies that invest in research and development and that promote the development, design, test and packaging processes in Brazil. Furthermore, combining PADIS with PPB/IT Program-compliance provides additional financial incentives to OEMs that purchase modules that contain components that are locally processed from wafers.

As the leading local manufacturer of desktop, notebook and server DRAM modules and DRAM components as well as DRAM and Flash mobile memory products in Brazil, as measured by market share, we benefit substantially from these incentives and local content requirements. A cancellation, reduction or other adverse change in any of these incentives or local content requirements, or our failure to meet these requirements, could have a negative impact on our tax rates and could significantly reduce the demand for, and the profit margins on, our products in Brazil.

In 2013, the EU, later joined by Japan, requested the establishment of a panel within the WTO to determine whether certain measures enacted by the Brazilian government concerning tax incentives and local content requirements for the automotive sector and several other industries including the IT industry and including PADIS, the PPB/IT Program and Lei do Bem, are inconsistent with WTO rules. The panel was formed, hearings were held and in December 2016, the WTO circulated its report to the parties. This report is subject to feedback from the parties and has not been released to the public. While we cannot predict the outcome of the WTO’s decision, a negative ruling could result in significant adverse changes to the local content rules and incentives available to us and our customers in Brazil. Any suspension, early termination or other adverse change in the local content requirements could significantly reduce the demand for, and the profit margins on, our products in Brazil, and would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Environmental Regulations

Our operations and properties are subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations of the United States and other jurisdictions governing, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges, management and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous materials and wastes, reverse logistics (take-back policy) and remediation of releases of hazardous materials. The presence of lead in quantities not believed to be significant have been found in the ground under one of the multi-tenant buildings we lease in Brazil. While we did not cause the contamination, we may be held responsible if remediation is required, although we may be entitled to seek indemnification from responsible parties under Brazilian law and from our lessor under our lease. We cannot be certain that identification of presently unidentified environmental conditions, more vigorous enforcement by regulatory agencies, enactment of more stringent laws and regulations or other unanticipated events will not arise in the future and cause additional material liabilities which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Legal Proceedings

We are currently involved in, and may in the future be involved in, legal proceedings, claims and government investigations in the ordinary course of business. We are involved in litigation, and may in the future be involved in litigation, with third parties asserting, among other things, infringement of their intellectual property rights. We are currently involved in several proceedings, including the following:

Netlist patent litigation . On September 10, 2012, SMART Modular filed a complaint in the Eastern District of California against Netlist alleging infringement of certain claims of SMART Modular’s U.S. Patent No. 8,250,295, or the ‘295 patent, and seeking, among other things, a preliminary injunction. Netlist filed certain counterclaims alleging, among other things, attempted monopolization, collusion, unfair competition, fraud on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or the USPTO, and sham litigation, and asserting that the ‘295 patent is invalid. The counterclaims do not specify the amount of damages. Netlist also filed a request for reexamination of the ‘295 patent in the USPTO. On May 30, 2013, the court denied SMART Modular’s motion for a preliminary injunction and granted a stay in the proceedings pending the outcome of the reexamination. On or about April 29, 2014, the USPTO issued a non-final Action Closing Prosecution, or ACP, confirming the patentability of the original claims of SMART Modular’s ‘295 patent and rejecting certain claims added during the reexamination process. On May 29, 2014, after the ACP, SMART Modular filed comments requesting that all of the original claims and certain of the added claims be confirmed as patentable. On June 30, 2014, Netlist filed comments challenging SMART Modular’s comments to the ACP. On August 4, 2015, the USPTO rejected Netlist’s challenges and affirmed its previous decision confirming the patentability of the original claims of SMART Modular’s ‘295 patent. On September 4, 2015, Netlist filed an appeal of the USPTO examiner’s decision to the Patent Trial and Appeals Board, or the PTAB. On February 25, 2016, the USPTO ruled in favor of SMART Modular and on September 21, 2016, the court granted SMART Modular’s motion to lift the stay in the Eastern District of California case. On November 14, 2016, the PTAB reversed the examiner’s decision to confirm certain claims of SMART Modular’s ‘295 patent and reversed the examiner’s decision to determine that certain newly added claims are patentable. On February 22, 2017, Netlist filed a motion to reinstate the stay in the court proceedings pending the outcome of the USPTO proceedings. SMART Modular filed an opposition to this motion, which is pending. On May 8, 2017, the USPTO examiner declared certain claims of the ‘295 patent to be invalid. SMART Modular now has until June 8, 2017 to respond to the latest decision in the USPTO and is evaluating the next course of action with respect to the proceedings in the USPTO and the Eastern District of California.

On July 1, 2013, Netlist filed a lawsuit in the Central District of California against SMART Modular alleging claims very similar to Netlist’s counterclaims set forth in the Eastern District case. Netlist later amended its complaint to add additional parties, including SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., or SMART Worldwide Holdings. Netlist has sought compensatory damages for the harm it claims to have suffered, as well as an award of treble damages and attorneys’ fees. The claims against SMART Modular and SMART Worldwide Holdings were transferred to the Eastern District of California.

We believe that there are valid defenses to all of the claims and counterclaims made by Netlist and that the claims are without merit. SMART Modular and SMART Worldwide Holdings intend to vigorously fight the claims and counterclaims. The Company believes that the likelihood of any material charge resulting from these claims is remote.

Brazil tax assessments . On February 23, 2012, Brazilian federal tax authorities served our Brazilian operating subsidiary, SMART Brazil, with a tax assessment for approximately R$117.0 million (or $37.4 million), alleging that SMART Brazil had incorrectly used an import product classification code for its imports of unmounted ICs for the five calendar years of 2007 through and including 2011. The Brazilian tax authorities asserted that a different classification code, which carries an import duty of 8%, excise tax of 5% and the PIS and COFINS Contributions, at an aggregate 9.25%, should have been used instead of the classification code used by SMART Brazil, which carries an import duty of 0%, tax on manufactured products of 2% and PIS and COFINS Contributions at the same 9.25% rate. Brazilian federal tax authorities subsequently served a second

 

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assessment for an administrative penalty of approximately R$6.0 million (or $1.9 million) for the alleged use of an improper import code. Each assessment is subject to increases for interest and other charges.

In March 2012, SMART Brazil filed defenses to the tax assessments. On May 2, 2013, the first level administrative tax court ruled in favor of the tax authorities and against SMART Brazil for the first tax assessment, but did not rule on the second assessment for the administrative penalty. SMART Brazil filed an appeal on May 31, 2013 at the second level tax court, known as CARF. SMART Brazil’s appeal was heard on November 26, 2013, and resulted in a unanimous favorable decision rejecting the position of the tax authorities. The ruling was published by the tax authorities and made official in February 2014. Subsequently, the tax authorities filed a request for clarification of certain points in the decision published by CARF, and on September 17, 2014, we received a unanimous ruling rejecting the tax authorities’ request for clarification. This ruling was published in October 2014. On November 7, 2014, the tax authorities notified CARF that they will not be appealing the CARF decision. As a result, the R$117.0 million (or $37.4 million) tax assessment has been extinguished. We have not received a decision from the first level administrative court with respect to the second notice of assessment for the administrative penalty. Due to the issuance of these tax assessments, Brazilian federal tax authorities conducted an enrollment of assets of SMART Brazil. Brazilian legislation states that whenever the sum of the debts owed to the Brazilian Revenue Service exceeds 30% of the known equity of a company and R$2.0 million (or $0.6 million), the Brazilian Revenue Service may conduct an enrollment of assets of the company, which is a means of monitoring the company’s equity. During this period, the taxpayer must notify the Brazilian Revenue Service of any disposal, encumbrance or transfer of the assets or rights enrolled within five days from the occurrence of the act; if the company does not provide such notice, then the Brazilian Revenue Service may file a tax injunction. The enrollment does not constitute a lien or encumbrance on the assets. The assets covered by the enrollment are typically assets classified as fixed assets or non-current assets and include assets that are subject to any form of registration before a public deed service or equivalent, such as real estate and vehicles. Other assets may be subject to enrollment in the event that the assets described above are not sufficient to satisfy the amount of the tax liability. The enrollment does not create any limitation or prohibition against remitting dividends or making cash payments of interest on equity. As the first assessment for R$117.0 million (or $37.4 million) has been extinguished, SMART Brazil has petitioned to have the enrollment cancelled. While the tax authorities have substantially reduced the amount of the enrollment to R$13.9 million (or $4.4 million) as of January 31, 2017, there can be no assurance that the enrollment will be cancelled unless all of the assessments are extinguished.

On December 12, 2013, SMART Brazil received another notice of assessment in the amount of R$3.6 million (or $1.2 million) relating to the same import issues and penalties described above, but for calendar years 2012 and 2013. This assessment only covers import-related taxes for the months of January 2012 to June 2012 because after this period the import duty and related taxes became 0% as a result of amendments to PADIS.

Although we believe that we have valid defenses to the assessment actions described above, we cannot provide assurance that we will ultimately prevail on the remaining tax assessments or the administrative penalties. In the event that we do not prevail in the assessment actions described above, the aggregate amount of the assessments and related penalties and interest could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.

General. Litigation in general, and intellectual property litigation and governmental proceedings and litigation in particular, can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict. We believe that we have defenses to the cases currently pending against us, including those set forth above, and although the results of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that there is a reasonable possibility that the final outcome of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Regardless of the outcome, current or future litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors. For further information regarding the legal proceedings, claims and government investigations that we are involved in, see Note 10(c) to our consolidated financial statements.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers and Directors

The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of our executive officers and directors as of April 30, 2017.

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Executive Officers:

     

Iain MacKenzie

     58      President and Chief Executive Officer, Director

Jack Pacheco

     57      Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Alan Marten

     57      Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer

KiWan Kim

     54      Senior Vice President, Emerging Markets and President, SMART Brazil

Bruce Goldberg

     61      Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary

Non-Employee Directors:

     

Ajay Shah (2)

     57      Chairman of the Board

James Davidson

     57      Director

Kenneth Hao

     48      Director

Paul Mercadante (3)

     56      Director

Sandeep Nayyar (1)(3)

     57      Director

Mukesh Patel (1)(2)

     59      Director

Jason White (1)(3)

     36      Director

 

(1) Member of the audit committee.
(2) Member of the compensation committee.
(3) Member of the nominating and corporate governance committee.

Executive Officers

Iain MacKenzie has served as President of SMART Modular since February 2002. He served as a director of SMART Worldwide since April 2004 and became Chief Executive Officer of SMART Worldwide in September 2005. Mr. MacKenzie also served as a director of SMART Global Holdings since the Acquisition in August 2011. Previously, from 1998 to 2002, Mr. MacKenzie served as Vice President of Worldwide Operations through the sale of SMART Modular to Solectron, an electronics manufacturing services provider, in November 1999, and its integration into Solectron’s Technology Solutions Business unit. Prior to that, Mr. MacKenzie was responsible for the formation and growth of SMART Modular Technologies (Europe) Ltd., and he served as its general manager from 1997 to 1998. Before joining us in 1997, Mr. MacKenzie held various management and leadership positions at other high technology corporations including Hughes Microelectronics, Ferrofluidics, Inc. (NH), Digital Equipment Corp. (semiconductor division), and Apricot Computers Ltd., which was acquired by Mitsubishi Company. Mr. MacKenzie currently serves as a director of Ichor Systems and a member of its Compensation Committee and Audit Committee. Mr. MacKenzie holds the Higher National Diploma in mechanical and production engineering and the Ordinary National Diploma in electrical/electronics engineering, both from the Kirkcaldy College of Technology (Fife University) in Scotland.

As our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. MacKenzie brings to our board of directors significant senior leadership, as well as technical expertise and significant experience in operations, engineering, sales, marketing and international transactions. As our top executive, Mr. MacKenzie has direct responsibility for strategy development and execution, and we believe that this perspective, coupled with his 19-year tenure with us, makes him well suited for service on our board of directors.

Jack Pacheco has served as our Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer since October 2011. Previously, from 2004 to 2008, Mr. Pacheco served as our Chief Financial Officer. Prior to rejoining us, from 2008 to 2011, Mr. Pacheco served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Mirion

 

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Technologies, Inc., a provider of radiation detection, measurement, analysis and monitoring products. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Pacheco served as Chief Financial Officer for Ignis Optics, Inc., an optical components startup acquired by Bookham Technology Inc. He holds an M.B.A. degree from Golden Gate University and a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Washington State University.

Alan Marten has served as our Chief Strategy Officer since 2013 and Senior Vice President since October 2007. Previously, he served as Vice President and General Manager of our Memory Business Unit from April 2004 to October 2007 and held an equivalent position when our company was a business unit within Solectron from 1999 through its divestiture in 2004. Mr. Marten also held the positions of Vice President of Sales and Marketing from 1995 to 1999, and Director of Sales from 1990 to 1994. Prior to that, Mr. Marten served as Director of Product Management, Semiconductor and Memory Products, at Arrow Electronics, Inc. from 1987 to 1989. Mr. Marten began his career at Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. as a financial analyst and product-marketing manager. Mr. Martens holds a B.S. degree in Economics from Santa Clara University.

KiWan Kim has served as our Senior Vice President, Emerging Markets and President, SMART Brazil since January 2010 and is responsible for developing strategies to grow our business in emerging markets. Previously, from December 2000 to December 2009, Mr. Kim served in various positions in our company, including Vice President of Strategic Planning and Advanced Packaging from November 2006 to December 2009, Vice President and General Manager of our Display Product Group from October 2004 to October 2006 and Vice President of our DRAM Business Unit from December 2000 to September 2004. Mr. Kim began his career at Samsung Electronics, where he spent 13 years in various positions, ultimately serving as Sales Director. Mr. Kim holds a B.B.A. degree from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.

Bruce Goldberg has served as our Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer since August 2009 and as our Secretary since December 2016. Previously, from 1988 to 2007, Mr. Goldberg served in various legal and executive positions at All American Semiconductor, Inc., ultimately serving as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1997 to 2007. From 2007 to 2008, Mr. Goldberg served as a consultant to a public telecommunications company and, in 2008, as interim General Counsel for VeriFone Systems Inc. Mr. Goldberg holds a B.B.A. degree in Finance from the University of Miami School of Business and a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law.

Non-Employee Directors

Ajay Shah has served as director and Chairman of the Board of SMART Worldwide since its spin-off from Solectron in April 2004 and a director and Chairman of the Board of SMART Global Holdings since the Acquisition in August 2011. Mr. Shah joined Silver Lake, a global investment firm, in 2007, and is the co-founder and Managing Partner of the firm’s middle market strategy, Silver Lake Sumeru. Since 2014, Mr. Shah has also served as a Senior Operating Partner of Sumeru Equity Partners, a middle-market private equity firm. Previously, he founded Shah Capital Partners, a private equity firm. Mr. Shah co-founded SMART Modular in 1988 and served as Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer through SMART Modular’s initial public offering in 1995 and until 1999, when it was acquired by Solectron. Mr. Shah founded and managed the Technology Solutions Business unit of Solectron from 1999 to 2002. Mr. Shah currently serves on the boards of directors of a number of private technology companies including Opera Solutions, LLC and Velocity Technology Solutions, Inc. Mr. Shah previously served on the boards of directors of Magellan Navigation, Inc., AVI-SPL, Inc., CMAC MicroTechnology, Flex, Ingenient Technologies Inc., Northern California Public Broadcasting, Power-One, Inc., PulseCore Semiconductor, Spansion Inc. and TES Electronic Solutions. He is a senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum, serves on the boards of National Audubon Society and The Indian School of Business, India and is a Trustee of the America India Foundation. Mr. Shah has a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Baroda, India and an M.S. degree in Engineering Management from Stanford University.

As co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of SMART Modular, Mr. Shah brings to our board of directors extensive strategic and operational experience, as well as considerable historical knowledge about our

 

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company and industry. We believe that these factors, combined with Mr. Shah’s substantial experience in investing and finance and his service on the boards and board committees of technology companies make him well qualified for service as a director and Chairman of the board of directors of SMART Global Holdings.

James Davidson has served as a director since 2011. Mr. Davidson co-founded Silver Lake in 1999 and serves as a Managing Partner and Managing Director. From 1990 to 1998, Mr. Davidson was an investment banker with Hambrecht & Quist, a technology-focused investment bank and venture capital firm, most recently serving as Managing Director and Head of Technology Investment Banking. From 1984 to 1990, Mr. Davidson was a corporate and securities lawyer with Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro. Mr. Davidson currently serves on the boards of directors of a number of private technology companies. In addition, Mr. Davidson previously served on the boards of directors of Avago Technologies Ltd., Flex and Seagate Technology plc. Mr. Davidson holds B.S. degrees in Mathematics and Political Science from the University of Nebraska and a J.D. from the University of Michigan.

We believe that Mr. Davidson’s leadership and business experience, his broad understanding of the operational, financial and strategic issues facing technology companies and his service on the boards and board committees of technology companies make him well qualified for service as a director.

Kenneth Hao has served as a director since 2011. He is a Managing Partner and Managing Director of Silver Lake. Prior to joining Silver Lake in 2000, Mr. Hao was an investment banker with Hambrecht & Quist, a technology-focused investment bank and venture capital firm, for 10 years, most recently serving as a Managing Director in the Technology Investment Banking group. Mr. Hao currently serves on the boards of directors of Broadcom, SolarWinds and Symantec. In addition, Mr. Hao previously served as a director of NetScout Systems, Inc., UGS Corp., Network General Corporation and Certance Holdings, which was acquired by Quantum Corporation and formerly a division of Seagate Technology. Mr. Hao holds an A.B. degree in Economics from Harvard College.

We believe that Mr. Hao’s substantial experience as an investor in, and advisor to, technology companies and his service on the boards and board committees of technology companies make him well qualified for service as a director.

Paul Mercadante has served as a director since August 2011. He joined Silver Lake in 2007, and serves as a Managing Director of Silver Lake Sumeru. Mr. Mercadante has also served as a Managing Director of Sumeru Equity Partners since 2014. Previously, Mr. Mercadante was Operating Partner at Shah Capital Partners from 2004 to 2006. Prior to that, from 2002 to 2004, Mr. Mercadante was President of Force Computers, an embedded computing business owned by Solectron, which subsequently was acquired by Motorola, Inc. Prior to Force Computers, Mr. Mercadante was Vice President of Strategic Planning for the Technology Solutions Business Unit of Solectron and Vice President and Product Line Manager of SMART Modular. Mr. Mercadante currently serves on the boards of directors of a number of private technology companies. In addition, Mr. Mercadante previously served on the board of directors of Spansion Inc. Mr. Mercadante holds a B.A. degree in Economics from the State University of New York.

We believe that Mr. Mercadante’s substantial experience in private equity and finance, his technology background and his service on the boards and board committees of technology companies make him well qualified for service as a director.

Sandeep Nayyar has served as a director since September 2014. Mr. Nayyar has been the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Power Integrations, Inc., a supplier of high performance electronic components, from 2010 to the present. Prior to that, from 2001 to 2009, Mr. Nayyar served as the Vice President of Finance for Applied Biosystems, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of life-sciences products. From 1990 to 2001, Mr. Nayyar served in various senior finance roles at Quantum Corporation, a computer storage company. Mr. Nayyar served as an Audit Manager at Ernst & Young LLP, a public accounting firm from 1986 to 1990.

 

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Mr. Nayyar is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California and has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Delhi, India.

We believe that Mr. Nayyar’s experience in complex technology companies in the semiconductor, life sciences and storage industries, and the perspective he brings as a Certified Public Accountant, make him well qualified for service as a director.

Mukesh Patel has served as a director of SMART Worldwide since April 2004, as a director of SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc. since March 2012 and as a director of SMART Global Holdings since March 2013. Mr. Patel is the founder and Managing Director of Invati Capital LLC, a role he has held since 2008. Previously, Mr. Patel served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Metta Technology, which he co-founded in 2004, until its acquisition by LSI Logic Corporation in 2006. From 1999 to 2001, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Sparkolor Corporation, which was acquired by Intel Corporation in 2002. Mr. Patel co-founded our company in 1988 and served as a director and in various management and executive roles until its acquisition by Solectron in 1999, including as Vice President, Engineering, from 1989 to 1995, and Vice President and General Manager Memory/Processor Product Line, from 1995 to 1999. Prior to co-founding our company, Mr. Patel served in various roles at semiconductor technology companies, including Seeq Technology Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. and Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. Mr. Patel currently serves on the boards of directors of a number of other private technology companies, including AEHR Test Systems. He holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Bombay University, India.

As our co-founder and former executive, Mr. Patel brings to our board of directors significant strategic and operational experience, as well as a wealth of historical knowledge about our company and industry. These factors, combined with Mr. Patel’s experience as a venture capital investor and semiconductor executive, his service on the boards and board committees of technology companies and his expertise in mergers and acquisitions make him well qualified for service as a director.

Jason White has served as a director since 2011. He joined Silver Lake in 2006, and is a Director of Silver Lake Partners. Prior to joining Silver Lake, Mr. White was an investment banker with the Media & Communications Investment Banking Group and the Equity Products Group at Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, an investment bank, from 2003 to 2006. Mr. White currently serves on the boards of directors of a number of private technology companies. Mr. White holds a B.S.E. degree in Operations Research & Financial Engineering from Princeton University.

We believe that Mr. White’s experience in investment banking and private equity make him well qualified for service as a director.

Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, our board of directors. There are no family relationships between our directors and executive officers.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our board of directors has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, executive officers and directors, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other executive and senior financial officers. The full text of our code of business conduct and ethics will be posted on the investor relations page on our website. We intend to disclose any amendments to our code of business conduct and ethics, or waivers of its requirements, on our website or in filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Board of Directors

Our board of directors currently consists of, and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorize, eight directors, two of whom will be “independent” as defined under the applicable rules

 

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and regulations of the SEC and NASDAQ at the time of the completion of this offering. Any director on our board may be removed by way of an ordinary resolution of shareholders or by shareholders holding a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares by notice in writing to us, so long as Silver Lake collectively owns at least 40% of our outstanding ordinary shares. See “Description of Share Capital—Anti-Takeover Provisions of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association” elsewhere in this prospectus.

Pursuant to the Sponsor Shareholder Agreement described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Sponsor Shareholder Agreement,” Silver Lake will be entitled to nominate members of our board of directors as follows: so long as affiliates of Silver Lake own, in the aggregate, (i) at least 50% of our ordinary shares outstanding immediately following the consummation of this offering, Silver Lake will be entitled to nominate five directors, (ii) less than 50% but at least 35% of our ordinary shares outstanding immediately following the consummation of this offering, Silver Lake will be entitled to nominate four directors, (iii) less than 35% but at least 20% of our ordinary shares outstanding immediately following the consummation of this offering, Silver Lake will be entitled to nominate three directors, (iv) less than 20% but at least 10% of our ordinary shares outstanding immediately following the consummation of this offering, Silver Lake will be entitled to nominate two directors, (v) less than 10% but at least 5% of our ordinary shares outstanding immediately following the consummation of this offering, Silver Lake will be entitled to nominate one director, and (vi) less than 5% of our ordinary shares outstanding immediately following the consummation of this offering, Silver Lake will not be entitled to nominate any directors.

We refer to directors nominated by Silver Lake in this prospectus as the Silver Lake Directors. The initial Silver Lake Directors are Messrs. Davidson, Hao, White, Shah and Mercadante. The affiliates of Silver Lake Partners and Silver Lake Sumeru will agree in the Sponsor Shareholder Agreement to vote their shares in favor of the directors nominated as set forth above, and we will agree to take actions necessary to facilitate such nominations.

In accordance with our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our board of directors will be divided into three classes with staggered three year terms. At each annual meeting of shareholders after the initial classification, the successors to the directors whose terms will then expire will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following their election. Our directors will be divided among the three classes as follows:

 

   

the Class I directors will be Sandeep Nayyar, Iain MacKenzie and Mukesh Patel and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2018;

 

   

the Class II directors will be Ajay Shah and Jason White and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2019; and

 

   

the Class III directors will be Paul Mercadante, James Davidson and Kenneth Hao and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2020.

Any increase or decrease in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. This classification of our board of directors may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control of our company. See “Description of Share Capital—Anti-Takeover Provisions—Classified Board of Directors” elsewhere in this prospectus.

Controlled Company Exemption

Upon completion of this offering, investment funds affiliated with Silver Lake will beneficially own approximately 62% of our outstanding ordinary shares, or approximately 59% if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option to purchase additional ordinary shares in full. As a result, we intend to rely on the “controlled company” exemption under the NASDAQ corporate governance rules, including exemptions from the requirements that a majority of the directors on our board of directors be independent directors and the requirement that our compensation committee and our nominating and corporate governance committee consist entirely of independent directors.

 

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The “controlled company” exemption does not modify the independence requirements for the audit committee, which require that our audit committee be comprised exclusively of independent directors. However, under the NASDAQ corporate governance rules, we are permitted to phase in our independent audit committee with one independent member at the time of listing, a majority of independent members within 90 days of listing and a fully independent committee within one year of listing.

If at any time we cease to be a “controlled company” under the NASDAQ corporate governance rules, our board of directors will take all action necessary to comply with the NASDAQ corporate governance rules.

Board Committees

We have established three committees of the board of directors, an Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and have adopted a written charter for each of the committees that satisfies the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and NASDAQ. Each committee’s members and functions are described below.

Pursuant to the Sponsor Shareholder Agreement, for so long as Silver Lake may nominate a Silver Lake Director, Silver Lake is entitled to have a Silver Lake Director serve as a member of each of the committees of the board of directors; however, if we establish a committee to consider a proposed transaction between Silver Lake and us, then such board committee may exclude from participation such Silver Lake Director nominated by the Silver Lake entity which transaction is being considered by such committee. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Sponsor Shareholder Agreement” elsewhere in this prospectus.

Audit Committee

Our audit committee consists of three directors, Mukesh Patel, Jason White and Sandeep Nayyar, its chair. Our board of directors has determined that Sandeep Nayyar and Mukesh Patel satisfy the “independence” requirements of the NASDAQ and the Exchange Act. We will phase-in to the independence requirements of the NASDAQ corporate governance rules, which require a fully independent committee within one year of listing. In addition, our board of directors has determined that all three members are qualified as audit committee financial experts within the meaning of SEC regulations. The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

   

selecting the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors;

 

   

setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditors;

 

   

reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;

 

   

reviewing and approving all related party transactions;

 

   

discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors;

 

   

discussing with management and the independent auditors major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations;

 

   

reviewing reports prepared by management or the independent auditors relating to significant financial reporting issues and judgments;

 

   

reviewing with management and the independent auditors related party transactions and off-balance sheet transactions and structures;

 

   

reviewing with management and the independent auditors the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives;

 

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reviewing policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management;

 

   

reviewing our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting;

 

   

reviewing reports from the independent auditors regarding all critical accounting policies and practices to be used by our company;

 

   

establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints we receive regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

 

   

periodically reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of our audit committee charter;

 

   

such other matters that are specifically delegated to our audit committee by our board of directors from time to time; and

 

   

meeting separately with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors on a periodic basis.

Compensation Committee

Our compensation committee consists of two directors, Mukesh Patel and Ajay Shah, its chair. We intend to avail ourselves of certain exemptions afforded to controlled companies under NASDAQ corporate governance rules, which will exempt us from the requirement that we have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

   

reviewing and approving the compensation for our senior executives;

 

   

reviewing and evaluating our executive compensation and benefits policies generally;

 

   

reporting to our board of directors periodically;

 

   

evaluating its own performance and reporting to our board of directors on such evaluation;

 

   

periodically reviewing and assessing the adequacy of the compensation committee charter and recommending any proposed changes to our board of directors; and

 

   

such other matters that are specifically delegated to the compensation committee by our board of directors from time to time.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of three directors, Paul Mercadante, Sandeep Nayyar and Jason White, its chair. We intend to avail ourselves of certain exemptions afforded to controlled companies under NASDAQ corporate governance rules, which will exempt us from the requirement that we have a nominating and governance committee composed entirely of independent directors. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

   

identifying and recommending to the board of directors qualified individuals for membership on the board of directors and its committees;

 

   

evaluating, at least annually, its own performance and reporting to the board of directors on such evaluation;

 

   

overseeing compliance with the corporate governance guidelines and code of business conduct and ethics and reporting on such compliance to the board of directors; and

 

   

reviewing and assessing periodically the adequacy of its charter and recommending any proposed changes to the board of directors for approval.

 

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of our compensation committee is or has been an officer or employee of our company. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions) of any entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving on our board of directors or compensation committee. Ajay Shah has been designated by Silver Lake to serve on our Compensation Committee and is affiliated with the Silver Lake entities that are party to our Management Agreement. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Management Agreement.”

Duties of Directors and Conflicts of Interest

Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a duty of loyalty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the care, diligence and skills that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. In certain limited circumstances, a shareholder has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached.

Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, a director who is in any way interested in a contract or transaction with the company will declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the board of directors. A director may vote in respect of any such contract or transaction notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote will be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the board of directors at which any such contract or transaction shall come before the meeting for consideration. See “Description of Share Capital.”

Director Compensation

Our non-employee directors did not receive in fiscal 2016 any cash or equity compensation for their service on our board of directors and committees of our board of directors. As of the end of fiscal 2016, Mr. Nayyar held 4,484 RSUs. No other non-employee directors held any equity awards.

On October 18, 2016, Mr. Nayyar received annual retainers of $20,000 for serving as our independent director and $6,000 for serving as the chair of our audit committee, in each case payable quarterly commencing with the first quarter of fiscal 2017. In addition, Mr. Nayyar received 5,333 RSUs with 50% vesting on September 23, 2017 and 50% vesting on September 23, 2018. As of February 24, 2017, no other non-employee directors held any equity awards.

Mr. MacKenzie, our only employee director, receives no compensation for his services as a director.

Following the completion of this offering, we intend to implement a policy pursuant to which our non-employee directors would be eligible to receive equity awards and cash retainers as compensation for service on our board of directors and committees of our board of directors.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation paid to Iain MacKenzie, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and our two other most highly compensated executive officers, Jack Pacheco, our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, and Alan Marten, our Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, during fiscal 2016. We refer to these individuals as our “named executive officers.”

 

Name and Principal Position

  Fiscal Year     Salary
($)
    Option
Awards
($) (1)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($) (2)
    All Other
Compensation
($) (3)
    Total
($)
 

Iain MacKenzie,

President and Chief Executive Officer, Director

    2016       533,000       1,592,933       391,462       14,824       2,532,219  

Jack Pacheco,

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    2016       400,000       433,397       218,365       14,700       1,066,462  

Alan Marten,

Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer

    2016       300,000       613,694       135,000       12,908       1,061,602  

 

(1) Amount represents option awards issued pursuant to the SGH Plan and represents the grant date fair value of such awards granted during fiscal 2016, as calculated in accordance with ASC 718 or the incremental fair value of option awards issued in replacement of cancelled options. See Note 9(a) to the fiscal 2016 consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus for the assumptions used in calculating this amount.
(2) See the “Incentive Plan Awards” section below for a description of these amounts.
(3) Amounts in this column consist of (i) 401(k) match of $10,600 for each of Messrs. MacKenzie, Pacheco and Marten, respectively; (ii) reimbursed financial consulting expenses of $4,224 and $4,100 for Messrs. MacKenzie and Pacheco, respectively; and (iii) charitable gift matching donations of $2,308 for Mr. Marten.

Employment and Severance Agreements

We have entered into agreements with our named executive officers, pursuant to which such officer will be eligible for severance and/or change in control benefits under specified conditions. The following summarizes the severance and change in control benefits under these agreements:

Iain MacKenzie

We have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. MacKenzie that provides for the severance payments and benefits described below. The initial term of Mr. MacKenzie’s employment agreement ended on August 28, 2015, at which time it automatically renewed for an additional one-year term, and has and will continue to be automatically renewed for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless either party provides written notice of termination no later than 90 days prior to the expiration of the then-current term.

Benefits provided upon termination or non-renewal by us without cause, or termination by employee for good reason . Subject to the execution and non-revocation of a release of claims against us or any of our affiliates within 60 days following termination, if Mr. MacKenzie’s employment is terminated by us without cause (as defined in Mr. MacKenzie’s employment agreement), we provide a notice of our intention not to renew Mr. MacKenzie’s employment at the end of any current term or if Mr. MacKenzie terminates employment for

 

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good reason (as defined in Mr. Mackenzie’s employment agreement), then in any of these events we will be obligated to (i) pay an amount equal to 100% of his then current annual base salary plus the annual bonus paid or payable with respect to the most recently ended fiscal year (in addition to the annual bonus paid or payable with respect to the most recently completed fiscal year), payable in a lump sum on the first payroll date following the date the release of claims becomes effective and irrevocable, (ii) pay, to the extent a bonus could be earned for the year, any annual bonus for the current fiscal year pro-rated through the date of termination (based on the board of directors’ determination of our performance through the date of termination) payable when we pay bonuses to other senior executives and (iii) continue to provide for or reimburse health benefit continuation coverage until the earlier of 12 months following the date of termination or the date Mr. MacKenzie becomes eligible for health benefits with another employer.

Benefits provided upon termination by us without cause or termination by employee for good reason related to a change of control . Subject to the execution and non-revocation of a release of claims against us or any of our affiliates, if Mr. MacKenzie’s employment is terminated within 12 months following a change in control (as defined in Mr. MacKenzie’s employment agreement) by Mr. MacKenzie for good reason or by us without cause, then in lieu of the basic severance above, we will be obligated to: (i) pay an amount equal to 200% of his then current annual base salary plus 200% the annual bonus paid or payable for the most recently completed fiscal year (in addition to the annual bonus paid or payable for the most recently completed fiscal year), payable in a lump sum on the first payroll date following the date the release of claims becomes effective and irrevocable, (ii) pay, to the extent a bonus could be earned for the year, any annual bonus for the current fiscal year pro-rated through the date of termination (based on the board of directors’ determination of our performance through the date of termination), payable when we pay bonuses to other senior executives, (iii) continue to provide for or reimburse health benefit continuation coverage until the earlier of 24 months following the date of termination or the date Mr. MacKenzie becomes eligible for health benefits with another employer and (iv) accelerate the vesting of 100% of Mr. MacKenzie’s unvested and outstanding options.

Jack Pacheco

We have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Pacheco that provides for the severance payments and benefits described below. The initial term of Mr. Pacheco’s employment agreement ended on October 9, 2014, at which time it automatically renewed for an additional one-year term, and has and will continue to be automatically renewed for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless either party provides written notice of termination no later than 90 days prior to the expiration of the then-current term.

Benefits provided upon termination or non-renewal by us without cause, or termination by employee for good reason . Subject to the execution and non-revocation of a release of claims against us or any of our affiliates within 60 days following termination, if Mr. Pacheco’s employment is terminated by us without cause (as defined in Mr. Pacheco’s employment agreement), if we provide a notice of our intention not to renew Mr. Pacheco’s employment at the end of any current term or if Mr. Pacheco terminates employment for good reason (as defined in Mr. Pacheco’s employment agreement), then in any of these events, we will be obligated to (i) pay an amount equal to 25% of his then current annual base salary; (ii) pay, to the extent a bonus could be earned for the year, the annual bonus for the then current fiscal year pro-rated through the date of termination (based on the board of directors’ determination of our performance through the date of termination); and (iii) continue to provide for or reimburse health benefit continuation coverage until the earlier of nine months following the date of termination or the date Mr. Pacheco becomes eligible for health benefits with another employer. We are obligated to pay the foregoing benefits in accordance with our regular payroll practices in equal or substantially equal payments over a maximum of 12 months following the execution and non-revocation of Mr. Pacheco’s release of claims against us or any of our affiliates.

Benefits provided upon termination by us without cause or termination by employee for good reason related to a change of control . Subject to the execution and non-revocation of a release of claims against us or any of our affiliates, if Mr. Pacheco’s employment is terminated within 12 months following a change in control (as defined

 

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in Mr. Pacheco’s employment agreement) by Mr. Pacheco for good reason or by us without cause, then in lieu of the basic severance above, we will be obligated to: (i) pay an amount equal to 100% of his then current annual base salary plus 150% the annual bonus paid or payable for the most recently completed fiscal year (in addition to the annual bonus paid or payable for the most recently completed fiscal year), (ii) pay any annual bonus for the current fiscal year pro-rated through the date of termination (based on the board of directors’ determination of our performance through the date of termination), (iii) continue to provide for or reimburse health benefit continuation coverage until the earlier of 18 months following the date of termination or the date Mr. Pacheco becomes eligible for health benefits with another employer and (iv) accelerate the vesting of 100% of Mr. Pacheco’s unvested and outstanding options. We are obligated to pay the foregoing benefits in accordance with our regular payroll practices in equal or substantially equal payments over a maximum of 12 months following the execution and non-revocation of Mr. Pacheco’s release of claims against us or any of our affiliates.

Alan Marten

We have entered into a severance and change of control agreement with Mr. Marten providing for the severance and change in control benefits set forth below. The initial term of the agreement ended on December 10, 2014, at which time it automatically renewed for an additional one-year term, and has and will continue to be automatically renewed for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless we give written notice of termination at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the then-current term; provided that we may not give such notice if a change of control (as defined in Mr. Marten’s severance and change in control agreement) has occurred prior to such date until at least 12 months following such change of control.

Benefits provided upon termination without cause . Subject to the execution and non-revocation of a release of claims against us or any of our affiliates, if Mr. Marten is terminated by us without cause (as defined in Mr. Marten’s severance and change of control agreement), we will be obligated to: (i) pay an amount equal to 75% of his then existing annual base salary in a lump sum within 60 days following termination, (ii) pay, to the extent a bonus could be earned for the year, any annual bonus for the current fiscal year pro-rated through the date of termination in a lump sum within 60 days following termination and (iii) continue to provide and to pay for health benefit continuation coverage until the earlier of 9 months following the date of termination or the date Mr. Marten becomes eligible for health benefits with another employer.

Benefits provided upon a change of control . Upon a change of control, a pro-rated portion of any options or share-based awards that remain subject to issuance or vesting based on performance shall be issued and/or vested based on performance measured immediately prior to the change of control. The remainder of the options or share-based awards that remain subject to issuance or vesting based on performance shall be issued and/or vested in equal monthly installments over the original performance period, unless the successor to the company does not assume or substitute such remaining options or share-based awards with a substantially equivalent award, in which case such remaining options or share-based awards shall be issued and/or vested upon the change of control.

Benefits provided upon termination by us without cause or termination by employee for good reason related to a change of control . Subject to the execution and non-revocation of a release of claims against us or any of our affiliates, if within the two months prior to or the twelve months after a change of control Mr. Marten is terminated by us without cause or Mr. Marten resigns for good reason (as defined in Mr. Marten’s severance and change of control agreement), then in lieu of the basic severance above, we will be obligated to: (i) pay an amount equal to 150% of his then current annual base salary plus 150% the annual bonus paid or payable for the most recently completed fiscal year (in addition to the annual bonus paid or payable for the most recently completed fiscal year) in a lump sum within 60 days following termination, (ii) pay, to the extent a bonus could be earned for the year, any annual bonus for the current fiscal year pro-rated through the date of termination in a lump sum within 60 days following termination, (iii) continue to provide for or reimburse health benefit continuation coverage until the earlier of 18 months following the date of termination or the date Mr. Marten becomes eligible for health benefits with another employer and (iv) accelerate the vesting of 100% of Mr. Marten’s unvested and outstanding options or share-based awards.

 

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Incentive Plan Awards

The total amount of cash incentives paid to Messrs. MacKenzie, Pacheco and Marten in fiscal 2016 is set forth under the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table. For fiscal 2016, the target bonuses for Messrs. MacKenzie, Pacheco and Marten were 100%, 75% and 65% of base salary, respectively.

Our named executive officers are eligible to participate in our cash incentive program, which is designed to reward overall company performance and to encourage individual performance and individual contribution to company performance. In fiscal 2016, 80% of the target incentives were related to achievement of non-U.S. GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the overall company, and 20% of the target incentives were related to other business goals.

Executives were required to be actively employed on the date the cash incentive was paid to earn the applicable bonus. In 2016, 34% of the targeted annual bonus was attainable for first half performance, with payment not to exceed 34% of the annual target for the first half, and 66% of the targeted annual bonus was attributable to the second half and was paid based on performance for the year as a whole. For the full year, we paid Messrs. MacKenzie, Pacheco and Marten 73% of their respective annualized targeted cash incentive.

Equity Awards

In connection with the Tender Offer, the options awards referenced in the table under “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End” below sets forth options that were issued in May 2016 to the named executive officers in exchange for the cancellation of a number of previously outstanding options. As a result, the options issued in fiscal 2016 have a special vesting schedule of 50% vesting in May 2017 and the balance vesting quarterly over the following year.

Pension Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

We do not provide a pension plan for our employees, and none of our named executive officers participated in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan in fiscal 2016.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding options to purchase our ordinary shares held by our named executive officers as of the end of fiscal 2016. There were no unvested stock awards other than options at such date.

 

Name

   Grant
Date
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
    Option
Exercise

Price
     Option
Expiration
Date
 

Iain MacKenzie,

President and Chief Executive Officer, Director

    

09/28/10

10/26/11

05/23/16

 

 

 

    

15,583

19,384

—  

 

 

 

    

—  

—  

191,533

 

 

(1)  

  $

$

$

2.64

22.47

11.55

 

 

 

    

09/28/20

10/26/19

05/23/26

 

 

 

Jack Pacheco,

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    

09/23/14

05/23/16

 

 

    

26,225

—  

 

 

    

28,505

90,753

 

(1)  

  $

$

24.93

11.55

 

 

    

09/23/24

05/23/26

 

 

Alan Marten,

Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer

    

09/23/08

09/29/09

09/28/10

10/02/07

05/23/16

 

 

 

 

 

    

26,666

33,333

20,000

8,694

—  

 

 

 

 

 

    

—  

—  

—  

—  

96,922

 

 

 

 

(1)  

  $

$

$

$

$

2.64

2.64

2.64

3.33

11.55

 

 

 

 

 

    

09/23/18

09/29/19

09/27/20

10/02/17

05/23/26

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(1) In connection with the Tender Offer, the options awards referenced in the table sets forth options that were issued in May 2016 in exchange for the cancellation of a number of previously outstanding options and therefore have a special vesting schedule of 50% vesting on the first anniversary and the balance vesting quarterly over the second year.

Employee Benefit and Share Plans

SMART Global Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Share Incentive Plan

Our SGH Plan was originally approved by our board of directors and shareholders in 2011 as a continuation of a prior plan and will be further amended and restated effective upon the consummation of this initial public offering, subject to approval by our board of directors.

As of February 24, 2017, equity awards for 1,474,807 options to purchase ordinary shares were outstanding with a weighted-average exercise price of approximately $10.74 per ordinary share, other awards with respect to 493,316 shares were outstanding, and 1,271,407 ordinary shares remained available for future grants.

Effective upon the consummation of our initial public offering, we expect to reserve 1,500,000 ordinary shares for future grants, plus any shares that are returned to the SGH Plan as a result of forfeiture or other termination of outstanding awards. In addition, if approved by our board of directors or an applicable committee of our board of directors, the number of shares reserved under the SGH Plan will be subject to an annual increase on the first day of each fiscal year for ten years, equal to the least of (i) 1,500,000 shares, (ii) 2.5% of the shares outstanding (on an as converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (iii) such smaller number of shares as determined by our board of directors or committee.

Pursuant to the terms of the SGH Plan, our board of directors, or a committee appointed by our board, will act as the administrator of the SGH Plan.

The SGH Plan provides for grants of options, RSUs, restricted stock awards and other equity-based awards with respect to our ordinary shares to our employees, directors and consultants, as well as for cash-based performance awards. Options granted under the SGH Plan have exercise prices of no less than the fair market value of such shares on the grant date and a maximum term of ten years. The vesting requirements, as well as any other terms and conditions, of equity and cash awards will be determined by the administrator. Vesting may be time-based or performance-based or a combination. The SGH Plan has limits on the amounts of options and performance-based awards that may be granted to individuals during any calendar year, as well as separate limits on the number of awards that may be granted to non-employee directors.

In the event of any share dividend, share split, reverse share split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, spin-off, combination, transaction or exchange of shares, or other corporate exchange, or any cash dividend or distribution to shareholders other than ordinary cash dividends or any transaction similar to the foregoing, the administrator shall equitably adjust:

 

   

the number or kind of shares or securities issued or reserved for issuance pursuant to the SGH Plan or pursuant to outstanding awards under the SGH Plan, as well as any individual award limits under the SGH Plan;

 

   

the exercise price of any option; and/or

 

   

any other affected terms of such awards.

Upon a change in control, as defined in the SGH Plan, the administrator may cause any outstanding award to be:

 

   

continued by us;

 

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assumed, or substituted with a substantially equivalent award, by the successor company (or its parents or any of its subsidiaries); or

 

   

canceled in consideration of a cash payment or alternative award equal in value of the consideration to be paid in the change in control transaction, directly or indirectly, to holders of the same number of shares subject to such award (or if no consideration is paid, then the fair market value) over the aggregate exercise price.

In the event of a dissolution or liquidation, then all outstanding awards will terminate immediately prior to such event. The administrator may amend, modify or terminate any award under the SGH Plan; provided that any such amendment, modification or termination that would adversely affect a participant’s rights requires the consent of such participant.

The SGH Plan will terminate in 2027 unless the term is extended or terminated earlier by the board of directors.

401(k) Plan

We maintain a tax-qualified retirement plan, or the 401(k) plan, for U.S. employees that provides eligible employees with an opportunity to save for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis. Eligible employees are able to participate in the 401(k) plan when they meet the 401(k) plan’s eligibility requirements, and participants are able to defer eligible compensation subject to applicable annual Code limits. All participants’ interests in their deferrals are 100% vested when contributed. The 401(k) plan permits us to make matching contributions and profit sharing contributions to eligible participants.

Indemnification and Insurance

As we are a Cayman Islands exempted company, the laws of the Cayman Islands will be relevant to the provisions relating to indemnification of our directors and officers. Although the Companies Law does not specifically restrict a Cayman Islands exempted company’s ability to indemnify its directors or officers, it does not expressly provide for such indemnification either. Certain Commonwealth case law (which is likely to be persuasive in the Cayman Islands), however, indicates that the indemnification is generally permissible, unless there had been actual fraud, willful default or reckless disregard on the part of the director or officer in question.

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that each of our directors, agents or officers shall be indemnified out of our assets against any liability incurred by them as a result of any act or failure to act in carrying out their functions other than such liability, if any, that they may incur by their own actual fraud, willful neglect or default. No such director, agent or officer shall be liable to us for any loss or damage in carrying out their functions unless that liability arises through the actual fraud, willful neglect or default of such director, agent or officer.

We have also entered into indemnification agreements with our directors, executive officers and certain other employees under which we have agreed to indemnify each such person and hold them harmless against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts payable under settlement agreements in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding to which they have been made a party or in which they became involved by reason of the fact that they are or were our director or officer. Except with respect to expenses to be reimbursed by us in the event that the indemnified person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of the action, suit or proceeding, our obligations under the indemnification agreements are subject to certain customary restrictions and exceptions.

In addition, we maintain standard policies of insurance under which coverage is provided to our directors and officers against loss rising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act, and to us with respect to payments which may be made by us to such directors and officers pursuant to the above indemnification provision or otherwise as a matter of law.

 

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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

Each of our ordinary shares entitles its holder to one vote. The following table presents the beneficial ownership of our shares as of April 30, 2017 for:

 

   

each of our named executive officers;

 

   

each of our directors;

 

   

each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our ordinary shares; and

 

   

all of our executive officers and directors as a group.

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on the information furnished to us, that the persons and entities named in the tables below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all ordinary shares that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws.

Ordinary shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2017 are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding the options for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Percentage ownership is based on 14,013,069 ordinary shares outstanding on April 30, 2017.

We have based our calculation of the percentage of beneficial ownership after the offering on ordinary shares outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares).

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

   Number of  Shares
Beneficially Owned (1)
    Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned  
     Before the Offering     After the Offering  

5% Shareholders:

      

Entities affiliated with Silver Lake Partners (2)

     8,504,504       60.7     40.8

Entities affiliated with Silver Lake Sumeru (3)

     4,252,251       30.3     20.4

Directors and Named Executive Officers:

      

Iain MacKenzie (4)

     514,060       3.6     2.4

Jack Pacheco (5)

     79,517 *      

Alan Marten (6)

     223,272       1.6     1.1

Ajay Shah (3)(7)

     244,603       1.7     1.2

James Davidson (2)(3)

     —         —      

Kenneth Hao (2)

     —         —      

Paul Mercadante (3)

     —         —      

Sandeep Nayyar (8)

     2,989    

Mukesh Patel (9)

     159,001       1.1  

Jason White (10)

     —         —      

All directors and executive officers as a group
(12 persons)
(11)

     1,367,185       9.5     6.4

 

* Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%
(1) Shares shown in the table above include shares held in the beneficial owner’s name or jointly with others, or in the name of a bank, nominee or trustee for the beneficial owner’s account.
(2)

Consists of (i) 8,458,920 shares held of record by Silver Lake Partners III Cayman (AIV III), L.P. (“SLP III Cayman”), the general partner of which is Silver Lake Technology Associates III Cayman, L.P. (“SLTA III Cayman”), and (ii) 45,584 shares held of record by Silver Lake Technology Investors III Cayman, L.P. (together with SLP III Cayman and SLTA III Cayman, the “SLP III Cayman Entities”), the general partner

 

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  of which is SLTA III Cayman. Silver Lake (Offshore) AIV GP III, Ltd. (“SL III Offshore Ltd”) is the general partner of SLTA III Cayman. As such, SL III Offshore Ltd may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the securities over which any of the SLP III Cayman Entities has voting or dispositive power. SL III Offshore Ltd is controlled by a board of eight directors that acts by majority approval and possesses sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by the SLP III Cayman Entities. The individual members of such board are Messrs. Jim Davidson, Ken Hao, Michael Bingle, Greg Mondre, Egon Durban, Joe Osnoss and Andrew Wagner, and Ms. Karen King. The address for each of the entities referenced above is c/o Silver Lake, 2775 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
(3) Consists of (i) 4,201,097 shares held of record by Silver Lake Sumeru Fund Cayman, L.P. (“SLS Cayman”), the general partner of which is Silver Lake Technology Associates Sumeru Cayman, L.P. (“SLTA Sumeru Cayman”), the general partner of which is SLTA Sumeru (GP) Cayman, L.P. (“SLTA Sumeru GP Cayman”), and (ii) 51,154 shares held of record by Silver Lake Technology Investors Sumeru Cayman, L.P. (together with SLS Cayman, SLTA Sumeru Cayman and SLTA Sumeru GP Cayman, the “SLS Cayman Entities”), the general partner of which is SLTA Sumeru Cayman. Silver Lake Sumeru (Offshore) AIV GP, Ltd. (“SL Sumeru Offshore Ltd”) is the general partner of SLTA Sumeru GP Cayman. As such, SL Sumeru Offshore Ltd may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the securities over which any of the SLS Cayman Entities has voting or dispositive power. SL Sumeru Offshore Ltd. is controlled by a board of nine directors that acts by majority approval and possesses sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by the SLS Cayman Entities. The individual members of such board are: Messrs. Ajay Shah, Jim Davidson, Paul Mercadante, Kyle Ryland, John Brennan, Egon Durban and Andrew Wagner and Mses. Hollie Moore-Haynes and Karen King. The address for each of the entities referenced above is c/o Silver Lake, 2775 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
(4) Consists of (i) 383,326 shares of record held by Mr. MacKenzie and (ii) 130,734 shares issuable pursuant to outstanding share options which are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2017.
(5) Consists of 79,517 shares issuable pursuant to outstanding share options which are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2017.
(6) Consists of (i) 112,666 shares of record held by Mr. Marten and (ii) 110,606 shares issuable pursuant to outstanding share options which are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2017.
(7) Consists of (i) 93,878 shares of record held by Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, L.P. Fund No. 1, for which Mr. Shah serves as a trustee; (ii) 10,561 shares of record held by Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, L.P. Fund No. 3, for which Mr. Shah serves as a trustee; (iii) 116,749 shares of record held by The Ajay B. Shah and Lata K. Shah 1996 Trust (U/A/D 5/28/1996), for which Mr. Shah serves as a trustee; (iv) 18,118 shares of record held by Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, L.P. Fund No. 4, for which Mr. Shah serves as a trustee; and (v) 5,297 shares held of record by Mr. Shah. The address for Mr. Shah is c/o Silver Lake, 2775 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
(8) The address for Mr. Nayyar is c/o Power Integrations, Inc., 5245 Hellyer Avenue, San Jose, CA 95138.
(9) Consists of (i) 94,762 shares held of record by Patel Family Partners L.P.—Fund No. 2, for which Mr. Patel serves as a trustee; (ii) 54,705 shares held of record by The Patel Revocable Trust (U/A/D 6/6/2002), for which Mr. Patel serves as a trustee; and (iii) 9,534 shares held of record by Mr. Patel.
(10) The address for Mr. White is c/o Silver Lake, 2775 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
(11) Includes 375,419 shares issuable pursuant to outstanding share options which are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2017.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Since August 30, 2014, there has not been, nor is there any proposed transaction in which we were or will be a party, in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000 and in which any director, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than as set forth below and the compensation, employment and other agreements and transactions which are described in “Management” and “Executive Compensation” elsewhere in this prospectus.

Sponsor Shareholder Agreement

In anticipation of this offering, we have entered into the Sponsor Shareholder Agreement with Silver Lake and Ajay Shah and his affiliated investment vehicles. The Sponsor Shareholder Agreement will become effective upon the closing of this offering. The Sponsor Shareholder Agreement, as further described below, will contain specific rights, obligations and agreements of these parties as owners of our ordinary shares. In addition, the Sponsor Shareholder Agreement will contain provisions related to the composition of our board of directors and its committees, which are discussed under “Management—Board of Directors” and “Management—Board Committees.”

Sponsor Approvals

Under the Sponsor Shareholder Agreement, the actions listed below by us or any of our subsidiaries will require the approval of Silver Lake for so long as Silver Lake collectively owns ordinary shares in an amount equal to or greater than 25% of our ordinary shares outstanding immediately following the consummation of this offering. The actions include:

 

   

entering into change of control transactions;

 

   

acquiring or disposing of assets or entering into joint ventures with a value in excess of $5 million;

 

   

incurring capital expenditures in any fiscal year in excess of 10% over the amount of capital expenditures provided for in the annual budget;

 

   

incurring indebtedness for borrowed money;

 

   

initiating any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding involving any of our subsidiaries;

 

   

making any material change in the nature of the business conducted by us or our subsidiaries;

 

   

terminating the employment of our Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer or hiring a new Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer;

 

   

changing the size or composition of our board of directors;

 

   

entering into certain transactions with Silver Lake Partners, Silver Lake Sumeru or any of our other affiliates;

 

   

amending, waiving or otherwise modifying the Investors Shareholders Agreement or any other key contractual terms with our management;

 

   

adopting or amending the annual operating plan of the Company; and

 

   

delegation of any of the above actions to any committee of the board of directors.

Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement

In connection with the closing of the Acquisition, and as a condition to being eligible to receive future grants of share-based incentives, certain employee investors entered into a shareholder agreement, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement, with us, Silver Lake and Ajay

 

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Shah and his affiliated investment vehicles. Under the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement, the employee investors are subject to certain transfer restrictions, drag-along rights and call rights. The drag-along rights and call rights will terminate upon the occurrence of this offering; however, certain transfer restrictions survive this offering, including that no such employee investor may transfer our ordinary shares without the consent of Silver Lake to any person that is a competitor or potential competitor of ours or that is known to hold (directly or indirectly) more than 5% ownership interest in any such competitor (other than in a registered public offering or under Rule 144 through a securities exchange or national quotation system or through a broker, dealer or other market maker, in a manner in which the identity of the purchaser has not been designated by the seller and is effected in a manner through which the identity of the purchaser would not customarily be available to the seller).

Investors Shareholders Agreement

In connection with the closing of the Acquisition, certain management and employee investors entered into a shareholder agreement with us, Silver Lake and Ajay Shah and his affiliated investment vehicles. This agreement was amended and restated as of November 5, 2016 in connection with the amendment and restatement of our Senior Secured Credit Agreement, at which time the Warrant Holders became parties to the agreement and will be further amended in connection with this offering, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Investors Shareholders Agreement. Under the Investors Shareholders Agreement, the Warrant Holders and certain members of our management are subject to transfer restrictions, tag-along rights, drag-along rights, participation rights and call rights. The tag-along rights, drag-along rights, participation rights and call rights will terminate upon the occurrence of this offering; however, certain transfer restrictions survive this offering including that no such Warrant Holders or management investors may transfer our ordinary shares without the consent of Silver Lake to any person that is a competitor or potential competitor of ours or that is known to hold (directly or indirectly) more than 5% ownership interest in any such competitor (other than in a registered public offering or under Rule 144 through a securities exchange or national quotation system or through a broker, dealer or other market maker, in a manner in which the identity of the purchaser has not been designated by the seller and is effected in a manner through which the identity of the purchaser would not customarily be available to the seller).

In addition, a group of key management investors, including Iain MacKenzie, Alan Marten and Bruce Goldberg, are also subject to additional transfer restrictions following this offering until the third anniversary of such initial public offering. These transfer restrictions include caps on the number of ordinary shares that may be transferred by such key management investor (or his or her permitted transferees). Such caps will be based on the number of shares transferred by the Silver Lake investors during the applicable period; provided that (i) from the period beginning on the first anniversary of this offering and ending on the second anniversary of this offering, the cap with respect to each key management investor shall be no lower than 20% of the sum of the number of ordinary shares held by such investor and the number of ordinary shares underlying vested options and RSUs held by such investor, each as of the first anniversary of this offering and (ii) from the period beginning on the second anniversary of this offering and ending on the third anniversary of this offering, the cap with respect to each key management investor shall be no lower than 20% of the sum of the number of ordinary shares held by such investor and the number of ordinary shares underlying vested options and RSUs held by such investor, each as of the second anniversary of this offering.

Management Agreement

In August 2011, in connection with the closing of the Acquisition, we became party to a transaction and management fee agreement with the Managers, which, as amended and restated as of November 5, 2016 in connection with the amendment and restatement of our Senior Secured Credit Agreement, we refer to in this prospectus as the Management Agreement. At the closing of the Acquisition, we paid the Managers a $15.0 million transaction fee for services provided to us in evaluating, negotiating, documenting, financing and closing the Acquisition.

 

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Pursuant to the Management Agreement, following the closing of the Acquisition, we retained the Managers to provide general executive, management and other services to us, for which we record quarterly fees of $1.0 million, plus out-of-pocket expenses. During the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal years 2016 and 2015, we recorded expenses of $2.0 million, $4.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively, in connection with the Management Agreement, of which $3.7 million was unpaid as of February 24, 2017. We expect to record quarterly expenses in connection therewith until the completion of this offering.

The Management Agreement has an initial term of 10 years from the date of the original agreement, with automatic one-year renewal terms thereafter, subject to the Managers’ right to terminate the agreement in connection with a change in control transaction or an initial public offering. The Management Agreement specifies that, upon termination, we will pay to the Managers any unpaid management fees. We and the Managers intend to terminate the Management Agreement upon the completion of this offering. We do not expect to pay the fees that remain due and payable under the Management Agreement until after we have repaid the full amount of the term loans outstanding under the Secured Credit Agreement.

Indemnification

Under the Sponsor Shareholder Agreement, we will agree, subject to certain exceptions, to indemnify Silver Lake and various affiliated persons from certain losses arising out of the indemnified persons’ investment in, or actual, alleged or deemed control or ability to influence, us.

We also have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers and intend to continue doing so in the future. See “Executive Compensation—Indemnification and Insurance.”

Registration Rights Agreement

We entered into a registration rights agreement, dated August 26, 2011, with Silver Lake, Mr. Ajay Shah and certain entities affiliated with him, Mr. Mukesh Patel and certain entities affiliated with him and certain of our executive officers. This agreement was amended and restated as of November 5, 2016 in connection with the amendment and restatement of our Senior Secured Credit Agreement, at which time the Warrant Holders became parties to the agreement, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Registration Rights Agreement. Upon the completion of this offering, holders of a total of 16,379,514 ordinary shares as of April 30, 2017, including 825,302 shares subject to options and 1,541,143 shares underlying the First Tranche Warrants, in each case exercisable as of April 30, 2017 or exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2017, will have the right to require us to register these shares under the Securities Act or to participate in future registrations of securities by us, under the circumstances described below. In addition, the benefits of the Registration Rights Agreement would apply to the ordinary shares underlying the Second Tranche Warrants if there are still balances outstanding under our existing term loans on November 5, 2017 and the Second Tranche Warrants are exercised thereafter. After registration pursuant to these rights, these shares will become freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act. If not otherwise exercised, the rights described below will expire (a) with the prior consent of both Silver Lake and the Warrant Holders in connection with a non-qualifying change of control, as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, (b) with the prior consent of Silver Lake in connection with any other change of control, as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, or (c) with respect to any party to the Registration Rights Agreement, at such time such party does not beneficially own any registrable shares subject to the Registration Rights Agreement.

Shelf Registration Rights

Beginning 90 days after the date on which Silver Lake is no longer subject to any lock-up or contractual restrictions (excluding the Sponsor Shareholder Agreement), Silver Lake may at any time request in writing that we file a shelf registration statement to permit the sale or distribution of all or a portion of their registrable

 

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shares. Beginning 90 days after the date on which the Warrant Holders are no longer subject to any lock-up or contractual restrictions, the Warrant Holders may at any time request in writing that we file a shelf registration statement to permit the sale or distribution of their registrable shares at an aggregate offering price of at least $25 million. Subject to specified limitations set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, holders may request that their registrable shares be joined to this request. Subject to specified limitations set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, we may delay filing a registration statement pursuant to this provision on no more than two occasions in any 12-month period.

Demand Registration Rights

Subject to specified limitations set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, Silver Lake may demand in writing that we register all or a portion of the registrable shares under the Securities Act if the total amount of registrable shares registered can reasonably be anticipated to have a net aggregate offering price of at least $25 million. Subject to specified limitations set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, we may delay filing a registration statement pursuant to this provision on no more than two occasions in any 12-month period.

Piggyback Registration Rights

In the event that we propose to register any of our shares under the Securities Act, either for our own account or for the account of other security holders, each holder of registrable shares is entitled to notice of such registration and are entitled to certain “piggyback” registration rights allowing them to include their shares in such registration, subject to certain marketing and other limitations. Any such limitations on the number of registrable securities that may be included by such holders must be on a pro-rata basis.

The Registration Rights Agreement also contains certain customary cross-indemnification provisions.

Other Relationships

In addition to transactions pursuant to the Management Agreement, in the ordinary course of business, we sold goods and services to affiliates of Silver Lake during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, for which we recorded net sales of $26.7 million, $38.8 million and $97.0 million, respectively. In October 2013, investment funds affiliated with Silver Lake, together with other investors, acquired Dell, one of our top three end customers by net sales during fiscal 2015.

We also have entered into employment agreements with our executive officers. See “Executive Compensation—Employment and Severance Agreements.”

Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions

Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, a director who is in any way interested in a contract or transaction with the company will declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the board of directors. A director may vote in respect of any such contract or transaction notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote will be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the board of directors at which any such contract or transaction shall come before the meeting of the board of directors for consideration. In connection with this offering, we have adopted a written audit committee charter, pursuant to which the audit committee must review all related party transactions required to be disclosed in our financial statements and approve any such related party transaction, unless the transaction is approved by another independent committee of our board. In approving or rejecting the proposed agreement, our audit committee shall consider the relevant facts and circumstances available and deemed relevant to the audit committee, including, but not limited to the risks, costs and benefits to us, the terms of the transaction, the availability of other sources for comparable services or products and, if applicable, the impact on a director’s independence. In addition, our written code of business conduct and ethics requires that directors, executive

 

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officers and employees make appropriate disclosure of potential conflicts of interest situations to the audit committee, in the case of directors and executive officers, or to the supervisor who will then seek authorization from the compliance officer, in the case of employees.

Prior to this offering, we have not had a written policy for the review and approval of transactions with related persons. However, our board of directors has reviewed and approved any transaction where a director or executive officer had a financial interest, including the transactions described above. Prior to approving such a transaction, the material facts as to a director’s or officer’s relationship or interest as to the agreement or transaction were disclosed to our board of directors. Our board of directors would take this information into account when evaluating the transaction and in determining whether such transaction was fair to us and in the best interest of all of our shareholders.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

The following description of our share capital assumes the adoption of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which we will file in connection with this offering. Throughout this description, we summarize the material terms of our share capital as though such amended and restated memorandum and articles of association were presently in effect. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorize the issuance of up to 200,000,000 ordinary shares and 30,000,000 preferred shares. As of February 24, 2017, 13,870,322 ordinary shares were issued and outstanding and held of record by 98 shareholders. In addition, 3,467,571 ordinary shares were subject to warrants outstanding as of February 24, 2017, with an exercise price of $0.03 per share, and 1,474,807 ordinary shares were subject to options outstanding as of February 24, 2017, with a weighted-average exercise price of $10.74 per share.

We are incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability under Cayman Islands law and our affairs are governed by the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, and by the provisions of the Companies Law. A Cayman Islands company qualifies for exempted status if its operations will be conducted mainly outside of the Cayman Islands. Exempted companies are exempted from complying with certain provisions of the Companies Law. An exempted company is not required to obtain prior approval for registration or to hold an annual general meeting, and the annual return that must be filed with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands is considerably more simple than for non-exempted Cayman Islands companies. Names of shareholders are not required to be filed with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands. While there are currently no forms of direct taxation, withholding or capital gains tax in the Cayman Islands, an exempted company is entitled to apply for a tax exemption certificate from the Governor in Cabinet, which provides written confirmation that, among other things, should the laws of the Cayman Islands change, the company will not be subject to taxes for the period during which the certificate is valid (usually 20 years). See “Taxation—Cayman Islands Tax Considerations.” The following is a summary of some of the more important terms of our share capital that we expect will become effective on the consummation of this offering. For a complete description, you should refer to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which are filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and the applicable provisions of the Companies Law.

Ordinary Shares

General

All of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. The ordinary shares are issued in registered form. Our ordinary shares are not entitled to any sinking fund or pre-emptive or redemption rights. Our shareholders may freely hold and vote their shares.

Dividends

The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors subject to the Companies Law. Dividends may be paid only out of profits, which include net earnings and retained earnings undistributed in prior years, and out of share premium, a concept analogous to paid-in surplus in the United States, subject to a statutory solvency test.

Voting Rights

Each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each ordinary share on all matters upon which the ordinary shares are entitled to vote, including the election of directors. Voting at any shareholders’ meeting is by way of a poll.

A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of one or more holders of shares present in person or by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative) together

 

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holding (or representing by proxy) not less than a majority of the total voting power of all shares outstanding and entitled to vote. General meetings of our shareholders are held annually and may be convened by our board of directors on its own initiative. Extraordinary meetings of our shareholders may be called at any time only by or at the direction of the board of directors or the chairman of the board of directors; however, so long as Silver Lake owns at least 40% of our outstanding ordinary shares, extraordinary meetings of our shareholders will also be called by the board of directors at the request of either Silver Lake Partners or Silver Lake Sumeru. Advance notice to shareholders of at least 14 calendar days is required for the convening of any annual general meeting or other shareholders’ meetings.

An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires a simple majority of votes cast in a general meeting, while a special resolution requires no less than 75% of the votes cast. Under the Companies Law, certain matters must be approved by special resolution of the shareholders, including alteration of the memorandum or articles of association, reduction of share capital, change of name, or voluntary winding up the company.

Liquidation

On a return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or purchase of shares), assets available for distribution among the holders of ordinary shares shall be distributed among the holders of the ordinary shares in accordance with the Companies Law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders proportionately.

Inspection of Books and Records

Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records.

Register of Members

Under Cayman Islands law, we must keep a register of members and include the following items:

 

   

the names and addresses of the members, a statement of the shares held by each member and the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on the shares of each member;

 

   

the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a member; and

 

   

the date on which any person ceased to be a member.

Under Cayman Islands law, the register of members is prima facie evidence of the matters set forth therein ( i.e. , the register will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted), and a member registered in the register of members shall be deemed as a matter of Cayman Islands law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. Upon the closing of this offering, the register of members shall be immediately updated to reflect the shares that we will have issued in connection with this offering. Once our register of members has been updated, the shareholders recorded in the register of members shall be deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their names. If the name of any person is incorrectly entered in or omitted from our register of members, or if there is any default or unnecessary delay in updating the register for any person that has ceased to be a member of our company, such aggrieved person or member (or any member of our company or our company itself) may apply to the Cayman Islands Grand Court for an order that the register be rectified, and the Court may either refuse such application or, if satisfied with the justice of the case, order the register be rectified.

Undesignated Preferred Shares

Pursuant to our amended and restated articles of association, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the shareholders, to issue up to 30,000,000 preferred shares in one or more series and to

 

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designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferred shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the ordinary shares.

Lender Warrants

In November 2016, we issued Lender Warrants to purchase 3,467,571 of our ordinary shares to the Warrant Holders. The Lender Warrants are exercisable at $0.03 per share, with the 1,541,143 First Tranche Warrants currently exercisable. Upon the completion of this offering, the First Tranche Warrants will be deemed net exercised if not previously exercised, and the 1,926,428 Second Tranche Warrants, as amended in April 2017, will remain outstanding but will only become exercisable if there are balances outstanding under our existing term loans on November 5, 2017.

Registration Rights Agreement

See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement” and “Shares Eligible for Future Sale—Registration Rights” for a description of the Registration Rights Agreement entered into with Silver Lake, certain entities affiliated with Mr. Ajay Shah, certain entities affiliated with Mr. Mukesh Patel, the Warrant Holders and certain of our executive officers.

Sponsor Shareholder Agreement

Pursuant to our Sponsor Shareholder Agreement, we will not take certain actions specified in the Sponsor Shareholder Agreement without the consent of Silver Lake. Please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Sponsor Shareholder Agreement” elsewhere in this prospectus.

Anti-Takeover Provisions of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association

Some provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders might otherwise view as favorable and are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of our company. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, reduce our vulnerability to a hostile change in control or other unsolicited acquisition proposal and enhance the ability of our board of directors to maximize shareholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire us. However, these provisions may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a merger or acquisition of our company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or other takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider in its best interest, including attempts that might result in a premium over the prevailing market price for our ordinary shares.

Classified Board of Directors

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that our board of directors is classified into three classes of directors with staggered three year terms . A third party may be discouraged from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us as it is more difficult and time consuming for shareholders to replace a majority of the directors on a classified board of directors . See “Management—Board of Directors.”

Breaches of Fiduciary Duty

To the maximum extent permitted under Cayman Islands law, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will indemnify our directors against any personal liability of our directors for breaches of fiduciary duty.

 

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Removal of Directors

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that directors may be removed with or without cause upon the affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares, so long as Silver Lake collectively owns at least 40% of our outstanding ordinary shares; however, at any time when Silver Lake collectively owns less than 40% of our outstanding ordinary shares, directors may only be removed for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 75% of our outstanding ordinary shares.

Vacancies

In addition, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association also provides that any newly created directorship on the board of directors that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on our board of directors will be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum, by a sole remaining director or by the affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares, so long as Silver Lake collectively owns at least 40% of our outstanding ordinary shares; however, at any time when Silver Lake collectively owns less than 40% of our outstanding ordinary shares, any newly created directorship on the board of directors that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the board of directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by the shareholders). Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that the board of directors may increase the number of directors by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors or, at any time when Silver Lake collectively owns at least 40% of our outstanding ordinary shares, by the affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares.

Board Quorum

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that at any meeting of the board of directors, a majority of the total number of directors then in office constitutes a quorum for all purposes; however, so long as there is at least one Silver Lake Director on the board, a quorum shall also require at least one Silver Lake Director for all purposes. Following the consummation of this offering, if any such required Silver Lake Director fails to appear at a meeting of the board of directors, and such meeting is adjourned with proper notice and postponed with no change to the agenda, and such Silver Lake Director again fails to appear at such postponed meeting, a majority of the total number of directors then in office without such Silver Lake Director constitutes a quorum for all purposes.

Shareholder Action by Written Consent

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that any action required to be taken at any annual or extraordinary meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if, in the case of an ordinary resolution, a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding ordinary shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all of our outstanding ordinary shares were present and voted, or in the case of a special resolution by all holders of ordinary shares having the right to vote, unless our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides otherwise, so long as Silver Lake collectively owns at least 40% of our outstanding ordinary shares. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will preclude shareholder action by written consent at any time when Silver Lake collectively owns less than 40% of our outstanding ordinary shares, provided that shareholders may always act by a unanimous written resolution.

Extraordinary Shareholder Meetings

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association limits the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders and provides that extraordinary meetings of our

 

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shareholders may be called at any time only by or at the direction of the board of directors or the chairman of the board of directors; however, so long as Silver Lake collectively owns at least 40% of our outstanding ordinary shares, extraordinary meetings of our shareholders may also be called by the board of directors at the request of either Silver Lake Partners or Silver Lake Sumeru.

Supermajority Provisions

Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that the affirmative vote of at least 75% of our outstanding ordinary shares attending and voting at a general meeting or a unanimous written resolution is required to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

The combination of the foregoing provisions will make it more difficult for our existing shareholders to replace our board of directors as well as for another party to obtain control of us by replacing our board of directors. Because our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing shareholders or another party to effect a change in management. However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.

Comparison of Cayman Islands Corporate Law

Cayman Islands companies are governed by the Companies Law. The Companies Law is modeled on English Law but does not follow recent English Law statutory enactments, and differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the material differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.

Mergers and Similar Arrangements

In certain circumstances the Companies Law allows for mergers or consolidations between two or more Cayman Islands companies, or between one or more Cayman Islands companies and one or more companies incorporated in another jurisdiction (provided that is permitted or not prohibited by the laws of that other jurisdiction).

Where the merger or consolidation is between two Cayman Islands companies, the directors of each company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation containing certain prescribed information. That plan or merger or consolidation must then be authorized by either (i) a special resolution of the shareholders of each company; or (ii) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. A shareholder may have the right to vote on a merger or consolidation regardless of whether the shares that he holds otherwise give him voting rights. No shareholder resolution is required for a merger between a parent company ( i.e. , a company that owns at least 90% of the issued shares of each class in a subsidiary company) and its subsidiary company if a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of such subsidiary company unless a member agrees otherwise. The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest of a constituent company must be obtained, unless the court waives such requirement. If the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies is satisfied that the requirements of the Companies Law (which includes certain other formalities) have been complied with, the Registrar of Companies will register the plan of merger or consolidation.

Where the merger or consolidation involves a foreign company, the procedure is similar, save that with respect to the foreign company, the director of the Cayman Islands company is required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, he is of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been

 

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met: (i) that the merger or consolidation is permitted or not prohibited by the constitutional documents of the foreign company and by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the foreign company is incorporated, and that those laws and any requirements of those constitutional documents have been or will be complied with; (ii) that no petition or other similar proceeding has been filed and remains outstanding or order made or resolution adopted to wind up or liquidate the foreign company in any jurisdictions; (iii) that no receiver, trustee, administrator or other similar person has been appointed in any jurisdiction and is acting in respect of the foreign company, its affairs or its property or any part thereof; (iv) that no scheme, order, compromise or other similar arrangement has been entered into or made in any jurisdiction whereby the rights of creditors of the foreign company are and continue to be suspended or restricted.

Where the surviving company is the Cayman Islands company, the director of the Cayman Islands company is further required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, he is of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the foreign company is able to pay its debts as they fall due and that the merger or consolidated is bona fide and not intended to defraud unsecured creditors of the foreign company; (ii) that in respect of the transfer of any security interest granted by the foreign company to the surviving or consolidated company (a) consent or approval to the transfer has been obtained, released or waived; (b) the transfer is permitted by and has been approved in accordance with the constitutional documents of the foreign company; and (c) the laws of the jurisdiction of the foreign company with respect to the transfer have been or will be complied with; (iii) that the foreign company will, upon the merger or consolidation becoming effective, cease to be incorporated, registered or exist under the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction; and (iv) that there is no other reason why it would be against the public interest to permit the merger or consolidation.

Where the above procedures are adopted, the Companies Law provides for a right of dissenting shareholders to be paid a payment of the fair value of his shares upon their dissenting to the merger or consolidation if they follow a prescribed procedure. In essence, that procedure is as follows: (i) the shareholder must give his written objection to the merger or consolidation to the constituent company before the vote on the merger or consolidation, including a statement that the shareholder proposes to demand payment for his shares if the merger or consolidation is authorized by the vote; (ii) within 20 days following the date on which the merger or consolidation is approved by the shareholders, the constituent company must give written notice to each shareholder who made a written objection; (iii) a shareholder must within 20 days following receipt of such notice from the constituent company, give the constituent company a written notice of his intention to dissent including, among other details, a demand for payment of the fair value of his shares; (iv) within seven days following the date of the expiration of the period set out in paragraph (ii) above or seven days following the date on which the plan of merger or consolidation is filed, whichever is later, the constituent company, the surviving company or the consolidated company must make a written offer to each dissenting shareholder to purchase his shares at a price that the company determines is the fair value and if the company and the shareholder agree the price within 30 days following the date on which the offer was made, the company must pay the shareholder such amount; (v) if the company and the shareholder fail to agree a price within such 30-day period, within 20 days following the date on which such 30-day period expires, the company (and any dissenting shareholder) must file a petition with the Cayman Islands Grand Court to determine the fair value and such petition must be accompanied by a list of the names and addresses of the dissenting shareholders with whom agreements as to the fair value of their shares have not been reached by the company. At the hearing of that petition, the court has the power to determine the fair value of the shares together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid by the company upon the amount determined to be the fair value. Any dissenting shareholder whose name appears on the list filed by the company may participate fully in all proceedings until the determination of fair value is reached. These rights of a dissenting shareholder are not available in certain circumstances, for example, to dissenters holding shares of any class in respect of which an open market exists on a recognized stock exchange or recognized interdealer quotation system at the relevant date or where the consideration for such shares to be contributed are shares of any company listed on a national securities exchange or shares of the surviving or consolidated company.

 

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Moreover, Cayman Islands law also has separate statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction or amalgamation of companies in certain circumstances, schemes of arrangement will generally be more suited for complex mergers or other transactions involving widely held companies, commonly referred to in the Cayman Islands as a “scheme of arrangement” which may be tantamount to a merger. In the event that a merger was sought pursuant to a scheme of arrangement (the procedure of which are more rigorous and take longer to complete than the procedures typically required to consummate a merger in the United States), the arrangement in question must be approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meeting summoned for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the terms of the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder would have the right to express to the court the view that the transaction should not be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it satisfies itself that:

 

   

we are not proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of our corporate authority and the statutory provisions as to majority vote have been complied with;

 

   

the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question;

 

   

the arrangement is such as a businessman would reasonably approve; and

 

   

the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Law or that would amount to a “fraud on the minority.”

If a scheme of arrangement or takeover offer (as described below) is approved, any dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

Squeeze-out Provisions

When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares to whom the offer is made within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith, collusion or inequitable treatment of the shareholders.

Further, transactions similar to a merger, reconstruction and/or an amalgamation may in some circumstances be achieved through other means to these statutory provisions, such as a share capital exchange, asset acquisition or control, through contractual arrangements, of an operating business.

Shareholders’ Suits

Our Cayman Islands counsel is not aware of any reported class action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court. Derivative actions have been brought in the Cayman Islands courts, and the Cayman Islands courts have confirmed the availability for such actions. In most cases, we will be the proper plaintiff in any claim based on a breach of duty owed to us, and a claim against (for example) our officers or directors usually may not be brought by a shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority and be applied by a court in the Cayman Islands, exceptions to the foregoing principle apply in circumstances in which:

 

   

a company is acting, or proposing to act, illegally or beyond the scope of its authority;

 

   

the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of the authority, could be effected if duly authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained; or

 

   

those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”

 

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A shareholder may have a direct right of action against us where the individual rights of that shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed.

Enforcement of Civil Liabilities

The Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides less protection to investors. Additionally, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States. Although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize a foreign judgment as the basis for a claim at common law in the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment:

 

   

is given by a competent foreign court;

 

   

imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given;

 

   

is final;

 

   

is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty; and

 

   

was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to the public policy of the Cayman Islands.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification Matters

See “Executive Compensation—Indemnification and Insurance.”

Listing

We have applied to list our ordinary shares on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SGH”.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is acting as transfer agent and registrar for our ordinary shares. The transfer agent’s address is 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares, and we cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales of our ordinary shares or the availability of our ordinary shares for sale will have on the market price of our ordinary shares prevailing from time to time. Future sales of our ordinary shares in the public market, or the availability of such shares for sale in the public market, could adversely affect market prices prevailing from time to time. As described below, only a limited number of our ordinary shares will be available for sale shortly after this offering due to contractual and legal restrictions on resale. Nevertheless, sales of our ordinary shares in the public market after such restrictions lapse, or the perception that those sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price at such time and our ability to raise equity capital in the future.

Following the completion of this offering, based on the number of our ordinary shares outstanding as of February 24, 2017, we will have a total of 20,708,177 ordinary shares outstanding. Of these outstanding shares, all ordinary shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable, except that any shares purchased in this offering by our affiliates, as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, would only be able to be sold in compliance with the Rule 144 limitations described below.

The remaining outstanding ordinary shares will be, and shares subject to outstanding stock options will be upon issuance, deemed “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Restricted securities may be sold in the public market only if they are registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act, which rules are summarized below. All of our executive officers, directors and holders of substantially all of our equity securities have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters under which they have agreed, subject to specific exceptions, not to sell any of our equity securities for 180 days following the date of this prospectus. As a result of these agreements and subject to the provisions of Rule 144 or Rule 701, ordinary shares will be available for sale in the public market as follows:

 

   

beginning on the date of this prospectus, all ordinary shares sold in this offering will be immediately available for sale in the public market except to the extent purchased by one of our affiliates; and

 

   

beginning 181 days after the date of this prospectus, the remainder of the ordinary shares will be eligible for sale in the public market from time to time thereafter, subject in some cases to restrictions in award agreements and contractual obligations with us or with Silver Lake or the volume and other restrictions of Rule 144, as described below.

Lock-up Agreements

We, our executive officers and directors and holders of substantially all of our outstanding equity securities have agreed not to sell or transfer any ordinary shares or securities convertible into, exchangeable for, exercisable for, or repayable with ordinary shares, for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the written consent of Barclays Capital Inc. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly:

 

   

offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any ordinary shares (including, without limitation, ordinary shares that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and ordinary shares that may be issued upon exercise of any options or warrants) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares;

 

   

enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of ordinary shares, whether any such transaction described in the immediately preceding bullet or this bullet is to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise;

 

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make any demand for or exercise any right or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or any of our other securities; or

 

   

publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, in each case for a period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the 180th day after the date of this prospectus.

This lock-up provision applies to ordinary shares and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with ordinary shares. It also applies to ordinary shares owned now or acquired later by the person executing the agreement or for which the person executing the agreement later acquires the power of disposition. Barclays Capital Inc. may, in its discretion, release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time.

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, once we have been subject to the public company reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days, a person who is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates for purposes of the Securities Act at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned the ordinary shares proposed to be sold for at least six months is entitled to sell those shares without complying with the manner of sale, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144, subject to compliance with the public information requirements of Rule 144. If such a person has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than our affiliates, then that person would be entitled to sell those shares without complying with any of the requirements of Rule 144.

In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, our affiliates or persons selling ordinary shares on behalf of our affiliates are entitled to sell upon expiration of the market standoff agreements and lock-up agreements described above, within any three-month period, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

 

   

1% of the number of our ordinary shares then outstanding, which will equal 207,081 shares immediately after this offering; or

 

   

the average weekly trading volume of our ordinary shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to that sale.

Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons selling ordinary shares on behalf of our affiliates are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

Rule 701

Rule 701 generally allows a shareholder who purchased ordinary shares pursuant to a written compensatory plan or contract and who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of our company during the immediately preceding 90 days to sell these shares in reliance upon Rule 144, but without being required to comply with the public information, holding period, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144. Rule 701 also permits affiliates of our company to sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of Rule 144. All holders of Rule 701 shares, however, are required to wait until 90 days after the date of this prospectus before selling those shares pursuant to Rule 701.

Registration Rights

See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement” for a description of the Registration Rights Agreement entered into with Silver Lake, certain entities affiliated with

 

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Mr. Ajay Shah, certain entities affiliated with Mr. Mukesh Patel, the Warrant Holders and certain of our executive officers. Upon the completion of this offering, holders of a total of 16,379,514 ordinary shares as of April 30, 2017, including 825,302 shares subject to options and 1,541,143 shares underlying the First Tranche Warrants, in each case exercisable as of April 30, 2017 or exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2017, will have the right to require us to register these shares under the Securities Act or to participate in future registrations of securities by us, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. In addition, the benefits of the Registration Rights Agreement would apply to the ordinary shares underlying the Second Tranche Warrants if there are still balances outstanding under our existing term loans on November 5, 2017 and the Second Tranche Warrants are exercised thereafter. After registration pursuant to these rights, these shares will become freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act. If not otherwise exercised, the rights described below will expire (a) with the prior consent of both Silver Lake and the Warrant Holders in connection with a non-qualifying change of control, as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, (b) with the prior consent of Silver Lake in connection with any other change of control, as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, or (c) with respect to any party to the Registration Rights Agreement, at such time such party does not beneficially own any registrable shares subject to the Registration Rights Agreement.

Registration Statement

We intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act promptly after the completion of this offering to register ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, as well as any ordinary shares reserved for future issuance, under our SGH Plan. The registration statement on Form S-8 is expected to become effective immediately upon filing, and ordinary shares covered by the registration statement will then become eligible for sale in the public market, subject to the Rule 144 limitations applicable to affiliates, vesting restrictions and any applicable market standoff agreements and lock-up agreements. See the section titled “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans” for a description of our equity compensation plans.

 

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TAXATION

The following summary contains a description of certain Cayman Islands and U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase ordinary shares. The summary is based upon the tax laws of Cayman Islands and regulations thereunder and on the tax laws of the United States and regulations thereunder as of the date hereof, which are subject to change.

Cayman Islands Tax Considerations

Prospective investors should consult their professional advisers on the possible tax consequences of buying, holding or selling any of our ordinary shares under the laws of their country of citizenship, residence or domicile. The following is a discussion on certain Cayman Islands income tax consequences of an investment in our ordinary shares. The discussion is a general summary of present law, which is subject to prospective and retroactive change. It is not intended as tax advice, does not consider any investor’s particular circumstances and does not consider tax consequences other than those arising under Cayman Islands law.

Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our ordinary shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of our ordinary shares, as the case may be, nor will gains derived from the disposal of our ordinary shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax. The Cayman Islands currently have no income, corporation or capital gains tax and no estate duty, inheritance tax or gift tax.

No stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue of our ordinary shares or on an instrument of transfer in respect of an ordinary share.

The Company has been incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability and, as such, has obtained an undertaking from the Governor in Cabinet of the Cayman Islands in substantially the following form:

The Tax Concessions Law

(2011 Revision)

Undertaking as to Tax Concessions

In accordance with Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Law (2011 Revision) the Governor in Cabinet undertakes with SMART Global Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”).

 

  (a) that no Law which is hereafter enacted in the Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations shall apply to the Company or its operations; and

 

  (b) in addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax shall be payable:

 

  (i) on or in respect of the shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company; or

 

  (ii) by way of the withholding in whole or part, of any relevant payment as defined in Section 6(3) of the Tax Concessions Law (2011 Revision).

These concessions shall be for a period of TWENTY years from the 13th day of May 2014.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, the following is a description of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holders described below of owning and disposing of our ordinary shares. It is not a comprehensive description of all tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person’s decision

 

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to acquire the ordinary shares. This discussion applies only to a U.S. Holder that acquires our ordinary shares pursuant to this offering and holds them as capital assets for tax purposes. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of the U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including alternative minimum tax consequences, the potential application of the Medicare contribution tax and tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as:

 

   

certain financial institutions;

 

   

dealers or traders in securities who use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting;

 

   

persons holding our ordinary shares as part of a hedging transaction, straddle, wash sale, conversion transaction or integrated transaction or persons entering into a constructive sale with respect to the ordinary shares;

 

   

persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;

 

   

entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

   

tax-exempt entities, “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs”;

 

   

persons that own or are deemed to own ten percent or more of our voting stock; or

 

   

persons holding our ordinary shares in connection with a trade or business conducted outside of the United States.

If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes owns ordinary shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships owning our ordinary shares and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of our ordinary shares.

This discussion is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.

A “U.S. Holder” is a holder who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of ordinary shares and is:

 

   

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; or

 

   

an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of owning and disposing of our ordinary shares in their particular circumstances.

This discussion assumes that the Company is not, and will not become, a passive foreign investment company, as described below.

Taxation of Distributions

As discussed above under “Dividend Policy,” the Company does not currently intend to declare dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. In the event that the Company does pay dividends, distributions paid on our ordinary shares, other than certain pro rata distributions payable only in ordinary shares, will be treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid out of the Company’s current or

 

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accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Subject to applicable limitations, dividends paid by qualified foreign corporations to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders may be taxable at preferential rates. A non-U.S. corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid on stock that is readily tradable on a securities market in the United States, such as NASDAQ, on which the Company has applied to list its ordinary shares. Non-corporate U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability of the reduced tax rate on dividends. The amount of the dividend will generally be treated as foreign-source dividend income to U.S. Holders for foreign tax credit purposes and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally available to U.S. corporations under the Code. Dividends will be included in a U.S. Holder’s income on the date of the U.S. Holder’s receipt of the dividend.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, gain or loss realized on the sale or other taxable disposition of our ordinary shares will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the ordinary shares for more than one year. The amount of the gain or loss will equal the difference between the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares disposed of and the amount realized on the disposition. This gain or loss will generally be U.S.-source gain or loss for foreign tax credit purposes.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

In general, a non-U.S. corporation is a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year if: (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly percentage of its assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For this purpose, passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents and capital gains. Goodwill is generally treated as a non-passive asset. The average quarterly percentage of a corporation’s active and passive assets for a taxable year is determined by value unless a corporation is a controlled foreign corporation, or CFC, that is not a publicly traded corporation for the taxable year, in which case it is determined in accordance with the corporation’s adjusted basis in the assets. The Company expects to be a CFC for our current taxable year.

If a non-U.S. corporation owns at least 25% (by value) of the stock of another corporation, it will be treated, for purposes of the PFIC tests, as owning its proportionate share of the other corporation’s assets and receiving its proportionate share of the other corporation’s income. Under attribution rules, if the Company is a PFIC, U.S. Holders will be deemed to own their proportionate share of lower-tier PFICs and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on (i) certain distributions by a lower-tier PFIC and (ii) a disposition of shares of a lower-tier PFIC, in each case as if the U.S. Holder held such shares directly, even though the U.S. Holders have not received the proceeds of those distributions or dispositions directly.

Based upon the nature of our business and the expected composition of our income and assets following the offering, the Company does not expect to be a PFIC for our current taxable year or in the foreseeable future. However, the determination of whether the Company is a PFIC is an annual test based on the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets from time to time, which may be based in part on the market price of our ordinary shares, which is likely to fluctuate, and there are uncertainties as to the appropriate characterization and value of certain of our assets for purposes of the PFIC tests. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will not be a PFIC for our current or any future taxable year.

In general, if the Company were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held ordinary shares, gain recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition (including certain pledges) of our ordinary shares would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before the Company became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an interest charge would be imposed on the tax on the amount allocated to that taxable year. Further, to the extent that any

 

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distribution received by a U.S. Holder on its ordinary shares exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions on the ordinary shares received during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter, that distribution would be subject to taxation in the same manner as gain described immediately above. Certain elections may be available that would result in alternative treatments (such as mark-to-market treatment) of the ordinary shares. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers to determine whether any of these elections would be available and, if so, what the consequences of the alternative treatments would be in their particular circumstances.

If the Company were a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder held ordinary shares, it generally would continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to that holder for all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder held ordinary shares, even if the Company ceased to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the potential availability of a “deemed sale” election that would allow them to eliminate this continuing PFIC status under certain circumstances.

If a U.S. Holder owns ordinary shares during any year in which the Company is a PFIC (or is treated as such with respect to the U.S. Holder), the holder will generally be required to file an IRS Form 8621 with their annual U.S. federal income tax return, subject to certain exceptions.

U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding whether the Company is or may become a PFIC and the potential application of the PFIC rules.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries generally are subject to information reporting, and may be subject to backup withholding, unless (i) the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii) in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding.

The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals, and certain entities controlled by individuals, may be required to report information relating to their ownership of an interest in certain foreign financial assets in excess of certain thresholds, including stock of a non-U.S. person, generally on IRS Form 8938, subject to exceptions (including an exception for stock held through a U.S. financial institution). U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their reporting obligations with respect to ordinary shares.

 

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UNDERWRITING (CONFLICT OF INTEREST)

Barclays Capital Inc. is acting as the representative of the underwriters of this offering. Under the terms of an underwriting agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, each of the underwriters named below has severally agreed to purchase from us the respective number of ordinary shares shown opposite its name below:

 

Underwriters

   Number of Shares  

Barclays Capital Inc.

  

Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.

  

Jefferies LLC

  

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

  

Needham & Company, LLC

  

Roth Capital Partners, LLC

  
  

 

 

 

Total

     5,300,000  
  

 

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters’ obligation to purchase ordinary shares depends on the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, including:

 

   

the obligation to purchase all of the ordinary shares offered hereby (other than those ordinary shares covered by their overallotment option to purchase additional shares as described below), if any of the shares are purchased;

 

   

the representations and warranties made by us to the underwriters are true;

 

   

there is no material change in our business or the financial markets; and

 

   

we deliver customary closing documents to the underwriters.

Commissions and Expenses

The following table summarizes the underwriting discounts and commissions we will pay to the underwriters. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional ordinary shares. The underwriting fee is the difference between the initial price to the public and the amount the underwriters pay to us for the ordinary shares.

 

     No Exercise      Full Exercise  

Per Ordinary Share

   $                   $               

Total

   $      $  

The representative has advised us that the underwriters propose to offer the ordinary shares directly to the public at the public offering price on the cover of this prospectus and to selected dealers, which may include the underwriters, at such offering price less a selling concession not in excess of $             per ordinary share. After the offering, the representative may change the offering price and other selling terms.

The expenses of the offering that are payable by us are estimated to be approximately $2.4 million (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions). We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for their legal expenses relating to clearance of the offering with FINRA in an amount up to $35,000.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

We have granted the underwriters an option exercisable for 30 days after the date of this prospectus to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of 795,000 ordinary shares from us at the

 

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public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions. This option may be exercised to the extent the underwriters sell more than 5,300,000 ordinary shares in connection with this offering. To the extent that this option is exercised, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase its pro rata portion of these additional ordinary shares based on the underwriter’s percentage underwriting commitment in the offering as indicated in the table at the beginning of this “Underwriting (Conflict of Interest)” section.

Lock-Up Agreements

We, all of our directors and executive officers and holders of substantially all of our outstanding ordinary shares have agreed that, subject to certain limited exceptions, without the prior written consent of Barclays Capital Inc., we and they will not directly or indirectly, (i) offer for sale, sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any ordinary shares (including, without limitation, ordinary shares that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by us or them in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and ordinary shares that may be issued upon exercise of any options or warrants) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares; (ii) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of ordinary shares, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise; (iii) make any demand for or exercise any right or file or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any ordinary shares or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into ordinary shares or any of our other securities; or (iv) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus.

Barclays Capital Inc., in its sole discretion, may release the ordinary shares and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time with or without notice. When determining whether or not to release ordinary shares and other securities from lock-up agreements, Barclays Capital Inc. will consider, among other factors, the holder’s reasons for requesting the release, the number of ordinary shares and other securities for which the release is being requested and market conditions at the time.

Offering Price Determination

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares. The initial public offering price will be negotiated between the representative and us. In determining the initial public offering price of our ordinary shares, the representative will consider:

 

   

the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete;

 

   

our financial information;

 

   

the ability of our management and our business potential and earning prospects;

 

   

the prevailing securities markets at the time of this offering; and

 

   

the recent market prices of, and the demand for, publicly traded shares of generally comparable companies.

Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.

 

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Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

The representative may engage in stabilizing transactions, short sales and purchases to cover positions created by short sales and penalty bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the ordinary shares, in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act:

 

   

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

   

A short position involves a sale by the underwriters of shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriters are obligated to purchase in the offering, which creates the syndicate short position. This short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares involved in the sales made by the underwriters in excess of the number of shares they are obligated to purchase is not greater than the number of shares that they may purchase by exercising their overallotment option to purchase additional shares. In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is greater than the number of shares in their overallotment option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters may close out any short position by either exercising their overallotment option to purchase additional shares and/or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through their overallotment option to purchase additional shares. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

   

Syndicate-covering transactions involve purchases of the ordinary shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.

 

   

Penalty bids permit the representative to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the ordinary shares originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our ordinary shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our ordinary shares. As a result, the price of our ordinary shares may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on NASDAQ or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our ordinary shares. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make representation that the representative will engage in these stabilizing transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the Internet sites or through other online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters and/or selling group members participating in this offering, or by their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and, depending upon the particular underwriter or selling group member, prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of ordinary shares for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the representative on the same basis as other allocations.

Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s or selling group member’s web site and any information contained in any other web site maintained by an underwriter or selling

 

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group member is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter or selling group member in its capacity as underwriter or selling group member and should not be relied upon by investors.

The NASDAQ Global Select Market

We have applied to list our ordinary shares on NASDAQ under the symbol “SGH”.

Discretionary Sales

The underwriters have informed us that they do not expect to sell more than 5% of the ordinary shares sold in this offering to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.

Stamp Taxes

If you purchase ordinary shares offered in this prospectus, you may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges under the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition to the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus.

Relationships

Certain of the underwriters and their related entities have engaged and may engage in commercial and investment banking transactions with us in the ordinary course of their business. They have received customary compensation and expenses for these commercial and investment banking transactions.

Affiliates of Barclays Capital Inc. are lenders under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and affiliates of Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. and Jefferies LLC are lenders under the revolving facility of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement. In such capacity, such affiliates have received, and will in the future receive, customary fees and compensation in the ordinary course of business. In November 2016, in connection with the amendment and restatement of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, an affiliate of Barclays Capital Inc. received 1,450 First Tranche Warrants and 1,813 Second Tranche Warrants. As of May 19, 2017, affiliates of Barclays Capital Inc. held 175,390 First Tranche Warrants and 219,237 Second Tranche Warrants. For more information regarding the Lender Warrants, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Contractual Obligations —Senior Secured Credit Agreement.”

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and certain of their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of the issuer or its affiliates. If the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, they routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. The underwriters and their affiliates may hedge such exposure by entering into transactions that consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities or the securities of our affiliates, including potentially the ordinary shares offered hereby. Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the ordinary shares offered hereby. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Conflict of Interest

Because an affiliate of Barclays Capital Inc. will receive 5% or more of the net proceeds of this offering due to the use of the proceeds to repay a portion of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, Barclays Capital Inc. is

 

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deemed to have a “conflict of interest” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. Accordingly, this offering will be conducted in accordance with Rule 5121, which requires, among other things, that a “qualified independent underwriter” participate in the preparation of, and exercise the usual standards of “due diligence” with respect to, the registration statement and this prospectus. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. has agreed to act as a qualified independent underwriter for this offering and to undertake the legal responsibilities and liabilities of an underwriter under the Securities Act, specifically including those inherent in Section 11 thereof. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. will not receive any additional fees for serving as a qualified independent underwriter in connection with this offering. We have agreed to indemnify Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. against liabilities incurred in connection with acting as a qualified independent underwriter, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Barclays Capital Inc. will not confirm sales to any account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the specific written approval of the accountholder.

Selling Restrictions

Notice to Prospective Investors in Brazil

For purposes of Brazilian law, this offer of securities is addressed to you personally, upon your request and for your sole benefit, and is not to be transmitted to anyone else, to be relied upon elsewhere or for any other purpose either quoted or referred to in any other public or private document or to be filed with anyone, without our prior express and written consent.

This offering does not constitute or form part of any public offering of shares in Brazil and, accordingly, has not been and will not be registered under Brazilian Federal Law No. 6385 of December 7, 1976, as amended, Brazilian Securities Commission (CVM) Rule (Instrução) No. 400 of December 29, 2003, as amended, or under any other Brazilian securities law or regulation. Furthermore, our ordinary shares and we have not been and will not be registered before the CVM under CVM Rule (Instrução) No. 480 of December 7, 2009, as amended.

Therefore, the ordinary shares offered hereby have not been, will not be and may not be offered for sale or sold in Brazil except in circumstances that do not constitute a public offering or other unauthorized distribution under applicable Brazilian laws and regulations. Documents relating to the ordinary shares, as well as the information contained therein, may not be supplied to the public as a public offering in Brazil or be used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the shares to the public in Brazil.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive, or Relevant Member State, an offer to the public of any ordinary shares that are the subject of the offering contemplated herein may not be made in that Relevant Member State, except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any ordinary shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:

 

   

to legal entities which are qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Directive;

 

   

by the underwriters to fewer than 100, or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provisions of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representative of the underwriters for any such offer; or

 

   

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive;

provided that no such offer of ordinary shares shall result in a requirement for us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

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Each person in a Relevant Member State who receives any communication in respect of, or who acquires any ordinary shares under, the offers contemplated here in this prospectus will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with each underwriter and us that:

 

   

it is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Directive; and

 

   

in the case of any ordinary shares acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, (i) the ordinary shares acquired by it in the offering have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified investors, as that term is defined in the Prospectus Directive, or in the circumstances in which the prior consent of the representative of the underwriters has been given to the offer or resale; or (ii) where ordinary shares have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified investors, the offer of such ordinary shares to it is not treated under the Prospectus Directive as having been made to such persons.

For the purposes of this representation and the provision above, the expression an “offer of ordinary shares to the public” in relation to any ordinary shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any ordinary shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the ordinary shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State, the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State) and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State, and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

This prospectus has only been communicated or caused to have been communicated, and will only be communicated or caused to be communicated, as an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000 (as amended), or FSMA) as received in connection with the issue or sale of the shares in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Company. All applicable provisions of the FSMA will be complied with in respect to anything done in relation to the shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

The ordinary shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the ordinary shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

 

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Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

The ordinary shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or SIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under Article 652a or Article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under Article 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company or the ordinary shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of ordinary shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA and the offer of ordinary shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes, or CISA. The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of ordinary shares.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre

This prospectus relates to an “Exempt Offer” in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority, or DFSA. This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The shares to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the ordinary shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the ordinary shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001, or the Corporations Act, and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.

Any offer in Australia of the ordinary shares may only be made to persons, which we refer to as Exempt Investors, who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of Section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of Section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in Section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the ordinary shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

The ordinary shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under Section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring ordinary shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.

This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities

 

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recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

The ordinary shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (i) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under such ordinance or (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of such ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the ordinary shares has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to ordinary shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under such ordinance.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

The ordinary shares have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of ordinary shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the ordinary shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA; (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

   

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)), the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

   

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor), which sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

 

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securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

   

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

   

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

   

where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

   

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

   

as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain matters of U.S. federal and New York State law will be passed upon for us by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, Menlo Park, California. Certain legal matters relating to this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP. The validity of the ordinary shares and certain other matters of Cayman Island law will be passed upon for us by Maples and Calder, Cayman Islands, and for the underwriters by Walkers, Cayman Islands.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements as of August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, and for the years then ended, included in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein. Such financial statements have been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS

We are an exempted company under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and certain of the board members of each of our subsidiaries and certain of the experts named herein reside outside the United States. Certain of our assets and the assets of such other persons are located outside the United States.

We have been advised by Maples and Calder, Cayman Islands, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce against the Company, its directors or officers judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any State; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against the Company, its directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any State, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final, conclusive, for a liquidated sum and must not be in respect of taxes, fines or penalties, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere. There is recent Privy Council authority (which is binding on the Cayman Islands Court) in the context of a reorganization plan approved by the New York Bankruptcy Court that suggests that due to the universal nature of bankruptcy/insolvency proceedings, foreign money judgments obtained in foreign bankruptcy/insolvency proceedings may be enforced without applying the principles outlined above. However, a more recent English Supreme Court authority (which is highly persuasive but not binding on the Cayman Islands Court) has expressly rejected that approach in the context of a default judgment obtained in an adversary proceeding brought in the New York Bankruptcy Court by the receivers of the bankruptcy debtor against a third party, which would not have been enforceable upon the application of the traditional common law principles summarized above. It held that foreign money judgments obtained in bankruptcy/insolvency proceedings should be enforced by applying the principles set out above and not by the simple exercise of the Court’s discretion. Those cases have now been considered by the Cayman Islands Court. The Cayman Islands Court was not asked to consider the specific question of whether a judgment of a bankruptcy court in an adversary proceeding would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands, but it did endorse the need for active assistance of overseas bankruptcy proceedings. We understand that the Cayman Islands Court’s decision in that case has been appealed and it remains the case that the law regarding the enforcement of bankruptcy/insolvency-related judgments is still in a state of uncertainty.

There can be no assurance that investors will be able to enforce against us, our board members or the experts named herein, any judgments in civil and commercial matters, including judgments under the securities laws of the United States or any state. In addition, it is uncertain whether a court in the Cayman Islands would impose civil liability on us or such other persons in an original action predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in the Cayman Islands against us or such persons.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement (including amendments and exhibits to the registration statement) on Form S-1 under the Securities Act. This prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as part of the registration statement. If a document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the copy of the document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit.

Upon completion of this offering, we will become subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports and other information with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. You may inspect and copy reports and other information filed with the SEC at the Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     F-3  

Consolidated Statements of Operations

     F-4  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

     F-5  

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)

     F-6  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     F-7  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-8  

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

Newark, California

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SMART Global Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, shareholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion . An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of SMART Global Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries as of August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Jose, California

November 29, 2016

(May 11, 2017 as to Note 1(y))

 

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SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     February 24,
2017
    August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 
Assets      (unaudited)      

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 23,341     $ 58,634     $ 68,094  

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $192, $228 and $347 as of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, respectively

     138,592       141,036       184,082  

Inventories

     131,884       103,066       132,904  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     13,346       16,522       26,023  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     307,163       319,258       411,103  

Property and equipment, net

     53,902       57,600       60,311  

Other noncurrent assets

     22,701       19,937       19,459  

Intangible assets, net

     11,112       16,884       30,240  

Goodwill

     46,059       44,976       43,594  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 440,937     $ 458,655     $ 564,707  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity       

Current liabilities:

      

Accounts payable

   $ 183,331     $ 197,976     $ 284,180  

Accrued liabilities

     17,311       14,071       16,467  

Current portion of long-term debt

     12,162       17,116       12,382  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     212,804       229,163       313,029  

Long-term debt

     202,744       225,587       234,617  

Deferred tax liabilities

     2,174       2,677       4,193  

Other long-term liabilities

     2,507       2,465       4,229  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 420,229     $ 459,892     $ 556,068  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 10)

      

Shareholders’ equity (deficit):

      

Ordinary shares, $0.03 par value. Authorized 70,000 shares; issued and outstanding 13,870, 13,869 and 13,836 shares as of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, respectively

     416       416       415  

Additional paid-in capital

     168,769       145,284       141,404  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (143,519     (147,523     (153,726

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

     (4,958     586       20,546  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

     20,708       (1,237     8,639  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 440,937     $ 458,655     $ 564,707  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year ended  
   February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    August  26,
2016
    August  28,
2015
 
        
   (unaudited)              

Net sales (1)

   $ 331,298     $ 238,613     $ 534,423     $ 643,469  

Cost of sales

     264,431       192,169       427,491       512,032  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     66,867       46,444       106,932       131,437  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

     19,645       18,096       38,116       43,741  

Selling, general, and administrative

     31,844       28,283       57,495       89,233  

Management advisory fees

     2,000       2,001       4,001       4,030  

Restructuring charge

     457       1,015       1,135       1,143  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     53,946       49,395       100,747       138,147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

     12,921       (2,951     6,185       (6,710
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

     (14,778     (12,939     (25,575     (27,560

Other income (expense), net

     (902     (1,372     1,874       (5,532
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense

     (15,680     (14,311     (23,701     (33,092
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (2,759     (17,262     (17,516     (39,802

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     2,785       (108     2,444       6,649  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (5,544   $ (17,154   $ (19,960   $ (46,451
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

   $ (0.40   $ (1.24   $ (1.44   $ (3.36
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share

     13,870       13,834       13,841       13,833  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes sales to affiliates of $26,688, $22,807, $38,817 and $96,996 in the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively (see Note 3).

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

(In thousands)

 

    Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year ended  
    February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 
    (unaudited)              

Net loss

  $ (5,544   $ (17,154   $ (19,960   $ (46,451

Other comprehensive loss:

       

Foreign currency translation

    4,004       (22,333     6,203       (70,970
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss

    4,004       (22,333     6,203       (70,970
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

  $ (1,540   $ (39,487   $ (13,757   $ (117,421
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)

(In thousands)

 

   

 

Ordinary shares

    Additional
paid-in

capital
    Accumulated
Other
comprehensive

loss
    Retained
earnings
(accumulated
deficit)
    Total
shareholders’
equity (deficit)
 
    Shares     Amount          

Balances as of August 29, 2014

    13,831     $ 415     $ 165,625     $ (82,756   $ 66,997     $ 150,281  

Stock-based compensation expense

    —         —         6,132       —         —         6,132  

Issuance of ordinary shares from exercises

    5       —         12       —         —         12  

Distribution of share premium

    —         —         (28,338     —         —         (28,338

Payments for strike price reductions

    —         —         (900     —         —         (900

Payments for Storage options related to Escrow Release

    —         —         (1,127     —         —         (1,127

Foreign currency translation

    —         —         —         (70,970     —         (70,970

Net loss

    —         —         —         —         (46,451     (46,451
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of August 28, 2015

    13,836       415       141,404       (153,726     20,546       8,639  

Stock-based compensation expense

    —         —         3,872       —         —         3,872  

Issuance of ordinary shares from exercises

    43       1       132       —         —         133  

Issuance of ordinary shares from release of restricted stock units

    1       —         —         —         —         —    

Repurchase of ordinary shares

    (11     —         (124     —         —         (124

Foreign currency translation

    —         —         —         6,203       —         6,203  

Net loss

    —         —         —         —         (19,960     (19,960
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of August 26, 2016

    13,869       416       145,284       (147,523     586       (1,237

Stock-based compensation expense*

    —         —         2,144       —         —         2,144  

Issuance of ordinary shares from release of restricted stock units*

    1       —         —         —         —         —    

Warrants issued in connection with debt*

    —         —         21,341       —         —         21,341  

Foreign currency translation*

    —         —         —         4,004       —         4,004  

Net loss*

    —         —         —         —         (5,544     (5,544
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of February 24, 2017*

    13,870     $ 416     $ 168,769     $ (143,519   $ (4,958   $ 20,708  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* unaudited

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year ended  
   February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 
   (unaudited)              

Cash flows from operating activities:

        

Net loss

   $ (5,544   $ (17,154   $ (19,960   $ (46,451

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

        

Depreciation and amortization

     17,553       15,681       31,480       50,145  

Share-based compensation

     2,144       2,023       3,872       6,132  

Provision for (recovery from) doubtful accounts receivable and sales returns

     (174     (19     18       109  

Deferred income tax benefit

     (1,111     (389     (1,417     (2,464

(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment

     129       (111     (55     122  

Extinguishment loss on long-term debt

     1,386       —         —         —    

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     1,223       1,511       3,042       2,963  

Amortization of debt original issuance discount

     541       820       1,654       1,599  

Amortization of debt discount

     2,180       —         —         —    

Write-off of other assets

     —         —         —         1,582  

Write-off of deferred initial public offering costs

     —         —         —         3,962  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Accounts receivable

     3,375       45,293       44,922       8,597  

Inventories

     (26,351     27,756       31,326       (19,989

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     1,476       1,810       11,007       (451

Accounts payable

     (15,726     (46,266     (86,588     53,236  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     3,251       (4,943     (4,251     (18,330
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (15,648     26,012       15,050       40,762  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

        

Capital expenditures and deposits on equipment

     (7,395     (5,742     (13,844     (31,663

Restricted cash

     —         181       194       (6,115

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     42       245       281       161  

Purchase of other assets

     —         —         —         (1,597

Proceeds from Escrow Release related to sale of business

     —         —         —         30,498  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (7,353     (5,316     (13,369     (8,716
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

        

Distribution of share premium

     —         —         —         (28,338

Payment for strike price reductions

     —         —         —         (900

Proceeds from long-term debt borrowing

     —         5,179       5,771       14,060  

Long-term debt payment

     (11,735     (8,285     (16,694     (13,258

Payment for extinguishment of long-term debt

     (938     —         —         —    

Payment of costs related to initial public offering

     —         (6     —         (3,094

Payment for Storage options related to Escrow Release

     —         —         —         (1,127

Proceeds from borrowings under revolving line of credit

     215,250       119,200       279,200       357,000  

Repayments of borrowings under revolving line of credit

     (215,250     (119,200     (279,200     (357,000

Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares from share option exercises

     —         —         133       12  

Repurchase of ordinary shares

     —         (124     (124     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (12,673     (3,236     (10,914     (32,645

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     381       (1,741     (227     (9,399
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (35,293     15,719       (9,460     (9,998

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     58,634       68,094       68,094       78,092  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 23,341     $ 83,813     $ 58,634     $ 68,094  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

        

Cash paid during the year:

        

Cash paid for interest

   $ 11,591     $ 11,280     $ 22,413     $ 23,750  

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

     1,771       1,309       5,300       7,996  

Noncash activities information:

        

Capital expenditures included in accounts payable at period end

     385       767       552       633  

Warrants issued in connection with debt

     21,341       —         —         —    

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015

 

(1) Overview, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

 

(a) Overview

On August 26, 2011, SMART Global Holdings, Inc., formerly known as Saleen Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (SMART Global Holdings, and together with its subsidiaries, the Company), consummated a transaction with SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., formerly known as SMART Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc. (SMART Worldwide), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) whereby, through a series of transactions, SMART Global Holdings acquired substantially all of the equity interests of SMART Worldwide with SMART Worldwide surviving as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of SMART Global Holdings (the Acquisition). SMART Global Holdings is an entity that was formed by investment funds affiliated with Silver Lake Partners and Silver Lake Sumeru (collectively Silver Lake). As a result of the Acquisition, since there was a change of control resulting in Silver Lake as the controlling shareholder group, the Company applied the acquisition method of accounting and established a new basis of accounting.

Prior to the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company operated as two reporting units: Memory and Storage. SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc. (Memory), through its subsidiaries, provides specialty memory solutions sold primarily to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Memory offers these solutions to customers worldwide and also offers custom supply chain services including procurement, logistics, inventory management, temporary warehousing, kitting and packaging services. SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc. (Storage), through its subsidiaries, is a designer, manufacturer and supplier of Flash-based solid state drives (SSDs) sold to customers worldwide.

During fiscal year 2013, the Company separated the Storage operating segment into two reporting units, Enterprise and High Reliability Solutions (HRS). In August 2013, Storage sold the Enterprise business to SanDisk Corporation (SanDisk) for approximately $304 million in cash (the Sale), subject to certain adjustments and certain escrow and holdback provisions (see Note 2 for further discussion of the Escrow).

On December 1, 2014, Storage sold HRS to a subsidiary of Memory. As of January 2, 2015, Memory merged with and into SMART Worldwide (the Memory-WWH Merger) with SMART Worldwide being the surviving entity and Memory no longer having a separate corporate existence. As of February 12, 2015, Storage was merged with and into a direct wholly owned subsidiary of SMART Global Holdings, Saleen Intermediate Holdings, Inc. (the Storage-Intermediate Merger) with Saleen Intermediate Holdings, Inc. (Saleen Intermediate) being the surviving entity and Storage no longer having a separate corporate existence.

The Company’s U.S. headquarters is in Newark, California, and the Company has operations in the United States, Brazil, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Scotland, Singapore and South Korea.

 

(b) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements comprise SMART Global Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

The Company uses a 52- to 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Friday in August. Fiscal 2016 and 2015 ended on August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, respectively, and both included 52 weeks. The six month periods ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 were both 26-week fiscal periods.

 

F-8


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) applicable to interim financial information. As such, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company and its results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The financial data and other information disclosed in these notes to the consolidated financial statements related to the interim periods are unaudited.

All financial information for two of the Company’s subsidiaries, SMART Modular Technologies Indústria de Componentes Eletrônicos Ltda. (SMART Brazil) and SMART Modular Technologies do Brasil Indústria e Comércio de Componentes Ltda. (SMART do Brazil), is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements on a one-month lag because their fiscal years begin August 1 and end July 31.

 

(c) Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods presented. Actual results could differ from the estimates made by management. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the useful lives of long-lived assets, the valuation of deferred tax assets and inventory, share-based compensation, the estimated net realizable value of Brazilian tax credits, income tax uncertainties and other contingencies.

 

(d) Revenue Recognition

Product revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, product delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Product revenue typically is recognized at the time of shipment or when the customer takes title to the goods. All amounts billed to a customer related to shipping and handling are classified as revenue, while all costs incurred by the Company for shipping and handling are classified as cost of sales. Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and, therefore, are excluded from net sales in the consolidated statements of operations.

In addition, the Company has classes of transactions with customers that are accounted for on an agency basis (i.e., the Company recognizes as revenue the amount billed less the material procurement costs of products serviced as an agent with the cost of providing these services embedded with the cost of sales). The Company provides procurement, logistics, inventory management, temporary warehousing, kitting and packaging services for these customers. Revenue from these arrangements is recognized as service revenue and is determined by a fee for services based on material procurement costs. The Company recognizes service revenue upon the completion of the services, typically upon shipment of the product. There are no postshipment obligations subsequent to shipment of the product under the agency arrangements.

 

F-9


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

The following is a summary of the Company’s gross billings to customers and net sales for services and products (in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended      Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
     February 26,
2016
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 

Service revenue, net

   $ 17,984      $ 22,088      $ 44,453      $ 40,235  

Cost of purchased materials—service (1)

     402,388        785,914        1,390,624        1,503,968  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross billings for services

     420,372        808,002        1,435,077        1,544,203  

Product net sales

     313,314        216,525        489,970        603,234  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross billings to customers

   $ 733,686      $ 1,024,527      $ 1,925,047      $ 2,147,437  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Product net sales

   $ 313,314      $ 216,525      $ 489,970      $ 603,234  

Service revenue, net

     17,984        22,088        44,453        40,235  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net sales

   $ 331,298      $ 238,613      $ 534,423      $ 643,469  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (1) Represents cost of sales associated with service revenue reported on a net basis.

 

(e) Cash and Cash Equivalents

All highly liquid investments with maturities of 90 days or less from original dates of purchase are carried at cost, which approximates fair value, and are considered to be cash. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash deposited in checking and saving accounts, money market accounts, and securities with maturities of less than 90 days at the time of purchase.

 

(f) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company evaluates the collectibility of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In cases where the Company is aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations, the Company records a specific allowance against amounts due and, thereby, reduces the net recognized receivable to the amount management reasonably believes will be collected. For all other customers, the Company recognizes allowances for doubtful accounts based on a combination of factors including the length of time the receivables are outstanding, industry and geographic concentrations, the current business environment and historical experience.

 

(g) Sales of Receivables

Designated subsidiaries of the Company may, from time to time, sell certain of their receivables to third parties. Sales of receivables are recognized at the point in which the receivables sold are transferred beyond the reach of the Company and its creditors, the purchaser has the right to pledge or exchange the receivables and the subsidiaries have surrendered control over the transferred receivables. See Note 4 for further details.

 

(h) Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of actual cost or market value. Inventory value is determined on a specific identification basis for material and an allocation of labor and manufacturing overhead. At each balance sheet date, the Company evaluates the ending inventories for excess quantities and obsolescence. This evaluation includes an analysis of sales levels by product family and considers historical demand and forecasted demand in relation to the inventory on hand, competitiveness of product offerings, market conditions and product life cycles. The Company adjusts carrying value to the lower of its cost or market value. Inventory write-downs are not reversed and create a new cost basis.

 

F-10


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
(i) Prepaid State Value-Added Taxes (ICMS)

Since 2004, the Sao Paulo State tax authorities have granted SMART Brazil a tax benefit to defer and eventually eliminate the payment of ICMS levied on certain imports from independent suppliers. This benefit, known as an ICMS Special Regime, is subject to renewal every two years. When the then current ICMS Special Tax Regime expired on March 31, 2010, SMART Brazil timely applied for a renewal of the benefit, however, the renewal was not granted until August 4, 2010.

On June 22, 2010, the Sao Paulo authorities published a regulation allowing companies that applied for a timely renewal of an ICMS Special Regime to continue utilizing the benefit until a final conclusion on the renewal request was rendered. As a result of this publication, SMART Brazil was temporarily allowed to utilize the benefit while it waited for its renewal. From April 1, 2010, when the ICMS benefit lapsed, through June 22, 2010 when the regulation referred to above was published, SMART Brazil was required to pay the ICMS taxes on imports, which payments result in ICMS credits that may be used to offset ICMS obligations generated from sales by SMART Brazil of its products; however, the vast majority of SMART Brazil’s sales in Sao Paulo were either subject to a lower ICMS rate or were made to customers that were entitled to other ICMS benefits that enabled them to eliminate the ICMS levied on their purchases of products from SMART Brazil. As a result, from April 1, 2010 through June 22, 2010, SMART Brazil did not have sufficient ICMS collections against which to apply the credits and the credit balance increased significantly.

Effective February 1, 2011, in connection with its participation in a Brazilian government incentive program known as Support Program for the Technological Development of the Semiconductor and Display Industries Laws, or PADIS, SMART Brazil spun off the module manufacturing operations into SMART do Brazil, a separate subsidiary of the Company. In connection with this spin off, SMART do Brazil applied for a tax benefit from the State of Sao Paulo in order to obtain a deferral of state ICMS. This tax benefit is referred to as State PPB, or CAT 14. The CAT 14 approval was not obtained until July 21, 2011, and from February 1, 2011 until the CAT 14 approval was granted, SMART do Brazil did not have sufficient ICMS collections against which to apply the credits accrued upon payment of the ICMS on SMART do Brazil’s imports and inputs locally acquired, and therefore, it generated additional excess ICMS credits.

As of February 24, 2017, the total ICMS tax credits reported on the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheet are R$40.3 million (or $12.9 million), of which (i) R$36.2 million (or $11.6 million) are fully vested ICMS credits, classified as other noncurrent assets, and (ii) R$4.1 million (or $1.3 million) are ICMS credits subject to vesting in 48 equal monthly amounts, classified as other noncurrent assets (R$1.5 million or $0.5 million) and prepaid expenses and other current assets (R$2.7 million or $0.9 million). As of August 26, 2016, the total ICMS tax credits reported on the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheet are R$39.5 million (or $12.2 million), of which (i) R$33.1 million (or $10.2 million) are fully vested ICMS credits, classified as other noncurrent assets, and (ii) R$6.4 million (or $2.0 million) are ICMS credits subject to vesting in 48 equal monthly amounts, classified as other noncurrent assets (R$2.9 million or $0.9 million) and prepaid expenses and other current assets (R$3.5 million or $1.1 million). It is expected that the excess ICMS credits will continue to be recovered in fiscal 2017 through fiscal 2022. The Company updates its forecast of the recoverability of the ICMS credits quarterly, considering the following key variables in Brazil: timing of government approvals of automated credit utilization, the total amount of sales, the product mix and the inter and intra state mix of sales. If these estimates or the mix of products or regions vary, it could take longer or shorter than expected to recover the accumulated ICMS credits, resulting in a reclassification of ICMS credits from current to noncurrent, or vice versa.

In April and June 2016, SMART Brazil and SMART do Brazil, respectively, filed cases with the Brazilian tax authorities to seek approval to sell these excess ICMS credits. If approval is obtained, it is anticipated to take approximately 24 to 36 months from April 2016 to complete the sale of excess ICMS credits. Such sales of ICMS excess credits usually incur a discount to the face amount of the credits sold.

 

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The Company expects that it will recover these excess credits by means of a sale, as such the Company recorded a valuation adjustment of R$3.0 million (or $0.9 million) in fiscal 2016, which represents the estimated discount that the Company will need to offer in order to sell the ICMS credits to other companies if and when the approval from the tax authorities is obtained. This charge is classified as cost of sales in the Company’s accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

 

(j) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed based on the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the related lease terms, using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives are presented below:

 

     Period  

Asset:

  

Manufacturing equipment

     2 to 5 years  

Office furniture, software, computers and equipment

     2 to 5 years

Leasehold improvements*

     2 to 70 years  

 

  * Includes the Penang facility, which is situated on leased land with a term expiring in 2070.

 

(k) Goodwill

The Company performs a goodwill impairment test annually during the fourth quarter of its fiscal year and more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Such events or circumstances may, among others, include significant adverse changes in the general business climate. The Company performed the impairment tests on the first day of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, and determined there was no impairment. As of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016, and August 28, 2015, the carrying value of goodwill on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet was $46.1 million, $45.0 million and $43.6 million, respectively.

When conducting the annual impairment test for goodwill, the Company compares the estimated fair value of a reporting unit containing goodwill to its book value. The estimated fair value is computed using two approaches: the income approach, which is the present value of expected cash flows, discounted at a risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital; and the market approach, which is based on using market multiples of companies in similar lines of business. If the fair value of the reporting unit is determined to be more than its book value, no goodwill impairment is recognized. If the fair value of the reporting unit is determined to be less than its book value, actual goodwill impairment, if any, is computed using a second step of the impairment test. The second step requires the fair value of the reporting unit to be allocated to all the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination at the date of the impairment test. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the fair value of assets less liabilities is the implied value of goodwill and is used to determine the amount of impairment.

All of the $46.1 million carrying value of goodwill on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of February 24, 2017 is associated with the Company’s single reporting unit. No impairment of goodwill was recognized through February 24, 2017.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the six months ended February 24, 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Total  

Balance as of August 29, 2014

   $ 57,940  

Translation adjustments

     (14,346
  

 

 

 

Balance as of August 28, 2015

     43,594  

Translation adjustments

     1,382  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of August 26, 2016

     44,976  

Translation adjustments

     1,083  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of February 24, 2017

   $ 46,059  
  

 

 

 

 

(l) Intangible Assets, Net

The following table summarizes the gross amounts and accumulated amortization of intangible assets from the Acquisition by type as of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015 (dollars in thousands):

 

            February 24, 2017  
     Weighted
avg. life
(yrs)
     Gross
Carrying
amount
     Accumulated
amortization
    Net  

Customer relationships

     5      $ 104,212      $ (96,528   $ 7,684  

Technology

     4        75,397        (71,969     3,428  

Trademarks/tradename

     5        10,217        (10,217     —    

Favorable leases

     4        234        (234     —    
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total SGH

      $ 190,060      $ (178,948   $ 11,112  
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

          August 26, 2016     August 28, 2015  
    Weighted
avg. life
(yrs)
    Gross
Carrying
amount
    Accumulated
amortization
    Net     Gross
Carrying
amount
    Accumulated
amortization
    Net  

Customer relationships

    5     $ 103,279     $ (92,326   $ 10,953     $ 102,088     $ (84,700   $ 17,388  

Technology

    4       74,063       (68,186     5,877       72,361       (61,588     10,773  

Trademarks/tradename

    5       10,092       (10,043     49       9,934       (7,900     2,034  

Favorable leases

    4       228       (223     5       221       (176     45  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total SGH

    $ 187,662     $ (170,778   $ 16,884     $ 184,604     $ (154,364   $ 30,240  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization expense related to intangible assets totaled approximately $6.0 million, $6.6 million, $13.4 million and $30.8 million during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. Acquired intangibles are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated economic life of the underlying intangible assets.

 

     Six Months Ended      Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
     February 26,
2016
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 
     (unaudited)                

Amortization of intangible assets classification (in thousands):

 

        

Research and development

   $ 2,448      $ 2,448      $ 4,897      $ 6,160  

Selling, general and administrative

     3,522        4,170        8,471        24,669  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 5,970      $ 6,618      $ 13,368      $ 30,829  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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As of August 26, 2016, estimated amortization expenses of these intangible assets for each of the fiscal years in the remaining economic live are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Amount  

Fiscal year ending August:

  

2017

   $ 11,909  

2018

     4,710  

2019

     265  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 16,884  
  

 

 

 

 

(m) Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell. No impairment of long-lived assets was recognized during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 or in fiscal 2016 and 2015.

 

(n) Research and Development Expense

Research and development expenditures are expensed in the period incurred.

 

(o) Deferred Initial Public Offering (IPO) Costs Charge

The Company has a policy to defer all direct and incremental costs related to an IPO in order to offset the IPO proceeds. As of February 24, 2017, the Company had no accrued IPO costs. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company decided to postpone the offering efforts that were underway at that time and expensed $4.0 million of deferred IPO costs; this expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2015.

 

(p) Restructuring Expense

In fiscal 2016 and 2015, the Company had multiple reductions-in-force in order to streamline operations and achieve operating efficiencies. During the six months ended February 24, 2017, the Company recorded restructuring costs of $0.5 million for severance, severance-related benefits and building-related charges, of which $0.2 million was remaining to be paid as of February 24, 2017. During the fiscal year ended August 26, 2016, the Company recorded restructuring costs of $1.1 million for severance and severance-related benefits most of which was settled prior to August 26, 2016. During the fiscal year ended August 28, 2015, the Company recorded restructuring costs of $1.1 million for severance and severance-related benefits of which $1.0 million was settled prior to August 28, 2015 and the remaining accrued liability of $0.1 million was paid in December 2015. For both fiscal 2016 and 2015, the reductions-in-force were completed by the end of the respective periods.

 

(q) Income Taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and net operating loss and credit carryforwards. When necessary, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce tax assets to amounts expected to be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be

 

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Index to Financial Statements

recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income (or loss) in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense.

 

(r) Foreign Currency Translation

For foreign subsidiaries using the local currency as their functional currency, assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the period. The effect of this translation is reported in other comprehensive income (loss). In fiscal 2016 and 2015, foreign currency translation was primarily impacted by the fluctuation in the Brazil Reis exchange rate, due primarily to the economic instability in Brazil. Exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the respective foreign subsidiaries are included in results of operations.

For foreign subsidiaries using the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, the financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are remeasured into U.S. dollars using the historical exchange rate for property and equipment and certain other nonmonetary assets and liabilities and related depreciation and amortization on these assets and liabilities. The Company uses the exchange rate at the balance sheet date for the remaining assets and liabilities, including deferred taxes. A weighted average exchange rate is used for each period for revenues and expenses.

All foreign subsidiaries, except Brazil and South Korea, use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. The gains or losses resulting from the remeasurement process are recorded in other expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

During the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded $0.3 million, ($1.6) million, $1.1 million and ($10.7) million, respectively, of foreign exchange gains (losses) primarily related to its Brazilian operating subsidiaries.

 

(s) Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based compensation under ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation , which requires companies to recognize in their statement of operations all share-based payments, including grants of share options and other types of equity awards, based on the grant-date fair value of such share-based awards.

 

     Six Months Ended      Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
     February 26,
2016
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 
     (unaudited)                

Stock-based compensation expense by category (in thousands):

           

Cost of sales

   $ 268      $ 236      $ 461      $ 771  

Research and development

     445        382        725        844  

Selling, general and administrative

     1,431        1,405        2,686        4,517  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,144      $ 2,023      $ 3,872      $ 6,132  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(t) Loss Contingencies

The Company is subject to the possibility of various loss contingencies arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company considers the likelihood of a loss and the ability to reasonably estimate the amount

 

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Index to Financial Statements

of loss in determining the necessity for and amount of any loss contingencies. Estimated loss contingencies are accrued when it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset impaired and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company regularly evaluates the most current information available to determine whether any such accruals should be recorded or adjusted.

 

(u) Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and other gains and losses affecting shareholders’ equity that, under U.S. GAAP are excluded from net income (loss). For the Company, other comprehensive income (loss) generally consists of foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

(v) Concentration of Credit and Supplier Risk

The Company’s concentration of credit risk consists principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company’s revenues and related accounts receivable reflect a concentration of activity with three customers (see Note 12). The Company does not require collateral or other security to support accounts receivable. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable and maintains allowances for potentially uncollectible accounts.

The Company relies on five suppliers for the majority of its raw materials. At February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, the Company owed these five suppliers $146.4 million, $164.8 million and $127.2 million, respectively, which was recorded as accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The inventory purchases from these suppliers during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015 were $0.6 billion, $0.6 billion, $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively.

 

(w) Transition Services Agreement

On August 22, 2013, the Company entered into a transition service agreement with SanDisk, pursuant to which the Company has provided services to facilitate the orderly transfer of the Enterprise business unit which SanDisk had purchased from the Company. The nature, magnitude and duration of the services provided under the agreement varied depending on the specific circumstances of the service, location or business need. The fees related to the agreement are recorded in other income and the associated costs are primarily selling, general and administrative expenses. The services provided under this agreement included manufacturing services, support of financial and operational processes and information services and were immaterial to the Company. This agreement was concluded in May 2015. The Company recognized $4.3 million of other income related to this transition services agreement in fiscal 2015.

 

(x) New Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU” No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment , which simplified the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. ASU 2017-04 will be effective for the Company beginning on December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this ASU in fiscal 2017 and it does not believe the adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash , which clarifies the presentation of changes in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 will be effective for the Company beginning on December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2016-18 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Cash Flow Statements, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments . The new guidance is intended to address the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows under Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows, and other Topics. The guidance addresses eight specific cash flow classification issues with the objective of reducing diversity in practice. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The amendments should be applied using a retrospective transition period to each period presented. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2016-15 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting , which simplified certain aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income taxes, classification of awards and classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 will be effective for the Company on September 1, 2017. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-09 on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , which modified lease accounting for both lessees and lessors to increase transparency and comparability by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous accounting standards and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for the Company beginning on September 1, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. Although the Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, as disclosed in Note 10(a), the Company has over $14 million in lease commitments at August 26, 2016 and believes that the adoption will have a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities , which updates certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 will be effective for the Company beginning on September 1, 2018. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2016-01 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes , which simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes by requiring that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. ASU 2015-17 will be effective for the Company beginning on September 1, 2017 with early application permitted as of the beginning of any interim or annual reporting period. The Company early adopted this ASU in fiscal 2017 and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs , which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Amortization of the costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. ASU 2015-03 is effective for the Company’s annual and interim reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. However, early adoption is permitted and the Company adopted this standard in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, and the guidance was applied retrospectively to each prior period presented in the Company’s financials. The accompanying consolidated balance for fiscal 2015 reflects the reclassification of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the issuance of the term loan of $2.9 million from other current assets and $2.4 million from other noncurrent assets to long-term debt.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard, ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , as amended, which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance. Under ASU 2014-09, an entity is required to recognize revenue upon transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2014-09 defines a five-step process in order to achieve this core principle, which may require the use of judgment and estimates, and also requires expanded qualitative and quantitative disclosures relating to the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including significant judgments and estimates used. The FASB has recently issued several amendments to the new standard, including clarification on identifying performance obligations. The amendments include ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)—Principal versus Agent Considerations , which was issued in March 2016, and clarifies the implementation guidance for principal versus agent considerations in ASU 2014-09. The new standard permits adoption either by using (i) a full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the period of adoption or (ii) a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain additional disclosures. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not plan to early adopt, and accordingly, will adopt the new standard effective September 1, 2018. The Company currently plans to adopt using the modified retrospective approach; however, a final decision regarding the adoption method has not been finalized at this time. The Company’s final determination will depend on a number of factors such as the significance of the impact of the new standard on the Company’s financial results, system readiness, including that of software procured from third-party providers if needed, and the Company’s ability to accumulate and analyze the information necessary to assess the impact on the financial statements, as necessary. The Company is in the initial stages of its evaluation of the impact of the new standard on its accounting policies, processes, and system requirements. The Company has assigned internal resources and, if necessary, will engage third party service providers to assist in the evaluation. Furthermore, the Company has made and will continue to make investments in its systems to enable timely and accurate reporting under the new standard. While the Company continues to assess all potential impacts under the new standard, there is the potential for significant impacts to the timing of recognition of revenue.

 

(y) Subsequent Events

On May 5, 2017, the Company’s shareholders approved a 1-for-3 reverse share split of its share capital. All references to ordinary shares, options to purchase ordinary shares, exercise prices, restricted stock units, share data, per share data, warrants and related information have been adjusted within these financial statements, on a retroactive basis, to reflect this 1-for-3 reverse share split as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.

In addition, on May 5, 2017, the Company’s authorized share capital increased from 70,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.01 to 200,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.03. The shareholders approved that the authorized share capital of the Company be increased from $700,000 divided into 70,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share, to $6,000,000 divided into 200,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.03 per share, by the creation of an additional 530,000,000 ordinary shares with a par value of $0.01 each to rank pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares, and the consolidating all of the 600,000,000 ordinary shares with a $0.01 par value into 200,000,000 ordinary shares with a $0.03 par value.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through November 29, 2016, the date on which the August 26, 2016 annual audited financial statements were originally issued, and May 11, 2017, the date on which the retrospectively revised August 26, 2016 annual audited financial statements were issued (as to the 1-for-3 reverse share split described herein). The Company has evaluated subsequent events through April 7, 2017, the date on which the February 24, 2017 unaudited interim financial statements were originally issued, and May 11, 2017, the date on which the retrospectively revised February 24, 2017 unaudited interim financial statements were issued (as to the 1-for-3 reverse share split described herein).

 

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Index to Financial Statements
(2) Escrow Release

The terms of the Sale of the Enterprise business unit to SanDisk in August 2013 required that 10% of the Sale proceeds be set aside in an escrow account (the Escrow) to satisfy any claims under certain indemnification obligations that could have arisen under the Stock Purchase Agreement entered into in July 2013 between Storage and SanDisk (the Sale Agreement). The indemnification obligations relate to representations and warranties that are typical in transactions of this nature including, without limitation, representations as to the accuracy of financial information, absence of undisclosed liabilities, compliance with laws, clear title to assets sold, proper payment of taxes and correct filings of tax returns, and no infringement of intellectual property rights of third parties. On August 21, 2014, SanDisk made a claim for an amount in excess of the amount held in escrow (see Note 10(c) Commitments and Contingencies). On December 4, 2014, SanDisk and the Company instructed the escrow agent to release the entire escrow balance (the Escrow Release). On December 5, 2014, the Company received $30.5 million from the escrow account. On January 1, 2015, utilizing the funds received from the Escrow Release, the Company’s board of directors declared a $28.3 million cash distribution out of the Company’s share premium account (additional paid-in capital) to be paid to holders of record of ordinary shares of the Company on that date (the Escrow Distribution). The Escrow Distribution was paid to the shareholders in January 2015.

 

(3) Related Party Transactions

In the normal course of business, the Company had transactions with its affiliates as follows (in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended      Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
     February 26,
2016
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 
     (unaudited)                

Affiliates:

           

Net sales

   $ 26,688      $ 22,807      $ 38,817      $ 96,996  

Expenses:

           

Management advisory fees

     2,000        2,001        4,001        4,030  

On October 29, 2013, investment funds affiliated with Silver Lake completed a go-private transaction with Dell Inc., a customer of the Company. Accordingly, Dell is considered an affiliate of the Company since that date.

As of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, amounts due from these affiliates were $7.2 million, $0.4 million and $6.0 million, respectively.

On August 26, 2011, Saleen Acquisition, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (Merger Sub) entered into a Transaction and Management Fee Agreement (the Management Agreement) with Silver Lake Management Company III, L.L.C. and Silver Lake Management Company Sumeru, L.L.C. (collectively, the Managers), which entities are affiliated with Silver Lake. As part of the Acquisition, Merger Sub was merged into SMART Worldwide. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, each of the Managers provides Services, as defined in the Management Agreement, for which the Managers, or their designees, are entitled to receive annual fees in the amount of $4.0 million per year which accrue in quarterly installments in arrears at the end of each calendar quarter, plus out-of-pocket expenses. The amount of the fees is subject to adjustments, as set forth in the Management Agreement. The Management Agreement has an initial term of ten years with automatic one-year renewal terms thereafter. During the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, the Company expensed $2.0 million, $2.0 million, $4.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively, in management advisory fees and related expenses and had a payable due to the Managers of $3.7 million, $1.7 million and $0.7 million as of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, respectively.

 

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Index to Financial Statements
(4) Accounts Receivable Purchasing Facility

In May 2012, SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. (SMART Modular) and SMART Modular Technologies (Europe) Limited (collectively, for this footnote only, Sellers), both wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, entered into a Receivables Purchasing Agreement (as amended, the RPA) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (Wells Fargo). Under the RPA, the Sellers can offer to sell to Wells Fargo certain Eligible Receivables (as defined in the RPA) due from certain designated customers, and Wells Fargo has the right to purchase Eligible Receivables offered for sale by Sellers. The maximum amount of Eligible Receivables that Wells Fargo can purchase is capped based upon the aggregate outstanding balances of purchased receivables which maximum is set at $50 million with sublimits assigned to each of Sellers’ customers that are approved for the program. Wells Fargo has no obligation to purchase any Eligible Receivables under the RPA. All purchases of Eligible Receivables are at a discount equal to a 2-month LIBOR plus 2.75% annual discount margin, calculated on a daily basis for the number of days between the payment of the purchase price by Wells Fargo to the Sellers and the actual collection of the Eligible Receivables by Wells Fargo from the account debtor. Purchases are also subject to a 95% advance rate with the 5% being reimbursed to the Sellers upon collection by Wells Fargo from the account debtor. Under the terms of the RPA, Sellers retain limited recourse for product warranties and commercial disputes and Wells Fargo bears the full risk of insolvency and collectability. Sellers are appointed as the agent of Wells Fargo to perform collection services. The RPA is not a committed facility and can be terminated by either party upon 30 days’ notice. The RPA has standard representations and warranties, including for the validity and collectability of the Eligible Receivables, and various negative and affirmative covenants that are typical for arrangements of this nature. The obligations of the Sellers are jointly and severally guaranteed by SMART Worldwide and its subsidiary SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc. (Global). Financing under this receivables purchase program qualifies for off-balance sheet financing as the transfer of receivables to Wells Fargo represents a true-sale.

During the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, the Sellers sold $112.4 million, $431.3 million, $639.8 million and $717.6 million of accounts receivables under the RPA respectively. The outstanding balance of receivables sold and not yet collected was approximately $25.9 million, $28.5 million and $78.9 million as of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, respectively. Total interest expense fees paid during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015 was $0.4 million, $1.1 million, $1.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

 

(5) Balance Sheet Details

Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     February 24,
2017
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 
     (unaudited)                

Raw materials

   $ 59,015      $ 46,746      $ 57,894  

Work in process

     19,059        10,932        11,360  

Finished goods

     53,810        45,388        63,650  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total inventories*

   $ 131,884      $ 103,066      $ 132,904  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  * As of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, 38%, 45% and 48%, respectively, of total inventories represented inventory held under the Company’s supply chain services.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     February 24,
2017
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 
     (unaudited)                

Prepayment for VAT and other transaction taxes

   $ 2,791      $ 1,478      $ 2,479  

Prepaid ICMS taxes in Brazil*

     —          —          2,404  

Receivable from Purchasing Facility**

     1,295        1,429        3,946  

Unbilled service receivables

     1,504        3,563        9,016  

Prepaid income taxes

     3,666        4,602        2,519  

Deferred tax assets

     —          812        1,114  

Other prepaid expenses and other current assets

     4,090        4,638        4,545  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total prepaid expenses and other current assets

   $ 13,346      $ 16,522      $ 26,023  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  * See Note 1(i)
  ** See Note 4.

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     February 24,
2017
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 
     (unaudited)                

Office furniture, software, computers and equipment

   $   17,010      $   15,932      $   16,432  

Manufacturing equipment

     91,809        89,432        77,677  

Leasehold improvements*

     22,509        20,490        14,334  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     131,328        125,854        108,443  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     77,426        68,254        48,132  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net property and equipment

   $ 53,902      $ 57,600      $ 60,311  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  * Includes Penang facility, which is situated on leased land.

Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment was approximately $11.6 million, $9.1 million, $18.1 million and $19.3 million during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Other Noncurrent Assets

Other noncurrent assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     February 24,
2017
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 
     (unaudited)                

Prepaid ICMS taxes in Brazil*

   $ 11,574      $ 10,219      $ 6,581  

Prepayment for VAT and other transaction taxes

     521        980        3,752  

Restricted cash

     7,035        6,792        6,693  

Deferred tax assets

     1,556        290        127  

Other

     2,015        1,656        2,306  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other noncurrent assets

   $ 22,701      $ 19,937      $ 19,459  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  * See Note 1(i)

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of (in thousands):

 

     February 24,
2017
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 
     (unaudited)                

Accrued employee compensation

   $ 10,336      $ 8,888      $ 5,356  

Accrued credits payable to customers

     724        —          3,144  

VAT and other transaction taxes payable

     1,107        1,791        4,261  

Income taxes payable

     1,917        1,055        588  

Accrued warranty reserve

     303        266        290  

Deferred tax liability

     —          155        195  

Other accrued liabilities

     2,924        1,916        2,633  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accrued liabilities

   $ 17,311      $ 14,071      $ 16,467  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(6) Income Taxes

Loss before provision for income taxes for all annual periods presented consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 

U.S.

   $ (5,545   $ (26,680

Non-U.S.

     (11,971     (13,122
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ (17,516   $ (39,802
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 

Current:

     

Federal

   $ 3      $ (352

State

     50        58  

Other foreign

     3,678        9,407  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,731        9,113  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred:

     

Federal and state

     —          (308

Other foreign

     (1,287      (2,156
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (1,287      (2,464
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total income tax provision

   $ 2,444      $ 6,649  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Index to Financial Statements

In applying the statutory tax rate in the effective income tax rate reconciliation, the Company used the U.S. statutory tax rate, rather than the Cayman Islands zero percent tax rate. The effective income tax rate, expressed as a percentage of income before income taxes, varied from the U.S. statutory income tax rate applied to loss before provision for income taxes as a result of the following items:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 

Statutory tax benefit rate

     35.0     35.0

Foreign income taxes at different rates

     (37.5     (30.6

State income tax, net of federal tax benefit

     (0.2     2.1  

Tax on uncertain tax positions

     0.3       0.1  

Change in valuation allowance

     (9.7     (21.7

Non-deductible expenses

     —         (0.2

Other—net

     (1.8     (1.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

     (13.9 )%      (16.7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

 

     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 

Deferred tax assets:

     

Accruals and allowances

   $ 2,094      $ 2,235  

Share-based compensation

     9,186        8,169  

Research and other tax credits carryforwards

     522        117  

Property and equipment

     838        790  

Net operating loss carryforwards

     33,520        34,311  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets

     46,160        45,622  

Valuation allowance

     (43,644      (41,112
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance

     2,516        4,510  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

     

Unrealized gain on currency

     —          (388

Purchase accounting intangibles

     (4,160      (7,075

Other

     —          (194
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

     (4,160      (7,657
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

   $ (1,644    $ (3,147
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The net deferred tax assets (liabilities) are classified as follows in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

 

     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 

Net current deferred tax assets (liabilities)

   $ 743      $ 919  

Net long-term deferred tax assets (liabilities)

     (2,387      (4,066
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net deferred tax liabilities

   $ (1,644    $ (3,147
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of August 26, 2016, the Company had U.S. (federal) and California (state) net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $98.5 million and $57.9 million, respectively. The federal net operating loss carryforwards will expire, if not utilized, in fiscal 2023 through fiscal 2036, and the California net operating loss carryforwards will expire in fiscal 2017 through fiscal 2036, both in varying amounts. These federal

 

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Index to Financial Statements

and California carryforwards are subject to an annual limitation, under the provisions of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Section 382 provides an annual limitation on net operating loss carryforwards following an ownership change. Any unused annual limitation is carried forward and added to the limitation in the subsequent year.

During fiscal 2016 and 2015, there were no excess tax deductions attributable to share-based payments that reduce taxes payable. Accordingly, the Company recorded no tax benefit to additional paid-in capital.

The valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, primarily related to U.S. net operating loss carry forwards and tax credit carryforwards, was $43.6 million and $41.1 million as of August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, respectively. The increase in valuation allowance of $2.5 million is primarily attributable to the increase in U.S. deferred tax assets for timing differences, net operating losses and tax credits that require a full valuation allowance. We intend to maintain a valuation allowance until sufficient positive evidence exists to support the realization of such deferred tax assets.

Provisions have been made for deferred income taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries to the extent that dividend payments by such foreign subsidiaries are expected to result in additional tax liability. The undistributed foreign earnings of approximately $166.3 million would not be included in U.S. taxable income because the U.S. subsidiaries are not direct or indirect shareholders of these foreign subsidiaries. The Company, a Cayman Islands entity, is the indirect holding company for which the Cayman Islands do not assess income taxes. The undistributed foreign earnings would incur an insignificant amount of foreign country withholding taxes if it were to be distributed to the Company due to foreign tax laws and rulings.

The Company’s Malaysia subsidiary, SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd. (SMART Malaysia), has been approved for tax holidays for the operations of its Pioneer business and Global Supply Chain (GSC) business. Both tax holidays are effective for five years. The Pioneer tax holiday commenced on January 1, 2014 and will expire on December 31, 2018. The GSC tax holiday commenced on September 1, 2013 and will expire on August 31, 2018. The Malaysian tax holidays are subject to certain conditions, with which SMART Malaysia has complied for all applicable periods in fiscal 2016 and 2015. The net impact of these tax holidays in Malaysia, as compared to the Malaysia statutory tax rate, was to decrease income tax expense by approximately $4.9  million ($0.36 per share) and $7.8 million ($0.57 per share) in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively.

Effective February 1, 2011, SMART Brazil began to participate in PADIS. This program is specifically designed to promote the development of the local semiconductor industry. The Brazilian government has approved multiple applications for different products by SMART Brazil for certain beneficial tax treatment under the PADIS incentive. This beneficial tax treatment includes a reduction in the Brazil statutory income tax rate from 34% to 9% on taxable income for the Brazilian semiconductor operations of SMART Brazil. The net impact of the PADIS beneficial tax treatment, as compared to the Brazilian statutory tax rate, was to decrease income tax expense by approximately $0.7 million ($0.06 per share) and $10.3 million ($0.75 per share) for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively. In order to receive the expected benefits, SMART Brazil is required to invest 5% of its net semiconductor sales in research and development (R&D) activities each calendar year, which is the measurement period. In May 2014, the R&D investment requirement was reduced to 3% for calendar years 2014 and 2015. SMART Brazil fulfilled this R&D investment requirement in calendar year 2015 and expects to fulfill this R&D requirement in calendar year 2016 which will be 4%. In computing the tax expense for fiscal 2016 and 2015, the Company estimated its annual effective tax rate including the anticipated impact of beneficial tax treatment under the PADIS incentive.

The total gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits was approximately $15.3 million and $14.0 million as of August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, respectively. The Company records interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. The balance of accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits was $0.3 million as of both August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015. As of August 26, 2016, changes to our uncertain tax positions in the next twelve months that are reasonably possible are not expected to have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

The aggregate changes in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits were as follows (in thousands):

 

     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 

Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period

   $ 14,048      $ 19,272  

Tax positions taken in prior periods:

     

Gross increases

     823        462  

Gross decreases

     (58      (5,802

Tax positions taken in current period:

     

Gross increases

     520        174  

Settlements

     —          —    

Lapse of statute of limitations

     —          (58
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits, end of period

   $ 15,333      $ 14,048  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized is $2.1 million and $2.2 million for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively.

The Company’s U.S. subsidiaries file federal and state income/franchise tax returns in the United States. The tax periods ended August 2013 through August 2016 remain open to federal income tax examination. Generally, in the major state jurisdictions, the tax periods ended August 2012 through August 2016 remain open to state income/franchise tax examination. In addition, any prior year that generated a net operating loss or tax credit carryforward available for use in the taxable periods ending after August 2012 and August 2011 for federal and state income/franchise taxes, respectively, remains open to income tax examination to the extent of such net operating loss carryforward.

The Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries file income tax returns in various non-U.S. jurisdictions, including Malaysia, Brazil, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Italy. The years that are open for examination by the tax authorities of these jurisdictions vary by country. The earliest year open for examination by any non-U.S. subsidiary is the fiscal year ended August 2010 is SMART Malaysia.

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act (“Act”) was signed into law on December 18, 2015. The Act contains a number of provisions including, most notably, a retroactive and permanent reinstatement of the United States federal research tax credit. The Act did not have a material impact on our effective tax rate for fiscal 2016 due to the effect of the valuation allowance on the Company’s deferred tax assets.

 

(7) Long-Term Debt

Senior Secured Credit Agreement

On August 26, 2011, in connection with the Acquisition, Memory and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a new senior secured credit agreement (together with all related loan documents, and as amended from time to time, prior to Amendment 4 and the ARCA, each as defined below, the Senior Secured Credit Agreement) with the lenders party thereto. Memory and, after the Memory-WWH Merger, SMART Worldwide as Memory’s successor in interest, the borrowers named in the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and the subsidiaries of Memory that entered into a guarantee with respect to the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, are collectively referred to as the Loan Parties and together with SMART Malaysia, the Credit Group. The Senior Secured Credit Agreement provides for a $310 million senior secured term loan B facility and a $50 million revolving facility. The maturity dates of the term loan B facility and the revolving facility were extended to August 26, 2019 under the ARCA as discussed below. SMART Global Holding is not a party to the Senior Secured Credit Agreement. As a result of the Memory-WWH Merger, SMART Worldwide assumed all of the obligations of Memory and became one of the Loan Parties and a member of the Credit Group as of January 2, 2015. Term loans aggregating $310.0 million were issued on August 26,

 

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Index to Financial Statements

2011 at a discount of 3.5% or $10.9 million, resulting in net proceeds of $299.1 million to Global and SMART Modular, wholly owned subsidiaries of SMART Worldwide and the co-borrowers under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement.

The Senior Secured Credit Agreement is jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior basis by certain subsidiaries of Global (excluding, among other subsidiaries, SMART Malaysia). In addition, the Senior Secured Credit Agreement is secured by a pledge of the capital stock of, or equity interests in, most of the subsidiaries of SMART Worldwide (including, without limitation, SMART Malaysia) and by substantially all of the assets of SMART Worldwide and the subsidiaries of SMART Worldwide, excluding the assets of SMART Malaysia and certain other subsidiaries.

Covenants . The Senior Secured Credit Agreement contains various representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants that are usual and customary for loans of this nature including, among other things, limitations on the Loan Parties’ ability to engage in certain transactions, incur debt, pay dividends, and make investments. If letters of credit in excess of $1.0 million in the aggregate, or any revolving loans are outstanding at the end of any fiscal quarter, then the Secured Net Leverage ratio cannot exceed 4.5:1.0 as of the end of the applicable fiscal quarter. SMART Worldwide and its subsidiaries did not have any borrowings under the revolver and did not have letters of credit in excess of $1.0 million on any measurement date during fiscal 2016 and 2015. In order to draw on the revolving facility, the Secured Net Leverage Ratio cannot exceed 4.5:1.0 when taking the requested draw into account.

Interest and Interest Rates . Loans under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at the borrowers’ option, either (i) a LIBOR rate (with a floor of 1.25% on term loans and a floor of 1.00% on revolving loans), or (ii) a base rate (with a floor of 2.25% on term loans and a floor of 2.00% on revolving loans). The applicable margin for term loans with respect to LIBOR borrowings is 7.0% and with respect to base rate borrowings is 6.0%. The interest rate on the term loan was 8.25% as of August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015. The applicable margin for revolving loans adjusts every quarter. The adjustments are based on the Secured Net Leverage Ratio for the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements were delivered to the lenders. The applicable margin for revolving loans with respect to LIBOR borrowings ranges from 3.75% to 4.00% and the applicable margin for revolving loans with respect to base rate borrowings ranges from 2.75% to 3.00%. Interest on base rate loans under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement is payable on the last day of each February, May, August and November. Interest on LIBOR-based loans under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement is payable every one, two, three, six, nine or twelve months after the date of each borrowing, dependent on the particular interest rate selected with respect to such borrowing.

Principal Payments . The Senior Secured Credit Agreement required quarterly scheduled principal payments of term loans. These quarterly principal repayments were reduced from their original amounts as a result of the April 2012 Prepayment and January 2014 Prepayment discussed below. During the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, and in fiscal 2016 and 2015, SMART Worldwide and Memory made scheduled principal payments of $7.8 million, $6.6 million, $13.3 million and $13.3 million, respectively.

Prepayments . The borrowers have the right at any time to make optional prepayments of the principal amounts outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement. On or about April 9, 2012, the subsidiary borrowers of Memory made a discounted prepayment of $25 million resulting in a principal reduction of $36.7 million (the April 2012 Prepayment). The April 2012 Prepayment was made at a 32% discount to par value and resulted in an $8.9 million gain on early repayment of long-term debt in fiscal 2012. Memory incurred $0.2 million of agent and attorney fees in connection with the April 2012 Prepayment. On or about January 7, 2014, the subsidiary borrowers of Memory made another discounted prepayment in the amount of $6.6 million resulting in a principal reduction of $7.5 million (the January 2014 Prepayment). The January 2014 Prepayment was made at a 12% discount to par value and resulted in a $0.4 million gain on early repayment of long-term debt in the second quarter of fiscal 2014.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

The Senior Secured Credit Agreement also requires certain mandatory prepayments of principal whereby the borrowers must prepay outstanding loans, subject to certain exceptions, which includes, among other things:

 

   

75% of excess cash flow after each fiscal year if the Secured Net Leverage Ratio is greater than 2.0:1.0; 50% of excess cash flow if the Secured Net Leverage Ratio is greater than 1.5:1.0 but less than or equal to 2.0:1.0; 25% of excess cash flow if the Secured Net Leverage Ratio is greater than 1.0:1.0 but less than or equal to 1.5:1.0; and 0% of excess cash flow if the Secured Net Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 1.0:1.0, which amounts will be reduced by any permitted voluntary prepayments of principal made in the applicable fiscal year;

 

   

100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales or other dispositions of property of SMART Worldwide or any restricted subsidiary, subject to the borrowers’ rights to reinvest the proceeds; and

 

   

100% of the net cash proceeds of incurrence of certain debt by any restricted subsidiary, other than proceeds from certain debt to be incurred under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement.

During fiscal 2016 and 2015, SMART Worldwide and Memory were not required to make any mandatory prepayments.

Memory incurred approximately $18.4 million in debt issuance costs upon entering into the Senior Secured Credit Agreement. Debt issuance costs related to this loan and the debt discount of $10.9 million are being amortized to interest expense based on the effective interest rate method over the life of this loan. The April 2012 Prepayment resulted in a write-off of $2.9 million of original issue discount and debt issuance fees. The January 2014 Prepayment resulted in a write-off of $0.4 million of original issue discount and debt issuance fees.

As of December 4, 2015, the Credit Group entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Credit Agreement (Amendment 3) which enabled the Credit Group to draw on the revolving facility if the Secured Net Leverage Ratio did not exceed 5.5:1.0 in the first fiscal quarter of 2016; if the Secured Net Leverage Ratio did not exceed 6.75:1.0 in the second fiscal quarter of 2016; and if the Secured Net Leverage Ratio did not exceed 5.75:1.0 in the third fiscal quarter of 2016; in each instance when taking the requested draw into account. Additionally, until August 26, 2016, Amendment 3 further limited the Credit Group’s ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, permit liens, make investments, sell assets, make restricted payments or prepay junior debt.

On November 29, 2016, the Credit Group received all required approvals from the Lenders and entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Agreement (Amendment 4) dated as of November 5, 2016 (the Amendment Date) which, among other things, adopted the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among SMART Worldwide, Global, SMART Modular and the Loan Parties and lenders party thereto (the ARCA or debt extension). Pursuant to Amendment 4, the borrowers agreed to pay the Administrative Agent a fee in the amount of $1 million pursuant to a separate agreement and a fee, to be paid in the form of an additional term loan, in the amount of $5 million for the ratable account of the term lenders party to Amendment 4. Additionally, SMART Global Holdings was obligated to make an aggregate equity investment of at least $9.9 million in cash in Global, and SMART Global Holdings was obligated on the Amendment Date to issue warrants (the Lender Warrants) to purchase 20%, on a pro forma basis, of the outstanding ordinary shares of SMART Global Holdings, to the term lenders party to Amendment 4 upon the signing of Amendment 4, which Warrants are exercisable at $0.03 per share, with warrants totaling 10% of SMART Global Holdings shares exercisable immediately and warrants to purchase an additional 10% of SMART Global Holdings then outstanding shares, exercisable only if there are balances still outstanding on the term loans at the one year anniversary of the effective date of the Amendment Date. The relative fair value of the warrants and the fees payable to the lenders in connection with the ARCA were recorded as debt discount and will result in additional interest expense over the amended term of the loan using the effective interest method following debt modification accounting.

Under the terms of the ARCA, the maturity date of the term loans and the revolving loans was extended to August 26, 2019. If there are balances still outstanding on the term loans at the one year

 

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anniversary of the ARCA, the borrowers are obligated to pay an additional fee to the term lenders of $5 million in cash. In addition, the ARCA increases the quarterly scheduled principal payments of term loans to $3,875,000 per quarter to be paid on the last day of each fiscal quarter starting November 25, 2016. The balance of the principal amount then outstanding is due in full on the maturity date of August 26, 2019. Additionally the ARCA further limited the Credit Group’s ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, permit liens, make investments, sell assets, retain cash proceeds from the sale of assets, make restricted payments or prepay junior debt. The ARCA reduces the limit on the allowable sale or factoring of accounts receivables to $60 million as of the ARCA effective date and to $50 million on the first anniversary of the Amendment Date if there are still balances outstanding on the term loans on such date. The ARCA also requires the borrowers to repay principal after the end of each quarter in an amount equal to any cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet for such quarter, in excess of $25 million; provided that, for the fiscal quarters ended November 25, 2016 and February 24, 2017 such prepayment shall not be in an amount that would cause the Secured Net Leverage Ratio to exceed the amount permissible to incur all amounts of revolving loans otherwise available under the revolving commitments provided under the ARCA. Under the terms of the ARCA the borrowers can no longer reinvest in the Credit Group, proceeds from the sale of assets which proceeds must be used to repay principal except that, in certain situations the borrowers may retain an aggregate of $40 million from such sale proceeds solely to the extent necessary to meet the requirement to have a total of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents plus available unused funds under the revolving commitments equal to $40 million during the 60 days following receipt of such proceeds. Early mandatory repayments of principle are applied in the reverse order of maturity.

Under the ARCA the interest rate charged on loans has been amended to be a rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at the borrowers’ option, either (i) a LIBOR rate (with a floor of 1.25% on term loans and a floor of 1.00% on revolving loans), or (ii) a base rate (with a floor of 2.25% on term loans and a floor of 2.00% on revolving loans). The applicable margin for term loans with respect to LIBOR borrowings is 8.0% increasing to 8.75% on the first anniversary of the effective date of the ARCA if there are balances still outstanding on the term loans on such date, and with respect to base rate borrowings is 7.0% increasing to 7.75% on the first anniversary of the ARCA if there are balances still outstanding on term loans on such date. The applicable margin for revolving loans continues to adjust every quarter with such adjustments are now based on the Secured Leverage Ratio for the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements were delivered to the lenders. The applicable margin for revolving loans with respect to LIBOR borrowings remains in the range of 3.75% to 4.00% and the applicable margin for revolving loans with respect to base rate borrowings remains in the range of 2.75% to 3.00%. Interest on base rate loans under the ARCA is payable on the last day of each February, May, August and November. Interest on LIBOR-based loans under the ARCA is payable every one, two, three, six, nine or twelve months after the date of each borrowing, dependent on the particular interest rate selected with respect to such borrowing.

As of February 24, 2017, the outstanding principal balance of term loans under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement was $216.0 million and there were no outstanding revolving loans. As of August 26, 2016, the outstanding principal balance of term loans under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement was $218.8 million and there were no outstanding revolving loans. The fair value of the term loans as of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015 was estimated to be approximately $187.9 million, $192.5 million and $219.3 million, respectively. As of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, since the Company used broker quotes from inactive markets and there were no unobservable inputs, this was treated as a Level 2 financial instrument.

BNDES Credit Agreements

In December 2013, SMART Brazil, entered into a credit facility with the Brazilian Development Bank, or BNDES, referred to as the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement. Under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement, a total of R$50.6 million (or $16.2 million) was made available to SMART Brazil for investments in infrastructure, research and development conducted in Brazil and acquisitions of equipment not otherwise available in the Brazilian domestic market. SMART Brazil’s obligations under the BNDES 2013 Credit

 

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Agreement are guaranteed by Banco Itaú BBA S.A., or Itaú Bank, which guarantee is in turn secured by a guarantee from SMART Brazil and SMART do Brazil and a commitment by SMART Brazil to maintain minimum cash balances with Itaú Bank equal to 11.85% of the maximum aggregate balance of principal, interest and fees outstanding under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement. As of both February 24, 2017 and August 26, 2016, the committed amount was R$6.0 million (or $1.9 million), which is shown on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as restricted cash in other noncurrent assets.

Approximately half of the available debt under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement accrues interest at a fixed rate while the other half accrues interest at a floating rate. The facility under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement is a term loan fully amortizing in 48 equal monthly installments beginning on August 15, 2015 with the final principal payment being due on July 15, 2019.

As of February 24, 2017, SMART Brazil’s outstanding debt under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement was R$31.9 million (or $10.2 million), of which R$15.7 million (or $5.0 million) accrues interest at the fixed rate of 3.5% and R$16.2 million (or $5.2 million) of the debt accrues interest at the floating rate of 0.5% above the TJLP rate published by the Central Bank of Brazil, or BZTJLP (5.0%), combined corresponding to an overall effective interest rate of 5.5% per annum. As of August 26, 2016, SMART Brazil’s outstanding debt under the BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement was R$38.2 million (or $11.8 million), of which R$18.9 million (or $5.8 million) accrues interest at the fixed rate of 3.5% and R$19.3 million (or $6.0 million) of the debt accrues interest at the floating rate of 0.5% above the TJLP rate published by the Central Bank of Brazil, or BZTJLP (5.0%), combined corresponding to an overall effective interest rate of 5.5% per annum.

In December 2014, SMART Brazil, entered into a second credit facility with BNDES, referred to as the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement. The BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement and the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement are collectively referred to as the BNDES Agreements. Under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement, a total of R$52.8 million (or $16.9 million) was made available to SMART Brazil for research and development conducted in Brazil related to integrated circuit (IC) packaging and for acquisitions of equipment not otherwise available in the Brazilian domestic market.

SMART Brazil’s obligations under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement are also guaranteed by Itaú Bank, which guarantee is in turn secured by a guarantee from SMART Brazil and SMART do Brazil and a commitment by SMART Brazil to maintain minimum cash balances with Itaú Bank equal to 30.31% of the maximum aggregate balance of principal, interest and fees outstanding under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement, or approximately R$16.0 million (or $5.1 million) of required cash balances, which is shown on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as restricted cash in other noncurrent assets.

The available debt under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement accrues interest at a fixed rate of 4% per annum. The BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement is a term loan fully amortizing in 48 equal monthly installments beginning on August 15, 2016 with the final principal payment being due on July 15, 2020.

As of February 24, 2017 and August 26, 2016, SMART Brazil’s outstanding debt under the BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement was R$46.2 million (or $14.8 million) and R$52.8 million (or $16.3 million), respectively.

While the BNDES Agreements do not include any financial covenants, they contain affirmative and negative covenants customary for loans of this nature, including, among other things, an obligation to comply with all laws and regulations; a right for BNDES to terminate the loan in the event of a change of effective control; and a prohibition against the disposition or encumbrance, without BNDES consent, of intellectual property developed with the funds from the loans. The BNDES 2013 Credit Agreement includes an obligation to draw down the entire loan within specified periods of time or pay unused commitment fees of 0.1%. The BNDES 2014 Credit Agreement required a loan fee of 0.3% of the total face amount of the loan facility.

The fair value of amounts outstanding under the BNDES Agreements as of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015 was estimated to be approximately $18.8 million, $19.4 million and

 

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$12.9 million, respectively. Since the Company used broker quotes from inactive markets and there were no unobservable inputs, this was treated as a Level 2 financial instrument.

The Senior Secured Credit agreement and the BNDES Agreements are classified as follows in the accompanying consolidating balance sheets (in thousands):

 

     February 24,
2017
    August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 
     (unaudited)              

Term loan

   $ 216,010     $ 218,760     $ 232,018  

BNDES 2013 principal balance

     10,212       11,785       14,910  

BNDES 2014 principal balance

     14,779       16,306       8,839  

Unamortized 3.5% debt discount

     (1,156     (1,716     (3,370

Unamortized debt issuance costs

     (24,939     (2,432     (5,398
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net amount

     214,906       242,703       246,999  

Current portion of long-term debt

     (12,162     (17,116     (12,382
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

   $ 202,744     $ 225,587     $ 234,617  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The future minimum principal payments under the ARCA and the BNDES Agreements as of August 26, 2016 are (in thousands):

 

     ARCA      BNDES      Total  

Fiscal year ending August:

        

2017

   $ 15,500      $ 7,998      $ 23,498  

2018

     15,500        8,005        23,505  

2019

     192,760        8,005        200,765  

2020

     —          4,083        4,083  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 223,760      $ 28,091      $ 251,851  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(8) Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates the carrying amount due to the relatively short maturity of these items. Cash and cash equivalents consist of funds held in general checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, and securities with maturities of less than 90 days at the time of purchase. The Company does not have investments in variable rate demand notes or auction rate securities.

The FASB guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets to identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

   

Level 1. Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that an entity has the ability to access. The Company’s Level 1 assets include money market funds that are classified as cash equivalents and restricted cash which is classified under long-term assets.

 

   

Level 2. Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable data for substantially the full term of the assets and liabilities. The Company’s Level 2 liabilities include the term loans under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and the BNDES Credit Agreements that are classified as long-term debt.

 

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Level 3. Valuations based on inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The Company did not have any financial instruments measured under Level 3 as of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following (in millions):

 

    Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
or Liabilities

(Level 1)
    Observable/
Unobservable
Inputs
Corroborated by
Market Data

(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
    Total  

Balances as of February 24, 2017 (unaudited):

       

Assets

       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 23.3     $ —       $ —       $ 23.3  

Restricted cash (1)

    7.0       —         —         7.0  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

  $ 30.3     $ —       $ —       $ 30.3  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

          —    

Term loan

  $ —       $ 187.9     $ —       $ 187.9  

BNDES Credit Agreements

    —         18.8       —         18.8  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value (2)

  $ —       $ 206.7     $ —       $ 206.7  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of August 26, 2016:

       

Assets

       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 58.6     $ —       $ —       $ 58.6  

Restricted cash (1)

    6.8       —         —         6.8  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

  $ 65.4     $ —       $ —       $ 65.4  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

          —    

Term loan

  $ —       $ 192.5     $ —       $ 192.5  

BNDES Credit Agreements

    —         19.4       —         19.4  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value (2)

  $ —       $ 211.9     $ —       $ 211.9  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of August 28, 2015:

       

Assets

       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 68.1     $ —       $ —       $ 68.1  

Restricted cash (1)

    6.7       —         —         6.7  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

  $ 74.8     $ —       $ —       $ 74.8  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

          —    

Term loan

  $ —       $ 219.3     $ —       $ 219.3  

BNDES Credit Agreements

    —         12.9       —         12.9  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value (2)

  $ —       $ 232.2     $ —       $ 232.2  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (1) Included in other noncurrent assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
  (2) Included under long-term debt on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

(9) Share-Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans

 

(a) Share-Based Compensation

Equity Awards

On August 26, 2011, the board of directors adopted the Saleen Holdings, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan which has been amended and restated and is now known as the SMART Global Holdings, Inc. 2011 Share Incentive Plan (the SGH Plan). The SGH Plan provides for grants of equity awards to employees, directors and consultants of SMART Global Holdings and its subsidiaries. Options granted under the SGH Plan provide the option to purchase SMART Global Holdings’ ordinary shares at the fair value of such

 

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shares on the grant date. The options generally vest over a four-year period beginning on the grant date with a two year cliff and then monthly thereafter, and generally have a ten year term. Options granted after August 26, 2011 and before September 23, 2014 have an eight year term. As of February 24, 2017, there were 8,099,219 ordinary shares reserved for issuance under the SGH Plan, of which 1,271,407 ordinary shares were available for grant. As of August 26, 2016, there were 8,099,219 ordinary shares reserved for issuance under the SGH Plan, of which 1,708,433 ordinary shares were available for grant.

In October 2011, the board of directors of Memory approved the SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc. 2011 Share Incentive Plan (the Memory Plan). The Memory Plan provided for grants of equity awards to employees, directors and consultants of Memory and its subsidiaries. Options granted under the Memory Plan provided the option to purchase Memory’s ordinary shares at the fair value of such shares on the grant date. The options generally vest over a four year period beginning on the grant date with a two year cliff and then monthly thereafter, and generally have an eight year term. On January 2, 2015, the Memory Plan was cancelled as a result of the Memory-WWH Merger.

In October 2011, the board of directors of Storage approved the SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc. 2011 Share Incentive Plan (the Storage Plan). The Storage Plan provided for grants of equity awards to employees, directors and consultants of Storage and its subsidiaries. Options granted under the Storage Plan provided the option to purchase Storage’s ordinary shares at the fair value of such shares on the grant date. During fiscal 2013 and 2012, certain Memory employees who performed functions for Storage also received option grants under the Storage Plan; these were accounted for as employee awards based on common control and ownership of the two affiliated companies. The options generally vested over a four year period beginning on the grant date with a two year cliff and then monthly thereafter, and generally have an eight year term. On February 12, 2015, the Storage Plan was cancelled as a result of the Storage-Intermediate Merger.

On August 19, 2014, the shareholders authorized that the name of the Company be changed from Saleen Holdings, Inc. to SMART Global Holdings, Inc. and that the authorized share capital of the Company be increased from $500,000 divided into 50,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share, to $600,000 divided into 60,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share, by the creation of an additional 10,000,000 ordinary shares with a par or nominal value of $0.01 each ranking pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares.

On August 19, 2014, the shareholders also authorized that the SGH Plan be amended and restated to, among other things, increase the amount of ordinary shares, par value $0.03 per share, available under the SGH Plan from 6,099,219 ordinary shares to 8,099,219 ordinary shares.

Tender Offer

On April 25, 2016, the Company offered the SGH Plan option holders the opportunity to exchange certain outstanding and unexercised grants with exercise prices higher than $11.55 per share, for new replacement grants with the following terms: (a) an exercise price of $11.55 per share, (b) a lower number of shares based on pre-determined formula, (c) a vesting schedule of 2 years with 50% vesting on first anniversary and the balance vesting quarterly over the second year, and (d) a new ten-year term.

On May 23, 2016, the Tender Offer was completed and resulted in 1,652,575 options being cancelled, in exchange for 811,277 replacement options. As a result of the Tender Offer, there was an option modification charge of $2.7 million which will be expensed over the next 2 years, which is the vesting period of the replacement grants.

Option Exchange

On January 2, 2015, as a result of the Memory-WWH Merger, Memory merged with and into SMART Worldwide and Memory ceased to exist as a separate legal entity. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement among Memory, SMART Worldwide and SMART Global Holdings, SMART Global Holdings

 

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assumed all unexercised options under the Memory Plan with a continuation of their respective vesting schedules and otherwise on the same terms and conditions to which such assumed options were subject prior to the assumption except for adjustments to the exercise price and quantity of underlying shares (the Option Exchange). The methodology used in the Option Exchange was intended to preserve the intrinsic value of such assumed options pursuant to the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. As a result of the Option Exchange, 5,570,580 options outstanding under the Memory Plan were exchanged for 1,216,312 options under the SGH Plan. The Option Exchange resulted in an option modification charge of $0.5 million share-based compensation expense, of which $0.3 million was recognized upon the modification (in the second quarter of fiscal 2015) and the remaining $0.2 million will be recognized over the remaining service period.

Sale Impact on Share Options, Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs) and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

In connection with the Sale in August 2013, certain transactions occurred relating to share options, RSAs and RSUs under the SGH Plan. In connection with an Escrow Distribution (as defined in Note 2) declared on January 1, 2015 (see Note 2), the following transactions occurred in the second quarter of fiscal 2015: (a) all SGH options received a strike price reduction of $2.04 per share in order to make an equitable adjustment as required in the SGH Plan due to the extraordinary cash distribution to shareholders resulting from the Escrow Distribution and, to the extent that the strike price reduction would have gone below the strike price floor of $2.64 per share, a strike price floor payment was made; (b) for the awards under the Storage Plan that were fully or partially accelerated in August 2013 in connection with the Sale, an additional cash payment was made; and (c) all RSU unexpired and outstanding as of January 1, 2015 received an adjustment in quantity in order to make an equitable adjustment as required in the SGH Plan due to the extraordinary cash distribution to shareholders resulting from the Escrow Distribution.

Summary of Assumptions and Activity

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. The fair value of the ordinary shares underlying the Company’s equity awards has historically been determined by the Company’s board of directors. Because there has been no public market for the Company’s ordinary shares and in the absence of recent arm’s-length cash sales transactions of the Company’s ordinary shares with independent third parties, the Company’s board of directors has determined the fair value of the Company’s ordinary shares by considering at the time of grant a number of objective and subjective factors, including the following: the value of tangible and intangible assets of the Company, the present value of anticipated future cash flows of the Company, the market value of stock or equity interests in similar corporations and other entities engaged in businesses substantially similar to those engaged in by the Company, the Company’s current financial condition and anticipated expenses, control discounts for the lack of marketability, the Company’s need for additional capital, current and potential strategic relationships and competitive developments and periodic valuations from an independent third-party valuation firm.

The expected volatility is based on the historical volatilities of the common stock of comparable publicly traded companies. The expected term of options granted represents the weighted average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and the historical exercise patterns. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the average U.S. Treasury yield curve at the end of the quarter in which the option was granted.

 

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The following assumptions were used to value the Company’s stock options:

 

     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24, 2017     February 26, 2016     August 26, 2016     August 28, 2015  
     (unaudited)              

Stock options:

        

Expected term (years)

     6.25       6.25       6.25       6.25  

Expected volatility

     54.41% - 55.75%       49.46% - 51.92%       49.46% - 56.00%       49.51% - 53.28%  

Risk-free interest rate

     1.96% - 2.01%       1.39% - 1.82%       1.36% - 1.82%       1.49% - 1.72%  

Expected dividends

     —         —         —         —    

SGH Plan—Options

A summary of option activity for the SGH Plan is presented below (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Shares     Weighted
average
per share
exercise
price
     Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
term
(years)
     Aggregate
intrinsic
value
 

SGH Plan:

          

Options outstanding at August 29, 2014

     657     $ 10.74        5.01      $ 12,396  

Options granted (1)

     1,825       23.64        

Options exercised

     (5     2.64        

Options forfeited and canceled

     (48     20.82        
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options outstanding at August 28, 2015

     2,429     $ 19.62        5.37      $ 3,548  

Options granted (2)

     925       11.46        

Options exercised

     (43     3.06        

Options forfeited and canceled (3)

     (1,783     23.34        
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options outstanding at August 26, 2016

     1,528     $ 10.80        7.36      $ 2,373  

Options granted

     24       9.03        

Options cancelled

     (77     11.19        
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options outstanding at February 24, 2017

     1,475     $ 10.74        6.77      $ 8,073  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options exercisable at February 24, 2017

     566     $ 8.69        2.97      $ 4,814  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options vested and expected to vest at February 24, 2017

     1,425     $ 10.71        6.68      $ 7,885  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (1) Includes 1,216 shares granted in connection with the Option Exchange.
  (2) Includes 811 shares granted in connection with the Tender Offer.
  (3) Includes 1,653 shares cancelled in connection with the Tender Offer.

The Black-Scholes weighted average fair value of options granted under the SGH Plan during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and fiscal 2016 and 2015 was $4.86, $9.60 and $6.75 per share, respectively. The total intrinsic value of employee stock options exercised in fiscal 2016 and 2015 was approximately $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. As of February 24, 2017, there was approximately $5.5 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options under the SGH Plan, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.41 years. As of August 26, 2016, there was approximately $8.2 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options under the SGH Plan, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.92 years.

 

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In connection with the Escrow Distribution declared on January 1, 2015 (see Note 2), the following transactions occurred: all SGH outstanding options received a strike price reduction of $2.04 per share in order to make an equitable adjustment as required in the SGH Plan due to the extraordinary cash distribution to shareholders resulting from the Escrow Distribution and, to the extent that the strike price reduction would have gone below the strike price floor of $2.64 per share, strike price floor payments aggregating $0.9 million were made in January 2015. The strike price adjustments did not result in any additional share-based compensation expense to the Company since the fair value of the options decreased after the modification.

Memory Plan

A summary of option activity for the Memory Plan is presented below (dollars and shares in thousands except per share data):

 

     Shares     Weighted
average
per share
exercise
price
     Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
term
(years)
     Aggregate
intrinsic
value
 

Memory Plan:

          

Options outstanding at August 29, 2014

     5,644     $ 4.84        5.34      $ 5,048  

Options forfeited and cancelled

     (73     4.27        

Options cancelled in exchange for SGH options

     (5,571   $ 4.84        
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

Options outstanding at February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015

     —       $ —          —        $ —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options exercisable at February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015

     —       $ —          —        $ —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options vested and expected to vest at February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015

     —       $ —          —        $ —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As a result of the Option Exchange on January 2, 2015, all 5,570,580 options outstanding under the Memory Plan were exchanged for 1,216,312 options under the SGH Plan. As a result of the Memory-WWH Merger, the Memory Plan was cancelled on January 2, 2015.

As of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to the Memory Plan.

Storage Plan

In connection with the Escrow Release (as defined in Note 2) additional cash payments aggregating $1.1 million were made in December 2014 to Enterprise, Memory and HRS employees in connection with the options under the Storage Plan that were accelerated and cancelled in connection with the Sale.

On February 12, 2015, the Storage Plan was cancelled as a result of the Storage-Intermediate Merger. As of February 24, 2017, August 26, 2016 and August 28, 2015, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to the Storage Plan.

 

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SGH Plan—Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Awards

A summary of the changes in RSAs and RSUs outstanding is presented below (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Shares     Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
per share
     Aggregate
intrinsic
value
 

SGH Plan:

       

Awards outstanding at August 29, 2014

     —       $ —        $ —    

Awards granted

     6       26.97     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Awards outstanding at August 28, 2015

     6     $ 26.97      $ 63  

Awards vested and paid out

     (2     26.97     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Awards outstanding at August 26, 2016

     4     $ 26.97      $ 40  

Awards granted

     490       7.74     

Awards vested and paid out

     (1     26.97     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Awards outstanding at February 24, 2017

     493     $ 7.87      $ 7,503  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The share-based compensation expense related to RSAs and RSUs during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, and in fiscal 2016 and 2015 was approximately $0.1 million, $24 thousand, $40 thousand and $30 thousand, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015 was approximately $13 thousand, $16 thousand, $16 thousand and $0, respectively.

Equity Rights and Restrictions

The holders of ordinary shares of SMART Global Holdings are entitled to such dividends and other distributions as may be declared by the board of directors of SMART Global Holdings from time-to-time, out of the funds of SMART Global Holdings lawfully available therefor.

All SMART Global Holdings shares owned by employees (Employee Shares) and all shares underlying the SMART Global Holdings options (Option Shares), RSUs (RSU Shares) and Lender Warrants (Warrant Shares; Employee Shares, Option Shares, RSU Shares and Warrant Shares are collectively referred to as Restricted Shares) are subject to either the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement dated August 26, 2011 (the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement) or the Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement dated as of November 5, 2016 (as amended, the Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement; the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement and the Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement are collectively referred to as the Shareholders Agreements). Effective November 5, 2016, the Management Investors Shareholder Agreement was amended to include shares issued pursuant to the Lender Warrants. Under the terms of the Shareholders Agreements, the Restricted Shares cannot be sold or otherwise transferred except under limited circumstances, are subject to lock-up restrictions in the event of an initial public offering, are subject to drag-along obligations whereby a shareholder may be required to sell certain amounts of their shares along with Silver Lake at a price set by Silver Lake, and are subject to call-rights whereby SMART Global Holdings or Silver Lake may have the right to purchase the Restricted Shares at prices subject to certain pre-determined formulas upon termination of employment or services from the Company and only in the event that the Restricted Shares have been issued, vested (if applicable) and outstanding for at least six months. Additionally, all Restricted Shares are subject to an irrevocable proxy granted to Silver Lake to vote or act on behalf of the employee shareholders in connection with any and all matters set forth in the Shareholders Agreements as to which any vote or actions may be requested or required.

Owners of Restricted Shares covered by the Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement, subject to certain exceptions and conditions, are entitled to certain tag-along rights to sell certain amounts of

 

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Restricted Shares along with certain sales by the affiliates of Silver Lake at the same price and on the same other terms as the affiliates of Silver Lake. Additionally, owners of Restricted Shares covered by the Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement, subject to certain exceptions and prior to the completion of an initial public offering of SMART Global Holdings shares, are entitled to participation rights, which enable them to purchase a portion of any issuances of shares of equity securities or debt securities that are convertible or exchangeable into equity securities.

 

(b) Savings and Retirement Program

The Company offers a 401(k) Plan to U.S. employees, which provides for tax-deferred salary deductions for eligible U.S. employees. Employees may contribute up to 60% of their annual eligible compensation to this plan, limited by an annual maximum amount determined by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The Company may also make discretionary matching contributions, which vest immediately, as periodically determined by management. The matching contributions made by the Company during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015 were approximately $0.5 million, $0.4 million, $0.8 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

 

(10) Commitments and Contingencies

 

(a) Commitments

Minimum rent payments under operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease including any periods of free rent. Rent expense for operating leases during the six months ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and in fiscal 2016 and 2015 was $1.4 million, $1.1 million, $2.4 million, and $2.4 million, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments under all leases as of August 26, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Amount  

Fiscal year ended August:

  

2017

   $ 2,481  

2018

     2,343  

2019

     2,205  

2020

     2,122  

2021

     1,946  

Thereafter

     2,926  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 14,023  
  

 

 

 

 

(b) Product Warranty and Indemnities

Product warranty reserves are established in the same period that revenue from the sale of the related products is recognized, or in the period that a specific issue arises as to the functionality of a Company’s product. The amounts of the reserves are based on established terms and the Company’s best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date.

The following table reconciles the changes in the Company’s accrued warranty (in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 
     (unaudited)              

Beginning accrued warranty reserve

   $ 266     $ 290     $ 290     $ 238  

Warranty claims

     (244     (108     (345     (690

Provision for product warranties

     281       134       321       742  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending accrued warranty reserve

   $ 303     $ 316     $ 266     $ 290  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Product warranty reserves are recorded in accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

In addition to potential liability for warranties related to defective products, the Company currently has in effect a number of agreements in which it has agreed to defend, indemnify and hold harmless its customers and suppliers from damages and costs, which may arise from product defects as well as from any alleged infringement by its products of third-party patents, trademarks or other proprietary rights. The Company believes its internal development processes and other policies and practices limit its exposure related to such indemnities. Maximum potential future payments cannot be estimated because many of these agreements do not have a maximum stated liability. However, to date, the Company has not had to reimburse any of its customers or suppliers for any losses related to these indemnities. The Company has not recorded any liability in its financial statements for such indemnities.

 

(c) Legal Matters

From time to time, the Company is involved in legal matters that arise in the normal course of business. Litigation in general and intellectual property, employment and shareholder litigation in particular, can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict. The Company believes that it has defenses to the cases pending, including those set forth below. Except as noted below, the Company is not currently able to estimate, with reasonable certainty, the possible loss, or range of loss, if any, from such legal matters, and accordingly, no provision for any potential loss, which may result from the resolution of these matters, has been recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Indemnification Claims by SanDisk

In connection with the Company’s Sale of the Enterprise business to SanDisk in August 2013, the Sale Agreement contained certain indemnification obligations, including, among others, for losses arising from breaches of representations and warranties relating to the Sale. These indemnification obligations are subject to a number of limitations, including certain deductibles and caps and limited time periods for making indemnification claims. At the closing of the Sale, $30.5 million of the purchase price was placed into a third party escrow to secure certain of the Company’s indemnification obligations. The escrow was due to terminate on August 22, 2014 in the event that SanDisk did not timely submit a claim for indemnification. On August 21, 2014, SanDisk made a claim against the Company under the indemnification provisions of the Sale Agreement in connection with a lawsuit filed by Netlist, Inc. (Netlist) against SanDisk alleging that certain products of the Enterprise business infringe various Netlist patents, which SanDisk in turn alleges would, if true, constitute a breach of representations and warranties under the Sale Agreement. Under the Sale Agreement, the Company’s indemnification obligation in respect of intellectual property matters, such as those claimed by SanDisk, is subject to a deductible of approximately $1.8 million and a cap of $60.9 million. As required in the Sale Agreement, the SanDisk claim purported to include a preliminary good faith estimate of SanDisk’s alleged indemnifiable losses, which estimate was greater than the Sale Agreement cap for intellectual property matters. The Company believes that the allegations giving rise to the indemnification claim are without merit and the Company intends to dispute SanDisk’s claim for indemnification. In addition, there may be other grounds for the Company to dispute the indemnification claim and/or the amounts of any indemnifiable losses of SanDisk. On December 4, 2014, SanDisk and the Company agreed to the Escrow Release and SanDisk and the Company instructed the escrow agent to release the entire escrow balance. On December 5, 2014, the Company received $30.5 million from the Escrow Release. The Escrow Release does not relieve the Company of its indemnification obligations to SanDisk, and SanDisk has not amended or reduced the amount of its indemnification claim.

Netlist

On September 10, 2012, SMART Modular filed a complaint in the Eastern District of California against Netlist alleging infringement of certain claims of SMART Modular’s U.S. Patent No. 8,250,295 (the

 

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Index to Financial Statements

‘295 patent) and seeking, among other things, a preliminary injunction. Netlist filed certain counterclaims alleging, among other things, attempted monopolization, collusion, unfair competition, fraud on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the USPTO) and sham litigation, and asserting that the ‘295 patent is invalid. The counterclaims do not specify the amount of damages. Netlist also filed a request for reexamination of the ‘295 patent in the USPTO. On May 30, 2013, the court denied SMART Modular’s motion for a preliminary injunction and granted a stay in the proceedings pending the outcome of the reexamination. On or about April 29, 2014, the USPTO issued a non-final Action Closing Prosecution (ACP) confirming the patentability of the original claims of SMART Modular’s ‘295 patent and rejecting certain claims added during the reexamination process. On May 29, 2014, after the ACP, SMART Modular filed comments requesting that all of the original claims and certain of the added claims be confirmed as patentable. On June 30, 2014, Netlist filed comments challenging SMART Modular’s comments to the ACP. On August 4, 2015, the USPTO rejected Netlist’s challenges and affirmed its previous decision confirming the patentability of the original claims of SMART Modular’s ‘295 patent. On September 4, 2015, Netlist filed an appeal of the USPTO examiner’s decision to the Patent Trial and Appeals Board (the PTAB). On February 25, 2016, the USPTO ruled in favor of SMART and on September 21, 2016, the court granted SMART’s motion to lift the stay in the Eastern District of California case. On November 14, 2016, the PTAB reversed the examiner’s decision to confirm certain claims of SMART Modular’s ‘295 patent and reversed the examiner’s decision to determine that certain newly added claims are patentable. On February 22, 2017, Netlist filed a motion to reinstate the stay in the court proceedings pending the outcome of the USPTO proceedings. SMART Modular filed an opposition to this motion, which is pending. SMART Modular is evaluating the next course of action with respect to the proceedings in the USPTO and the Eastern District of California.

On July 1, 2013, Netlist filed a lawsuit in the Central District of California against SMART Modular alleging claims very similar to Netlist’s counterclaims set forth in the Eastern District case. Netlist later amended its complaint to add additional parties, including SMART Worldwide. Netlist has sought compensatory damages for the harm it claims to have suffered, as well as an award of treble damages and attorneys’ fees. The claims against SMART Modular and SMART Worldwide were transferred to the Eastern District of California.

The Company believes that there are valid defenses to all of the claims and counterclaims made by Netlist and that the claims are without merit. SMART Modular and SMART Worldwide intends to vigorously fight the claims and counterclaims. The Company believes that the likelihood of any material charge resulting from these claims is remote.

 

(d) Contingencies

Import Duty Tax assessment in Brazil

On February 23, 2012, SMART Brazil was served with a notice of a tax assessment for approximately R$117 million (or $37.4 million) (the First Assessment). The assessment was from the federal tax authorities of Brazil and related to four taxes in connection with importation processes. The tax authorities claimed that SMART Brazil categorized its imports of unmounted integrated circuits in the format of wafers under an incorrect product classification code, which carries an import duty of 0%. The authorities alleged that a different classification code should have been used that would require an 8% import duty and the authorities were seeking to recover these duties, as well as other related taxes, for the five calendar years of 2007 through and including 2011. Subsequent to the initial assessment, SMART Brazil received a second notice of an additional administrative penalty of approximately R$6.0 million (or $1.9 million) directly related to the same issue and which has been imposed exclusively for the alleged usage of an inappropriate import tax code (the Second Assessment).

The Company believes that SMART Brazil used the correct product code on its imports and that none of the above assessments are due. In March 2012, SMART Brazil filed defenses to the First Assessment and the Second Assessment. On May 2, 2013, the first level administrative tax court issued a ruling in favor of

 

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Index to Financial Statements

the tax assessor and against SMART Brazil on the First Assessment. On May 31, 2013, SMART Brazil filed an appeal to the second level tax court known as CARF. The appeal was heard on November 26, 2013 and the Company received a unanimous favorable ruling rejecting the position of the tax authorities. This ruling was published by the tax authorities and made official in February 2014. Subsequently, the tax authorities filed a request for clarification and on September 17, 2014, the Company received a unanimous ruling rejecting the request from the tax authorities for clarification. On November 7, 2014, the tax authorities notified CARF that they would not be appealing the CARF decision, and the First Assessment has been extinguished. SMART Brazil has not received a decision from the first level administrative court with respect to the Second Assessment.

On December 12, 2013, SMART Brazil received another notice of assessment in the amount of R$3.6 million (or $1.2 million) with respect to the same import-related tax issues and penalties discussed above for 2012 and 2013 (the Third Assessment). The Third Assessment does not seek import duties and related taxes on DRAM products and only seeks import duties and related taxes on Flash unmounted components with respect to the months of January 2012 to June 2012. This is because SMART Brazil’s imports of DRAM unmounted components were subject to 0%, and, after June 2012, SMART Brazil’s imports of Flash unmounted components became subject to 0%, import duties and related taxes, both as a result of PADIS. Even with this 0%, if SMART Brazil is found to have used the incorrect product classification code, SMART Brazil will be subject to an administrative penalty equal to 1% of the value of the imports. SMART Brazil has filed defenses to the Third Assessment. The Company believes that SMART Brazil used the correct product code on its imports and that the Third Assessment is incorrect. SMART Brazil intends to vigorously fight this matter. Although SMART Brazil did not receive the Third Assessment until December 12, 2013, the Third Assessment was issued before the CARF decision in favor of SMART Brazil on the First Assessment as discussed above was published.

The amounts claimed by the tax authorities on the Second Assessment and on the Third Assessment are subject to increases for interest and other charges, which resulted in a combined assessment balance of approximately R$14.0 million (or $4.5 million) and R$13.3 million (or $4.1 million) as of February 24, 2017 and August 26, 2016, respectively.

As a result of the CARF decision in favor of SMART Brazil on the First Assessment, the Company believes that the probability of any material charges as a result of the Second Assessment and the Third Assessment is remote and the Company does not expect the resolution of these disputed assessments to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. While the Company believes that the Second Assessment and the Third Assessment are incorrect, there can be no assurance that SMART Brazil will prevail in the disputes.

 

(11) Segment and Geographic Information

The Company operates in one reportable segment: the design, manufacture and sale of specialty memory solutions and services to the electronics industry. The Company’s chief operating decision-maker, the President and CEO, evaluates financial performance on a company-wide basis.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

A summary of the Company’s net sales by geographic area, based on the ship-to location of the customer, and property and equipment by geographic area is as follows (in thousands):

 

    Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
    February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 
    (unaudited)              

Geographic Net Sales:

       

U.S.

  $ 69,616     $ 50,956     $ 104,788     $ 124,560  

Brazil

    154,262       99,236       245,503       336,442  

Asia

    82,969       68,667       141,811       137,769  

Europe

    14,979       11,853       24,502       26,238  

Other Americas

    9,472       7,901       17,819       18,460  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 331,298     $ 238,613     $ 534,423     $ 643,469  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     February 24,
2017
     August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 
     (unaudited)                

Property and Equipment, Net:

        

U.S.

   $ 2,835      $ 2,908      $ 3,618  

Brazil

     42,698        44,339        45,121  

Malaysia

     5,754        6,722        7,376  

Other

     2,615        3,631        4,196  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 53,902      $ 57,600      $ 60,311  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(12) Major Customers

A majority of the Company’s net sales are attributable to customers operating in the information technology industry. Net sales to significant end user customers, including sales to their manufacturing subcontractors, defined as net sales in excess of 10% of total net sales, are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended  
     February 24, 2017     February 26, 2016  
     Amount      Percentage
of net sales
    Amount      Percentage
of net sales
 
     (unaudited)  

Customer A

   $ 59,461        18   $ 36,263        15

Customer B

     49,975        15     48,614        20
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 109,436        33   $ 84,877        35
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     August 26, 2016     August 28, 2015  
     Amount      Percentage
of net sales
    Amount      Percentage
of net sales
 
     (unaudited)  

Customer A

   $ 70,670        13   $ 69,773        11

Customer B

     100,529        19     101,127        16

Customer C

     71,063        13     —          —    

Customer D

     —          —         92,586        14

Customer E

     —          —         95,962        15
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 242,262        45   $ 359,448        56
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Index to Financial Statements

As of February 24, 2017, three direct customers that represented less than 10% of net sales, Customers F, H and I, accounted for approximately 28%, 16% and 13% of accounts receivable, respectively. As of August 26, 2016, direct customer Customer F accounted for approximately 28% of accounts receivable. As of August 28, 2015, direct customers Customer F and Customer D accounted for approximately 48% and 14% of accounts receivable, respectively.

 

(13) Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per ordinary share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per ordinary share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average of ordinary shares and dilutive potential ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential ordinary shares consist of dilutive shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and vesting of RSUs computed using the treasury stock method. The dilutive weighted shares are excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share when a net loss is recorded for the period as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

The following table sets forth for all periods presented the computation of basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share, including the reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    August 26,
2016
    August 28,
2015
 
     (unaudited)              

Numerator:

        

Net loss

   $ (5,544   $ (17,154   $ (19,960   $ (46,451

Denominator:

        

Weighted average ordinary shares, basic

     13,870       13,834       13,841       13,833  

Weighted average ordinary shares equivalent from stock options and awards

     —         —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding, diluted

     13,870       13,834       13,841       13,833  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per share

   $ (0.40   $ (1.24   $ (1.44   $ (3.36
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Anti-dilutive weighted shares excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share

     2,139       2,319       2,084       1,141  

 

(14) Other Income (Expense), Net

The following table provides the detail of other income (expense), net as follows (in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
     February 24,
2017
    February 26,
2016
    August 26,
2016
     August 28,
2015
 
     (unaudited)               

Foreign currency gains (losses)

   $ 262     $ (1,552   $ 1,101      $ (10,747

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     (1,386     —         —          —    

Transition services agreement income*

     —         —         —          4,341  

Other

     222       180       773        874  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

   $ (902   $ (1,372   $ 1,874      $ (5,532
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Agreement entered into with SanDisk (see Note 1(w)).

 

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Index to Financial Statements

5,300,000 Shares

LOGO

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

Ordinary Shares

 

 

Prospectus

                    , 2017

 

Barclays

 

Deutsche Bank Securities

 

Jefferies

 

Stifel

 

 

Needham & Company

 

Roth Capital Partners


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution .

 

     Amount
To Be Paid
 

Registration fee

   $ 10,596  

FINRA filing fee

     14,214  

NASDAQ listing fee

     125,000  

Transfer agent’s fees

     5,600  

Printing and engraving expenses

     325,000  

Legal fees and expenses

     1,200,000  

Accounting fees and expenses

     500,000  

Miscellaneous

     200,000  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,380,410  
  

 

 

 

Each of the amounts set forth above, other than the Registration fee and the FINRA filing fee, is an estimate.

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers .

As we are a Cayman Islands exempted company, the laws of the Cayman Islands will be relevant to the provisions relating to indemnification of our directors and officers. Although the Companies Law does not specifically restrict a Cayman Islands exempted company’s ability to indemnify its directors or officers, it does not expressly provide for such indemnification either. Certain Commonwealth case law (which is likely to be persuasive in the Cayman Islands), however, indicates that the indemnification is generally permissible, unless there had been actual fraud, willful default or reckless disregard on the part of the director or officer in question.

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that each of our directors, agents or officers shall be indemnified out of our assets against any liability incurred by him as a result of any act or failure to act in carrying out his functions other than such liability, if any, that he may incur by his own willful neglect or default. No such director, agent or officer shall be liable to us for any loss or damage in carrying out his functions unless that liability arises through the willful neglect or default of such director, agent or officer.

We have also entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers under which we have agreed to indemnify each such person and hold him harmless against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts payable under settlement agreements in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding to which he has been made a party or in which he became involved by reason of the fact that he is or was our director or officer. Except with respect to expenses to be reimbursed by us in the event that the indemnified person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of the action, suit or proceeding, our obligations under the indemnification agreements are subject to certain customary restrictions and exceptions. The indemnification agreements are governed under Cayman Islands law or New York law.

In addition, we maintain standard policies of insurance under which coverage is provided to our directors and officers against loss rising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act, and to us with respect to payments which may be made by us to such directors and officers pursuant to the above indemnification provision or otherwise as a matter of law.

The proposed form of Underwriting Agreement, to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration Statement, provides for indemnification of directors and officers of the Registrant by the underwriters against certain liabilities.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

Since three years before the date of the initial filing of this Registration Statement, the Registrant has sold the following securities without registration under the Securities Act, giving effect to a 1-for-3 reverse share split of our share capital that was effected on May 5, 2017:

 

  (1) the Registrant has granted a total of 3,251,049 options to purchase ordinary shares to certain employees under the SGH Plan, which includes 811,277 options that were issued in exchange for 1,652,575 options that were cancelled in the Tender Offer on May 23, 2016, and also includes 1,216,312 options that were issued in exchange for 5,570,580 options that were cancelled in the Option Exchange on January 2, 2015 in connection with the termination of an employee option plan of one of our former subsidiaries;

 

  (2) the Registrant has granted a total of 496,304 RSUs to certain employees and directors under the SGH Plan;

 

  (3) the Registrant has issued a total of 193,937 ordinary shares pursuant to exercises of options and 2,989 ordinary shares pursuant to the vesting of RSUs which were previously granted under its SGH Plan; and

 

  (4) in November 2016, the Registrant issued Lender Warrants to purchase 3,467,571 of our ordinary shares to the Warrant Holders in connection with the amendment and restatement of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, which are exercisable at $0.03 per share.

The option and RSU grants and the share and warrant issuances described above were effected without registration in reliance on (1) the exemptions afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, because the sales did not involve any public offering, (2) Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act for shares that were sold under a written compensatory benefit plan or contract for the participation of employees, directors, officers, consultants and advisors of the Registrant and (3) Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act relating to offerings of securities outside of the United States.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a) The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

    1.1+    Form of Underwriting Agreement
    2.1+    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 26, 2011, among Saleen Holdings, Inc., Saleen Acquisition, Inc. and SMART Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc.
    3.1    Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of SMART Global Holdings, Inc., to be in effect upon completion of this offering
    4.1    [Reserved]
    4.2+    Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, by and among SMART Global Holdings, Inc., Silver Lake Partners III Cayman (AIV III), L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors III Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors Sumeru Cayman, L.P., Mr. Ajay B. Shah, Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, L.P., Fund No. 1, Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, L.P., Fund No. 3, Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, L.P., Fund No. 4, The Ajay B. Shah and Lata K. Shah 1996 Trust u/a/d 5/28/1996, Mr. Mukesh A. Patel, Patel Family Partners, LP – Fund No. 2, The Patel Revocable Trust u/a/d 6/6/2002, the Management Holders and the Warrant Holders
    4.3    Form of Amended and Restated Sponsor Shareholders Agreement, to be in effect upon completion of this offering
    4.4+    Saleen Holdings, Inc. Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, by and among Saleen Holdings, Inc., Silver Lake Partners III Cayman (AIV III), L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors III Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors Sumeru Cayman, L.P. and the Employee Investors.
    4.5    Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, by and among SMART Global Holdings, Inc., Silver Lake Partners III Cayman (AIV III), L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors III Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors Sumeru Cayman, L.P., the Management Investors and the Warrant Investors and Form of Amendment No. 2 to Investors Shareholders Agreement, by and among SMART Global Holdings, Inc., Silver Lake Partners III Cayman (AIV III), L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors III Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund Cayman, L.P. and Silver Lake Technology Investors Sumeru Cayman, L.P., the Management Investors and the Warrant Investors
    4.6+    Form of Warrant to Purchase Ordinary Shares and Form of Amended and Restated Warrant to Purchase Ordinary Shares (with respect to the Second Tranche Warrants)
    5.1    Opinion of Maples and Calder
    8.1+    Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
  10.1†+    Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into with each of the Registrant’s officers and directors
  10.2†+    SMART Global Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Share Incentive Plan, and forms of award agreements thereunder
  10.3†+    Employment Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2012, among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., Saleen Holdings, Inc. and Iain MacKenzie
  10.4†+    Employment Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2011, between SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. and Jack Pacheco
  10.5†+    Severance and Change of Control Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2010, between SMART Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc. and Alan Marten
  10.6†+    Severance and Change of Control Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2010, between SMART Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc. and Bruce Goldberg
  10.7†+    Severance and Change of Control Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2010, between SMART Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc. and KiWan Kim
  10.8    Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the Lender Parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  10.9+    Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
  10.10+    First Refinancing Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2014, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the new revolving lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
  10.11+    Master Guarantee Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors identified therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent
  10.12+    Collateral Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the other grantors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent
  10.13+    Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2014, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent
  10.14+    Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2015, among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., the revolving lenders party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent
  10.15    Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., the lenders party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent
  10.16    Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent
  10.17+    Lease Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2009, between Newark Eureka Industrial Capital LLC and SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.
  10.18+    First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of April 29, 2014, between Newark Eureka Industrial Capital LLC and SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.
  10.19+    Amended and Restated Transaction and Management Fee Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., Silver Lake Management Company III, L.L.C. and Silver Lake Management Company Sumeru, L.L.C.
  10.20    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2013, among SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc., SanDisk Corporation, SanDisk Manufacturing and solely for the purposes of Section 5.7(c), Section 5.8, Article VIII and Article IX, Saleen Holdings, Inc., Saleen Intermediate Holdings, Inc. and SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
  10.21+    Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2012, among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Europe) Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as amended
  10.22+    First Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2013, among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Europe) Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and confirmed by SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.
  10.23    SMART Global Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan, to be in effect upon completion of this offering
  10.24    Form of Termination Letter Re: Amended and Restated Transaction and Management Fee Agreement, by and among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., Silver Lake Management Company III, L.L.C. and Silver Lake Management Company Sumeru, L.L.C.
  21.1+    Subsidiaries of the Registrant
  23.1    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  23.2    Consent of Maples and Calder (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  24.1+    Power of Attorney (included on page II-7 of the original filing of this Registration Statement)

 

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Index to Financial Statements

 

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
+ Previously filed.

(b) No financial statement schedules are provided because the information called for is not required or is shown either in the financial statements or the notes thereto.

Item 17. Undertakings

The undersigned hereby undertakes:

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

(b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions referenced in Item 14 of this Registration Statement, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered hereunder, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(d) Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

(e) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such

 

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Index to Financial Statements

purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(1) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(2) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(3) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(4) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Newark, State of California, on the 22nd day of May, 2017.

 

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

By:

 

 /s/ Iain MacKenzie

 

Name:

 

    Iain MacKenzie

 

Title:

 

    President & Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Iain MacKenzie

Iain MacKenzie

  

President &

Chief Executive Officer

( Principal Executive Officer )

  May 22, 2017

/s/ Jack Pacheco

Jack Pacheco

  

Senior Vice President,

Chief Operating Officer &

Chief Financial Officer

( Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  May 22, 2017

*

Ajay Shah

  

Director

  May 22, 2017

*

James Davidson

  

Director

  May 22, 2017

*

Kenneth Hao

  

Director

  May 22, 2017

*

Paul Mercadante

  

Director

  May 22, 2017

*

Jason White

  

Director

  May 22, 2017

*

Mukesh Patel

  

Director

  May 22, 2017

*

Sandeep Nayyar

  

Director

  May 22, 2017

* By:

 

/s/ Iain MacKenzie

Iain MacKenzie

Attorney-in-Fact

 

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Index to Financial Statements

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

    

Description

    1.1+      Form of Underwriting Agreement
    2.1+      Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 26, 2011, among Saleen Holdings, Inc., Saleen Acquisition, Inc. and SMART Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc.
    3.1      Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of SMART Global Holdings, Inc., to be in effect upon completion of this offering
    4.1      [Reserved]
    4.2+      Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, by and among SMART Global Holdings, Inc., Silver Lake Partners III Cayman (AIV III), L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors III Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors Sumeru Cayman, L.P., Mr. Ajay B. Shah, Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, L.P., Fund No. 1, Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, L.P., Fund No. 3, Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, L.P., Fund No. 4, The Ajay B. Shah and Lata K. Shah 1996 Trust u/a/d 5/28/1996, Mr. Mukesh A. Patel, Patel Family Partners, LP – Fund No. 2, The Patel Revocable Trust u/a/d 6/6/2002, the Management Holders and the Warrant Holders
    4.3      Form of Amended and Restated Sponsor Shareholders Agreement, to be in effect upon completion of this offering
    4.4+      Saleen Holdings, Inc. Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, by and among Saleen Holdings, Inc., Silver Lake Partners III Cayman (AIV III), L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors III Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors Sumeru Cayman, L.P. and the Employee Investors.
    4.5      Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, by and among SMART Global Holdings, Inc., Silver Lake Partners III Cayman (AIV III), L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors III Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors Sumeru Cayman, L.P., the Management Investors and the Warrant Investors and Form of Amendment No. 2 to Investors Shareholders Agreement, by and among SMART Global Holdings, Inc., Silver Lake Partners III Cayman (AIV III), L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors III Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund Cayman, L.P. and Silver Lake Technology Investors Sumeru Cayman, L.P., the Management Investors and the Warrant Investors
    4.6+      Form of Warrant to Purchase Ordinary Shares and Form of Amended and Restated Warrant to Purchase Ordinary Shares (with respect to the Second Tranche Warrants)
    5.1      Opinion of Maples and Calder
    8.1+      Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
  10.1†+      Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into with each of the Registrant’s officers and directors
  10.2†+      SMART Global Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Share Incentive Plan, and forms of award agreements thereunder
  10.3†+      Employment Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2012, among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., Saleen Holdings, Inc. and Iain MacKenzie
  10.4†+      Employment Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2011, between SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. and Jack Pacheco
  10.5†+      Severance and Change of Control Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2010, between SMART Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc. and Alan Marten
  10.6†+      Severance and Change of Control Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2010, between SMART Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc. and Bruce Goldberg
  10.7†+      Severance and Change of Control Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2010, between SMART Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc. and KiWan Kim


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Exhibit
Number

    

Description

  10.8      Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the Lender Parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
  10.9+      Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
  10.10+      First Refinancing Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2014, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the new revolving lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
  10.11+      Master Guarantee Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors identified therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent
  10.12+      Collateral Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the other grantors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent
  10.13+      Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2014, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent
  10.14+      Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2015, among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., the revolving lenders party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent
  10.15      Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., the lenders party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent
  10.16      Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent
  10.17+      Lease Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2009, between Newark Eureka Industrial Capital LLC and SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.
  10.18+      First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of April 29, 2014, between Newark Eureka Industrial Capital LLC and SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.
  10.19+      Amended and Restated Transaction and Management Fee Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., Silver Lake Management Company III, L.L.C. and Silver Lake Management Company Sumeru, L.L.C.
  10.20      Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2013, among SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc., SanDisk Corporation, SanDisk Manufacturing and solely for the purposes of Section 5.7(c), Section 5.8, Article VIII and Article IX, Saleen Holdings, Inc., Saleen Intermediate Holdings, Inc. and SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
  10.21+      Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2012, among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Europe) Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as amended
  10.22+      First Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2013, among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Europe) Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and confirmed by SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

10.23    SMART Global Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan, to be in effect upon completion of this offering
10.24    Form of Termination Letter Re: Amended and Restated Transaction and Management Fee Agreement, by and among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., Silver Lake Management Company III, L.L.C. and Silver Lake Management Company Sumeru, L.L.C.
21.1+    Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23.1    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2    Consent of Maples and Calder (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1+    Power of Attorney (included on page II-7 of the original filing of this Registration Statement)

 

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
+ Previously filed.

Exhibit 3.1

THE COMPANIES LAW (2016 REVISION)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

AMENDED AND RESTATED

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

Adopted by Special Resolution passed on 18 May 2017

 

1


THE COMPANIES LAW (2016 REVISION)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

AMENDED AND RESTATED

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

Adopted by Special Resolution passed on 18 May 2017

 

1 The name of the Company is SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

 

2 The Registered Office of the Company shall be at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited, P.O. Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands, or at such other place as the Directors may from time to time decide.

 

3 The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Law (2016 Revision) or as the same may be revised from time to time, or any other law of the Cayman Islands.

 

4 The liability of each Member is limited to the amount from time to time unpaid on such Member’s shares.

 

5 The authorised share capital of the Company is US$6,900,000 divided into 200,000,000 Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.03 each and 30,000,000 Preferred Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.03 each with the power for the Company.

 

6 The Company has the power to register by way of continuation as a body corporate limited by shares under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands and to be deregistered in the Cayman Islands.

 

7 Capitalized terms that are not defined in this Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association bear the same meaning as those given in the Amended and Restated Articles of Association of the Company.

 

2


THE COMPANIES LAW (2016 REVISION)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

AMENDED AND RESTATED

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

Adopted by Special Resolution passed on 18 May 2017

 

1 INTERPRETATION

 

1.1 In these Articles, unless otherwise defined, the defined terms shall have the meanings assigned to them as follows:

 

“Articles”    means the Amended and Restated Articles of Association of the Company, as from time to time altered or added to in accordance with the Statute and these Articles.
“Business Day”    means a day, excluding Saturdays or Sundays, on which banks in New York, U.S.A. are open for general banking business throughout their normal business hours.
“Commission”    means Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America or any other federal agency for the time being administering the Securities Act.
“Company”    means SMART Global Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands company limited by shares.
“Company’s Website”    means the website of the Company, the address or domain name of which has been notified to Members.
“Designated Stock Exchange”    means the Nasdaq Global Market or any other stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Company’s securities are then traded.
“Directors”  and  “Board of Directors”  and  “Board”    means the directors of the Company for the time being, or as the case may be, the Directors assembled as a Board or as a committee thereof.

 

3


“electronic”    means the meaning given to it in the Electronic Transactions Law (2003 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and any amendment thereto or re-enactments thereof for the time being in force and includes every other law incorporated therewith or substituted therefore.
“electronic communication”    means electronic transmission to any number, address or internet website or other electronic delivery methods as otherwise decided and approved by not less than a majority vote of the Board.
“electronic record”    means the meaning given to it in the Electronic Transactions Law (2003 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and any amendment thereto or re-enactments thereof for the time being in force and includes every other law incorporated therewith or substituted therefore.
“Exchange Act”    means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“in writing”    includes writing, printing, lithograph, photograph, type-writing and every other mode of representing words or figures in a legible and non-transitory form and, only where used in connection with a notice served by the Company on Members or other persons entitled to receive notices hereunder, shall also include a record maintained in an electronic medium which is accessible in visible form so as to be useable for subsequent reference.
Market Price    means for any given day, the price quoted in respect of the Ordinary Shares on the Designated Stock Exchange of the close of trading on the previous trading day.
“Member”    means a person whose name is entered in the Register of Members as the holder of a share or shares.
“Memorandum of Association”    means the Memorandum of Association of the Company, as amended and restated from time to time.
“month”    means the calendar month.

 

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“Ordinary Resolution”    means a resolution passed by (i) a simple majority of votes cast by such Members as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, in the case of any Member being an organization, by its duly authorised representative or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of the Company, (ii) so long as the Sponsor Investors collectively own at least 40% of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares, then, without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, a written consent signed by Members having shares not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all of the Company’s outstanding shares were present and voted, or (iii) at any time when the Sponsor Investors collectively own less than 40% of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares, then unanimous written consent.
“Ordinary Shares”    means an Ordinary Share in the capital of the Company of US$0.03 nominal or par value designated as Ordinary Shares, and having the rights provided for in these Articles.
“Preferred Shares”    means shares in the capital of the Company of US$0.03 nominal or par value designated as Preferred Shares, and having the rights provided for in these Articles.
“Register of Members”    means the register maintained by the Company in accordance with section 40 of the Statute or any modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force.
“Seal”    means the common seal of the Company including any facsimile thereof.
“Securities Act”    means the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States of America, as amended, or any successor federal statute and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.
“share”    means any share in the capital of the Company, including the Ordinary Shares and shares of other classes.
“signed”    means includes a signature or representation of a signature affixed by mechanical means or an electronic symbol or process attached to or logically associated with an electronic communication and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic communication.
“Special Resolution”    means a resolution shall be a special resolution when it has been passed by (i) not less than 75% of votes cast by such Members as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, in the case of such Members as are corporations, by their duly authorised representative or, whether proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of which not less than fourteen (14) days’ (nor more than sixty (60) days’) notice, specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution, has been duly given, or (ii) a unanimous written consent.

 

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“Sponsor Director”    means a Director appointed as such in accordance with provisions of the Sponsor Shareholders Agreement.
“Sponsor Investors”    has the meaning given in the Sponsor Shareholders Agreement.
“Sponsor Shareholders Agreement”    means the Amended and Restated Sponsor Shareholders Agreement to be dated on or about the date of adoption of these Articles, by and among the Company, the Sponsor Investors party thereto and the other signatories thereto, as it may be amended from time to time.
“Statute”    means the Companies Law (2016 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and any statutory amendment or re-enactment thereof. Where any provision of the Statute is referred to, the reference is to that provision as amended by any law for the time being in force.
“year”    means the calendar year.

 

1.2 In these Articles, save where the context requires otherwise:

 

  (a) words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa;

 

  (b) words importing the masculine gender only shall include the feminine gender;

 

  (c) words importing persons only shall include companies or associations or bodies of persons, whether corporate or not;

 

  (d) “may” shall be construed as permissive and “shall” shall be construed as imperative;

 

  (e) a reference to a dollar or dollars (or $) is a reference to dollars of the United States of America;

 

  (f) references to a statutory enactment shall include reference to any amendment or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force;

 

  (g) any phrase introduced by the terms “including”, “include”, “in particular” or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words preceding those terms;

 

  (h) Section 8 and 19(3) of the Electronic Transactions Law (2003 Revision) shall not apply;

 

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  (i) “written” and “in writing” include all modes of representing or reproducing words in visible form, including in the form of an electronic record and any requirements as to delivery under the Articles include delivery in the form of an electronic record;

 

  (j) any requirements as to execution or signature under the Articles including the execution of the Articles themselves can be satisfied in the form of an electronic signature as defined in the Electronic Transactions Law (2003 Revision);

 

  (k) the term “clear days” in relation to the period of a notice means that period excluding the day when the notice is received or deemed to be received and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect; and

 

  (l) the term “holder” in relation to a share means a person whose name is entered in the Register of Members as the holder of such share.

 

1.3 Subject to the last two preceding Articles, any words defined in the Statute shall, if not inconsistent with the subject or context, bear the same meaning in these Articles.

 

2 PRELIMINARY

 

2.1 The business of the Company may be commenced as soon after incorporation as the Directors see fit, notwithstanding that only part of the shares may have been allotted or issued.

 

2.2 The registered office of the Company shall be at such address in the Cayman Islands as the Directors shall from time to time determine. The Company may in addition establish and maintain such other offices and places of business and agencies in such places as the Directors may from time to time determine.

 

3 SHARE CAPITAL

 

3.1 The authorised share capital of the Company at the date of adoption of these Articles is US$6,900,000 divided into 200,000,000 Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.03 each and 30,000,000 Preferred Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.03 each, with power for the Company insofar as is permitted by law, to increase or reduce the said capital subject to the provisions of the Statute and these Articles and to issue any part of its capital, whether original or increased with or without any preference, priority or special privilege or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly declare, every issue of shares whether declared to be preferred or otherwise shall be subject to the powers hereinbefore contained.

 

4 ISSUE OF SHARES

 

4.1

Subject to the provisions, if any, in the Articles, the Memorandum of Association and applicable law, including the Statute, the Directors may, in their absolute discretion and without approval of the holders of Ordinary Shares, cause the Company to issue such amounts of Ordinary Shares and/or Preferred Shares or similar securities in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in such series, to grant rights over existing shares as they deem necessary and appropriate and to determine designations, powers, preferences, privileges

 

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and other rights, including dividend rights, conversion rights, terms of liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the powers and rights associated with the Ordinary Shares, at such times and on such other terms as they think proper. The Company shall not issue shares in bearer form and shall only issue shares as fully paid. The authority of the Directors with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:

 

  (a) The number of shares constituting that series and the distinctive designation of that series;

 

  (b) The dividend rate on the shares of that series, whether dividends shall be cumulative and, if so, from which date or dates, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of that series;

 

  (c) whether that series shall have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law and, if so, the terms of such voting rights;

 

  (d) whether that series shall have conversion privileges and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion, including provision for adjustment of the conversion rate in such events as the Directors shall determine; and

 

  (e) the rights of the shares of that series in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, and the rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of that series relative to other series of shares.

 

5 REGISTER OF MEMBERS AND SHARE CERTIFICATES

 

5.1 The Company shall maintain a Register of its Members. Every person whose name is entered as a Member in the Register of Members and whose shares are to be held in certificated form shall, upon request and without payment, be entitled to a certificate within two months after allotment or lodgement of transfer (or within such other period as the conditions of issue shall provide) in the form determined by the Directors. All certificates shall specify the share or shares held by that person and the amount paid up thereon, provided that in respect of a share or shares held jointly by several persons the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate, and delivery of a certificate for a share to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all. All certificates for shares shall be delivered personally or sent through the post addressed to the member entitled thereto at the Member’s registered address as appearing in the register. Absent instructions to the contrary from the Company, such member’s shares will be held in uncertificated, book entry form.

 

5.2 Every share certificate of the Company shall bear any legends required under applicable laws, including the Securities Act.

 

5.3 Any two or more certificates representing shares of any one class held by any Member may at the Member’s request be cancelled and a single new certificate for such shares issued in lieu on payment (if the Directors shall so require) of US$1.00 or such smaller sum as the Directors shall determine.

 

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5.4 If a share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, a new certificate representing the same shares may be issued to the relevant Member upon request subject to delivery up of the old certificate or (if alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed) compliance with such conditions as to evidence and indemnity and the payment of out-of-pocket expenses of the Company in connection with the request as the Directors may think fit.

 

5.5 In the event that shares are held jointly by several persons, any request may be made by any one of the joint holders and if so made shall be binding on all of the joint holders.

 

6 TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

6.1 Subject to these Articles and the rules or regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange or any relevant securities laws (including, but not limited to U.S. securities law provisions related to insider trading), any Member may transfer all or any of his shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or in a form prescribed by the Designated Stock Exchange or in any other form approved by the Board and may be under hand or, if the transferor or transferee is a clearing house or its nominee(s), by hand or by machine imprinted signature or by such other manner of execution as the Board may approve from time to time.

 

6.2 The instrument of transfer shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor. Without prejudice to the last preceding Article, the Board may also resolve, either generally or in any particular case, upon request by the transferor or transferee to accept mechanically executed transfers. The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of the share until the name of the transferee in entered into the Register in respect thereof.

 

6.3 The Directors may, in their absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of Shares, subject to any applicable requirements imposed from time to time by the Commission and the Designated Stock Exchange.

 

6.4 The Board in so far as permitted by any applicable law and rules of the Designated Stock Exchange may, in its absolute discretion, at any time and from time to time transfer any share upon the Register to any branch register or any share on any branch register to the Register or any other branch register. In the event of any such transfer, the shareholder requesting such transfer shall bear the cost of effecting such transfer unless the Board otherwise determines.

 

6.5 Unless the Board otherwise agrees (which agreement may be on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Board in its absolute discretion may from time to time determine, and which agreement the Board shall, without giving any reason therefore, be entitled in its absolute discretion to give or withhold), no shares upon the Register shall be transferred to any branch register nor shall shares on any branch register be transferred to the Register or any other branch register and all transfers and other documents of title shall be lodged for registration, and registered, in the case of any shares on a branch register, at the relevant Registration Office, and, in the case of any shares on the Register, at the Office or such other place at which the Register is kept in accordance with the Statute.

 

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6.6 Without limiting the generality of the last preceding Article, the Board may decline to recognise any instrument of transfer unless:

 

  (a) a fee of such maximum sum as the Board may from time to time require is paid to the Company in respect thereof;

 

  (b) the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of share;

 

  (c) the instrument of transfer is lodged at the Office or such other place as the Register is kept in accordance with the Statute accompanied by the relevant share certificate(s) or such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer (and, if the instrument of transfer is executed by some other person on his behalf, the authority of that person so to do); and

 

  (d) the instrument of transfer is duly and properly signed.

 

6.7 If the Board refuses to register a transfer of any share, it shall, within two months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of the refusal.

 

6.8 The registration of transfers may be suspended at such time and for such periods as the Directors may from time to time determine, provided always that such registration shall not be suspended for more than forty five (45) days in any year.

 

7 REDEMPTION AND PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES

 

7.1 No shares are entitled to any sinking fund or preemptive or redemption rights.

 

8 VARIATION OF RIGHTS ATTACHING TO SHARES

 

8.1 Subject to the Statute and the Articles, all or any of the special rights attached to shares of any class (unless otherwise provided for by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may be varied, modified or abrogated with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class at which a quorum is present.

 

8.2 The provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings shall apply to every such general meeting of the holders of one class of shares except that the necessary quorum shall be at least one person holding or representing by proxy at least one-third of the par value of the issued shares of the class. Every holder of Shares of the class shall be entitled on a poll to one vote for every such Share held by such holder and any holder of Shares of that class present in person or by proxy may demand a poll.

 

8.3 The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking in priority to or pari passu therewith.

 

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9 COMMISSION ON SALE OF SHARES

 

9.1 The Company may in so far as the Statute from time to time permits pay a commission to any person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe whether absolutely or conditionally for any shares of the Company. Such commissions may be satisfied by the payment of cash or the lodgement of fully or partly paid-up shares or partly in one way and partly in the other. The Company may also on any issue of shares pay such brokerage as may be lawful.

 

10 NON-RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS

 

10.1 No person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any share upon any trust and the Company shall not be bound by or be compelled in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future, or partial interest in any share, or any interest in any fractional part of a share, or (except only as is otherwise provided by these Articles or the Statute) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the registered holder.

 

11 REGISTRATION OF EMPOWERING INSTRUMENTS

 

11.1 The Company shall be entitled to charge a fee not exceeding one dollar (US$1.00) on the registration of every probate, letters of administration, certificate of death or marriage, power of attorney, or other instrument.

 

12 TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

12.1 If a Member dies the survivor or survivors (where he was a joint holder) or his legal personal representatives (where he was a sole holder), shall be the only persons recognised by the Company as having any title to his shares. The estate of a deceased Member is not thereby released from any liability in respect of any share, for which he was a joint or sole holder.

 

12.2 Any person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of a Member (or in any other way than by transfer) may, upon such evidence being produced as may be required by the Directors, elect, by a notice in writing sent by him to the Company, either to become the holder of such share or to have some person nominated by him registered as the holder of such share. If he elects to have another person registered as the holder of such share he shall sign an instrument of transfer of that share to that person. The Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the share by the relevant Member before his death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution, as the case may be.

 

12.3

A person becoming entitled to a share by reason of the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of a Member (or in any other case than by transfer) shall be entitled to the same dividends, other distributions and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the holder of such share. However, he shall not, before becoming a Member in respect of a share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to general meetings of the Company and the Directors may at any time give notice requiring any such person to elect either to be registered himself or to have some person nominated by him be

 

11


  registered as the holder of the share (but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the share by the relevant Member before his death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution or any other case than by transfer, as the case may be). If the notice is not complied with within ninety (90) calendar days of being received or deemed to be received (as determined pursuant to the Articles), the Directors may thereafter withhold payment of all dividends, other distributions, bonuses or other monies payable in respect of the share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with.

 

13 ALTERATION OF CAPITAL

 

13.1 Subject to these Articles, the Company may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe.

 

13.2 Subject to these Articles, the Company may by Ordinary Resolution:

 

  (a) consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into shares of larger amount than its existing shares, provided that any fractions of a share that result from such a consolidation or division of its share capital shall be automatically repurchased by the Company (i) at the Market Price on the date of such consolidation or division, in the case of any shares listed on a Designated Stock Exchange and (ii) at a price to be agreed between the Company and the applicable Member in the case of any shares not listed on a Designated Stock Exchange;

 

  (b) sub-divide its existing shares, or any of them into shares of a smaller amount provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in case of the share from which the reduced share is derived;

 

  (c) divide shares into multiple classes; or

 

  (d) cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled.

 

13.3 Subject to these Articles, the Company may by Special Resolution:

 

  (a) change its name;

 

  (b) alter or add to these Articles;

 

  (c) alter or add to the Memorandum of Association with respect to any objects, powers or other matters specified therein; or

 

  (d) reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner authorised by law.

 

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13.4 All new shares created hereunder shall be subject to the same provisions with reference to the payment of calls, liens, transfer, transmission, forfeiture and otherwise as the shares in the original share capital.

 

14 CLOSING REGISTER OF MEMBERS OR FIXING RECORD DATE

 

14.1 For the purpose of determining those Members that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at any meeting of Members or any adjournment thereof, or those Members that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination as to who is a Member for any other purpose, the Directors may provide that the Register of Members shall be closed for transfers for a stated period but not to exceed in any case sixty (60) calendar days. If the Register of Members shall be so closed for the purpose of determining those Members that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Members such register shall be so closed for at least fourteen (14) calendar days (but not more than sixty (60) calendar days) immediately preceding such meeting and the record date for such determination shall be the date of the closure of the Register of Members, which such date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Directors. The Directors shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, at least fourteen (14) days before every general meeting, a complete list of the Members entitled to vote at such meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each Member and the number of shares registered in the name of each Member. Such list shall be open to the examination of any Member, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any Member who is present.

 

14.2 In lieu of or apart from closing the Register of Members, the Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of those Members that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of the Members and for the purpose of determining those Members that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend the Directors may, at or within ninety (90) calendar days prior to the date of declaration of such dividend, fix a subsequent date as the record date of such determination.

 

14.3 If the Register of Members is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of those Members entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Members or those Members that are entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the record date for such determination of Members shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. When a determination of those Members that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Members has been made as provided in this Article, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

 

15 GENERAL MEETINGS

 

15.1 All general meetings of the Company other than annual general meetings shall be called extraordinary general meetings.

 

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15.2 The Company shall, in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting at such time and place as may be determined by the Directors, and may also be convened by the Board on its own initiative.

 

15.3 Extraordinary general meetings may be called by the Board or by the chairman of the Board, or by the Board at the request of either of the Sponsor Investors so long as the Sponsor Investors collectively own at least 40% of the outstanding Ordinary Shares. Such extraordinary general meetings shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by the Board.

 

15.4 In the absence of a designation of the location of a general meeting, such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Company.

 

15.5 A person may participate at a general meeting by conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all the persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other. Participation by a person in a general meeting in this manner is treated as presence in person at that meeting.

 

16 NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS

 

16.1 At least fourteen (14) calendar days’ notice (but not more than sixty (60) calendar days’ notice) shall be given for any general meeting. Every notice shall be exclusive of the day on which it is given or deemed to be given and of the day for which it is given and shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting, the matters that are intended to be presented, and, in the case of annual general meetings, the name of any nominee who the Directors intend to present for election, and shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned or in such other manner if any as may be prescribed by the Company, provided that a general meeting of the Company shall, whether or not the notice specified in this regulation has been given and whether or not the provisions of Articles regarding general meetings have been complied with, be deemed to have been duly convened if it is so agreed:

 

  (a) in the case of an annual general meeting by all the Members (or their proxies) entitled to attend and vote thereat; and

 

  (b) in the case of an extraordinary general meeting by the Members (or their proxies) having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, together holding not less than a majority in par value of the shares giving that right.

 

16.2 The notice convening an annual general meeting shall specify the meeting as such, and the notice convening a meeting to pass a Special Resolution shall specify the intention to propose the resolution as a Special Resolution. Notice of every general meeting shall be given to all Members other than such as, under the provisions hereof or the terms of issue of the shares they hold, are not entitled to receive such notice from the Company.

 

16.3

Written notice of any general meeting shall be given either personally or by first-class mail or by telegraphic or other written communication. Notices not personally delivered shall be sent charges prepaid and shall be addressed to the Member at the address of that Member appearing on the books of the Company or given by the Member to the Company for the purpose of notice. Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered

 

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  personally or deposited in the mail or sent by telegram or other means of written communication. An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any general meeting, executed by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or any transfer agent of the Company giving the notice, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of such notice.

 

16.4 In cases where instruments of proxy are sent out with notices, the accidental omission to send such instrument of proxy to, or the non-receipt of any such instrument of proxy by, any person entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate any resolution passed or any proceeding at any such meeting.

 

16.5 No business may be transacted at any general meeting, other than business that is either (A) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board (or any duly authorised committee thereof), (B) otherwise properly brought before an annual general meeting by or at the direction of the Board (or any duly authorised committee thereof) or (C) otherwise properly brought before an annual general meeting by any Member of the Company who (1) is a Member of record on both (x) the date of the giving of the notice by such Member provided for in this Article and (y) the record date for the determination of Members entitled to vote at such annual general meeting and (2) complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Article.

 

  (a) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be brought properly before an annual general meeting by a Member, such Member must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Company.

 

  (b) [Reserved.]

 

  (c) All notices of meetings of the Members shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Article 16.5 hereof not less than fourteen (14) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. The notice shall specify the place, date and hour of the meeting and (i) in the case of an extraordinary general meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called (no business other than that specified in the notice may be transacted) or (ii) in the case of the annual general meeting, those matters which the Board, at the time of giving the notice, intends to present for action by the members (but any proper matter may be presented at the meeting for such action). The notice of any meeting at which Directors are to be elected shall include the name of any nominee or nominees who, at the time of the notice, the Board intends to present for election.

 

  (d) For matters other than for the nomination for election of a Director to be made by a Member of the Company, to be timely, such Member’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company at least forty-five (45) days prior to the date on which the Company first mailed proxy materials for the prior year’s annual general meeting; provided, however, that if the Company’s annual general meeting occurs on a date more than thirty (30) days earlier or later than the Company’s prior year’s annual general meeting, then the Board shall determine a date a reasonable period prior to the Company’s annual general meeting by which date the Members notice must be delivered and publicize such date in a filing pursuant to the Exchange Act, or via press release. Such publication shall occur at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date set by the Board.

 

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  (e) To be in proper written form, a Member’s notice to the Secretary must set forth as to such matter such Member proposes to bring before the annual general meeting (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual general meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual general meeting, (2) the name and address, as they appear on the Company’s books, of the Member proposing such business and any Member Associated Person (as defined below), (3) the class or series and number of shares of the Company that are held of record or are beneficially owned by such Member or any Member Associated Person and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the Member or any Member Associated Person, (4) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of such Member or any Member Associated Person with respect to any securities of the Company, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit from share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such Member or any Member Associated Person with respect to any securities of the corporation, (5) any material interest of the Member or a Member Associated Person in such business, and (6) a statement whether either such Member or any Member Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Company’s voting shares required under applicable law and the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange to carry the proposal. For purposes of this Article 16.5(e), a “Member Associated Person” of any Member shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such Member, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of the Company owned of record or beneficially by such Member and on whose behalf the proposal or nomination, as the case may be, is being made, or (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person referred to in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii).

 

  (f) No business shall be conducted at the annual general meeting except business brought before the annual general meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article, provided, however, that once business has been properly brought before the annual general meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Article shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any Member of any such business. If the Chairperson of an annual general meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the annual general meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairperson shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted.

 

  (g) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination for election of a Director to be made by a Member of the Company, such Member must (A) be a Member of record on both (x) the date of the giving of the notice by such Member provided for in this Article and (y) the record date for the determination of Members entitled to vote at such annual general meeting and (B) have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Company. If a Member is entitled to vote only for a specific class or category of directors at a meeting of the Members, such Member’s right to nominate one or more persons for election as a director at the meeting shall be limited to such class or category of directors.

 

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  (h) To be timely for purposes of Article 16.5(g), subject to any lesser period as may be provided in the Sponsors Shareholders Agreement, a Member’s notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the meeting; provided, however, that in the event less than one hundred thirty (130) days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to Members, notice by the Member to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10 th ) day following the earlier of the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made.

 

  (i) To be in proper written form for purposes of Article 16.5(g), a Member’s notice to the Secretary must be set forth (A) as to each person whom the Member proposes to nominate for election as a director (1) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (2) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (3) the class or series and number of shares of the Company, if any, which are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (4) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to any applicable law and rules of the Designated Stock Exchange; and (B) as to the Member giving notice (1) the name and record address of such Member, (2) the class or series and number of shares of the Company which are owned beneficially or of record by such Member, (3) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such Member and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such Member, (4) a representation that such Member intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to nominate the person(s) named in its notice and (5) any other information relating to such Member that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to any applicable law and rules of the Designated Stock Exchange. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

 

16.6 No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Company unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Articles under this heading of “NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS ”. If the Chairperson of an annual general meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairperson shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded. This Article shall not apply to any nomination of a director in an election in which only the holders of one or more series of Preferred Shares of the Company are entitled to vote (unless otherwise provided in the terms of such series of Preferred Shares).

 

16.7 The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to or the non-receipt of a notice of a meeting by any Member shall not invalidate the proceedings at any meeting.

 

17 PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

 

17.1

No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. Members holding in aggregate not less than a majority of all voting share capital of the Company in issue present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall be a quorum for all purposes. A person may participate at a general meeting by conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all the

 

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  persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other. Participation by a person in a general meeting in this manner is treated as presence in person at that meeting. If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any general meeting, then either (i) the Chairperson of the meeting or (ii) the Members entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting.

 

17.2 When a meeting is adjourned to another time and place, unless these Articles of Association otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the Company may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each Member of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

17.3 A determination of the Members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a general meeting shall apply to any adjournment of such meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the Board shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than thirty (30) days from the date set for the original meeting.

 

17.4 The Chairperson of the Board of Directors shall preside as Chairperson at every general meeting of the Company. If at any meeting the Chairperson of the Board of Directors is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is unwilling to act as Chairperson, the Directors present shall elect one of their number to Chairperson of the meeting or if all the Directors present decline to take the chair, the Members present shall choose one of their own number to be the Chairperson of the meeting.

 

17.5 At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a poll.

 

17.6 A poll shall be taken in such manner as the Chairperson directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting.

 

17.7 In the case of an equality of votes, the Chairperson of the meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.

 

18 VOTES OF MEMBERS

 

18.1 Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares, every Member present in person and every person representing a Member by proxy at a general meeting of the Company shall have one vote for each share registered in such Member’s name in the Register of Members. No cumulative voting shall be allowed.

 

18.2 In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior who tenders a vote whether in person or by proxy shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the joint holders and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register of Members.

 

18.3 A Member of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction in lunacy, may vote on a poll by his committee, or other person in the nature of a committee appointed by that court, and any such committee or other person, may on a poll, vote by proxy.

 

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18.4 No Member shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting unless all sums presently payable by him in respect of shares in the Company have been paid.

 

18.5 On a poll, votes may be given either personally or by proxy.

 

18.6 The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic transmission, telefacsimile or otherwise) under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorized authorised in that behalf provided however, that a Member may also authorise the casting of a vote by proxy pursuant to telephonic or electronically transmitted instructions (including, without limitation, instructions transmitted over the internet) obtained pursuant to procedures approved by the Board which are reasonably designed to verify that such instructions have been authorised by such Member. A proxy need not be a Member of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

 

18.7 An instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve.

 

18.8 The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll.

 

19 CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES AT MEETING

 

19.1 Any corporation which is a Member or a Director may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any class of Members or of the Board of Directors or of a committee of Directors, and the person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual Member or Director.

 

20 CLEARING HOUSES

 

20.1 If a clearing house or depository (or its nominee) is a member of the Company it may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body or by power of attorney, authorise such person or persons as it thinks fit to act as its representative or representatives at any general meeting of the Company or at any general meeting of any class of members of the Company provided that, if more than one person is so authorised, the authorization shall specify the number and class of shares in respect of which each such person is so authorised. A person so authorised pursuant to this provision shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the clearing house (or its nominee) which he represents as that clearing house (or its nominee) could exercise if it were an individual member of the Company holding the number and class of shares specified in such authorization.

 

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21 DIRECTORS

 

21.1 There shall be a Board of Directors consisting of up to eight (8) Directors, as shall be fixed from time to time by the Directors. The Directors shall be elected or appointed in the first place by the subscribers to the Memorandum of Association or by a majority of them and thereafter by the Board, subject to Article 21.2.

 

21.2 The Directors shall be divided into three (3) classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. Directors shall be assigned to each class in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. At the 2018 annual general meeting of Members, the term of office of the Class I Directors shall expire and Class I Directors shall be elected for a full term of three (3) years. At the 2019 annual general meeting of Members, the term of office of the Class II Directors shall expire and Class II Directors shall be elected for a full term of three (3) years. At the 2020 annual general meeting of Members, the term of office of the Class III Directors shall expire and Class III Directors shall be elected for a full term of three (3) years. At each succeeding annual general meeting of Members, Directors shall be elected for a full term of three (3) years to succeed the Directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual general meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, each Director shall hold office until the expiration of his term, until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of Directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director.

 

21.3 The Board of Directors shall have a Chairperson of the Board of Directors (the “Chairperson” ) elected and appointed by a majority of the Directors then in office. The Directors may also elect a Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors (the “Vice-Chairperson” ). The Chairperson shall preside as Chairperson at every meeting of the Board of Directors. To the extent the Chairperson is not present at a meeting of the Board of Directors, the Vice-Chairperson, or in his absence, the attending Directors, may choose one Director to be the Chairperson of the meeting. The Chairperson’s voting right as to the matters to be decided by the Board of Directors shall be the same as other Directors. In the case of an equality of votes, the Chairperson shall not have an additional tie-breaking vote.

 

21.4 The Directors by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting, even if less than a quorum, by a sole remaining Director or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Company’s outstanding shares, so long as the Sponsor Investors collectively own at least 40% of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares, shall have the power from time to time and at any time to appoint any person as a Director to fill a vacancy on the Board or as an addition to the existing Board, subject to these Articles, applicable law and the listing rules of the Designated Stock Exchange; provided, however, at any time when the Sponsor Investors collectively own less than 40% of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares, only Directors by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Director shall have the power from time to time and at any time to appoint any Person as Director to fill any addition to the existing Board or any vacancy occurring in the Board. Any Director so appointed shall hold office until the next succeeding annual general meeting of Members or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. The Board may increase the number of Directors by the affirmative vote of simple majority of the Directors or, at any time when the Sponsor Investors collectively own at least 40% of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Company’s outstanding shares.

 

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21.5 Subject to Article 21.4, a Director may be removed from office with or without cause at any time before the expiration of his term notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to any claim for damages under such agreement) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Company’s outstanding shares, so long as the Sponsor Investors collectively own at least 40% of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares; however at any time the Sponsor Investors collectively own less than 40% of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares, Directors may only be removed for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 75% of the Company’s outstanding shares.

 

21.6 A vacancy on the Board created by the removal of a Director under the provisions of these Articles may be filled by the election or appointment by Ordinary Resolution at the meeting at which such Director is removed or by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting, subject to these Articles, applicable law and the listing rules of the Designated Stock Exchange. Any Director so appointed shall hold office until the next succeeding annual general meeting of Members or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

21.7 The Board may, from time to time, and except as required by applicable law or the listing rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, adopt, institute, amend, modify or revoke the corporate governance policies or initiatives, which shall be intended to set forth the policies of the Company and the Board on various corporate governance related matters, as the Board shall determine by resolution from time to time.

 

21.8 A Director shall not be required to hold any shares in the Company by way of qualification. A Director who is not a member of the Company shall nevertheless be entitled to receive notice of and to attend and speak at general meetings of the Company and all classes of shares of the Company.

 

21.9 The provisions of this Article 21 shall not limit any of the rights or obligations of any party under the Sponsor Shareholders Agreement.

 

22 DIRECTORS’ FEES AND EXPENSES

 

22.1 The Directors may receive such remuneration as the Board may from time to time determine. The Directors may be entitled to be repaid all traveling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred by him in attending meetings of the Board or committees of the Board or general meetings or separate meetings of any class of shares or of debentures of the Company or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his duties as a Director.

 

22.2 Any Director who, by request, goes or resides abroad for any purpose of the Company or who performs services which in the opinion of the Board go beyond the ordinary duties of a Director may be paid such extra remuneration (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Board may determine and such extra remuneration shall be in addition to or in substitution for any ordinary remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any other Article.

 

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23 POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

 

23.1 Subject to the provisions of the Statute, these Articles and to any resolutions made in a general meeting, the business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors, who may pay all expenses incurred in setting up and registering the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company. No resolution made by the Company in a general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors that would have been valid if that resolution had not been made.

 

23.2 Subject to these Articles, the Directors may from time to time appoint any person, whether or not a director of the Company, to hold the office of the Chief Executive Officer as the Directors may think necessary for the administration of the Company, for such term and at such remuneration (whether by way of salary or commission or participation in profits or partly in one way and partly in another), and with such powers and duties as the Directors may think fit. The Chief Executive Officer may from time to time appoint any person to hold such office in the Company as he or she may think necessary for the administration of the Company, including without prejudice to the foregoing generality, the office of one or more Vice Presidents, Chief Financial Officer, Manager or Controller, and for such term and at such remuneration (whether by way of salary or commission or participation in profits or partly in one way and partly in another), and with such powers and duties as the Chief Executive Officer may think fit.

 

23.3 The Directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such member or members of their body as they think fit; provided that any committee so formed shall include amongst its members at least two Directors unless otherwise required by applicable law, rules and regulations and the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange; provided further that no committee shall have the power of authority to (a) recommend to the Members an amendment of these Articles of Association (except that a committee may, to the extent authorized in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of shares of stock adopted by the Board of Directors as provided under the laws of the Cayman Islands, fix the designations and any of the preferences or rights of such shares relating to dividends, redemption, dissolution, any distribution of assets of the Company or the conversion into, or the exchange of such shares for, shares of any other class or classes or any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Company); (b) adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation; (c) recommend to the Members the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Company’s property and assets; (d) recommend to the Members a dissolution of the Company or a revocation of a dissolution; (e) recommend to the Members an amendment of the Memorandum of Association of the Company; or (f) declare a dividend or authorize the issuance of Shares unless the resolution establishing such committee or the Memorandum or Articles of Association of the Company so provide. Any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Directors. The Directors may also delegate to any Director holding any executive office such of their powers as they consider desirable to be exercised by him or her. Any such delegation may be made subject to any conditions the Board may impose, and either collaterally with or to the exclusion of their own powers, and may be revoked or altered.

 

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23.4 The Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney appoint any company, firm or person or body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or attorneys of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretion (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorney as the Directors may think fit, and may also authorise any such attorney to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretion vested in him.

 

23.5 The Directors may from time to time provide for the management of the affairs of the Company in such manner as they shall think fit and the provisions contained in the following paragraphs shall be without prejudice to the general powers conferred by this paragraph.

 

23.6 The Directors from time to time and at any time may establish any committees, local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company and may appoint any persons to be members of such committees or local boards and may appoint any managers or agents of the Company and may fix the remuneration of any of the aforesaid.

 

23.7 The Directors from time to time and at any time may delegate to any such committee, local board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in the Directors and may authorise the members for the time being of any such local board, or any of them to fill up any vacancies therein and to act notwithstanding vacancies and any such appointment or delegation may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Directors may think fit and the Directors may at any time remove any person so appointed and may annul or vary any such delegation, but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of any such annulment or variation shall be affected thereby.

 

23.8 Any such delegates as aforesaid may be authorised by the Directors to subdelegate all or any of the powers, authorities, and discretions for the time being vested to them.

 

23.9 The Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.

 

24 DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

 

24.1 Subject to these Articles, the office of Director shall be vacated, if the Director:

 

  (a) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors;

 

  (b) is found to be or becomes of unsound mind;

 

  (c) resigns his office by notice in writing to the Company;

 

  (d) is prohibited by applicable law or the Designated Stock Exchange from being a director;

 

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  (e) without special leave of absence from the Board, is absent from meetings of the Board for six consecutive months and the Board resolves that his office be vacated; or

 

  (f) if he or she shall be removed from office pursuant to these Articles.

 

25 PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

 

25.1 Subject to these Articles, the Directors may meet together for the dispatch of business, adjourn, and otherwise regulate their meetings and proceedings as they think fit. Such meetings may be held at any place within or outside the Cayman Islands that has been designated by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such a designation, meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the principal executive office of the Company. Questions arising at any meeting of the Directors shall be decided by a majority of votes. In the case of an equality of votes, the Chairperson of the Board shall not have an additional tie-breaking vote.

 

25.2 The Chairperson of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president, any vice president, the Secretary or any two Directors may, at any time summon a meeting of the Board by notice to each Director by telephone, facsimile, electronic email, telegraph or telex, during normal business hours, or by sending notice in writing to each Director by first class mail, charges prepaid, at least forty-eight hours before the date of the meeting, which notice shall set forth the general nature of the business to be considered unless notice is waived by all the Directors either at, before or after the meeting is held and provided further, if notice is given in person, by telephone, facsimile, electronic email, telegraph or telex, the same shall be deemed to have been given on the day it is delivered to the Directors or transmitting organization as the case may be. The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting of the Board to, or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting by, any person entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings of that meeting. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Director (i) who signs a waiver of notice or a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof, whether before or after the meeting, or (ii) who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such Directors. All such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made part of the minutes of the meeting. A waiver of notice need not specify the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

25.3 A Director or Directors may participate in any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee appointed by the Board of Directors of which such Director or Directors are members, by means of telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all persons participating in such meeting can hear each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

25.4 The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Directors shall be a majority of the authorized number of Directors; however, for so long as a Sponsor Director is on the Board, a quorum shall also require at least one Sponsor Director. If any such required Sponsor Director fails to appear at a meeting of the Board, and such meeting is adjourned with proper notice and postponed with no change to the agenda, and such Sponsor Director again fails to appear at such postponed meeting, a majority of the authorized number of Directors without such Sponsor Director will constitute a quorum. For the avoidance of doubt, if at any time there is only a sole Director, the quorum shall be one (1) Director. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the Directors present at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of these Articles of Association and other applicable law.

 

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25.5 A meeting of the Directors may be held by means of telephone or teleconferencing or any other telecommunications facility provided that all participants are thereby able to communicate immediately by voice with all other participants.

 

25.6 Subject to these Articles, a Director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Directors. A general notice given to the Directors by any Director to the effect that he is a member of any specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract which may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract so made. A Director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the Directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement shall come before the meeting for consideration.

 

25.7 A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms (as to remuneration and otherwise) as the Directors may determine and no Director or intending Director shall be disqualified by his office from contracting with the Company either with regard to his tenure of any such other office or place of profit or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director is in any way interested, be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realized by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relation thereby established. A Director, notwithstanding his interest, may be counted in the quorum present at any meeting whereat he or any other Director is appointed to hold any such office or place of profit under the Company or whereat the terms of any such appointment are arranged and he may vote on any such appointment or arrangement. Any Director who enters into a contract or arrangement or has a relationship that is reasonably likely to be implicated under this Article or that would reasonably be likely to affect a Director’s status as an “Independent Director” under applicable law or the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange shall disclose the nature of his or her interest in any such contract or arrangement in which he is interested or any such relationship.

 

25.8 Any Director may act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Company, and he or his firm shall be entitled to reasonable expense reimbursement consistent with the Company’s policies in connection with such Directors service in his or her official capacity; provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise a Director or his firm to act as auditor to the Company.

 

25.9 The Directors shall cause minutes to be made in books or loose-leaf folders provided for the purpose of recording:

 

  (a) all appointments of officers made by the Directors;

 

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  (b) the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors; and

 

  (c) all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Company, and of the Directors and of committees of Directors.

 

25.10 When the Chairperson of a meeting of the Directors signs the minutes of such meeting the same shall be deemed to have been duly held notwithstanding that all the Directors have not actually come together or that there may have been a technical defect in the proceedings.

 

25.11 A resolution signed by all the Directors shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Directors duly called and constituted. When signed a resolution may consist of several documents each signed by one or more of the Directors.

 

25.12 The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body but if and so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Articles as the necessary quorum of Directors, the continuing Directors may act for the purpose of increasing the number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose.

 

25.13 A committee appointed by the Directors may elect a Chairperson of its meetings. If no such Chairperson is elected, or if at any meeting the Chairperson is not present within five minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, the members present may choose one of their number to be Chairperson of the meeting.

 

25.14 A committee appointed by the Directors may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the committee members present and in case of an equality of votes the Chairperson shall not have a second or casting vote.

 

25.15 Meetings and actions of committees of the Board of Directors shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article 25.1 (place of meetings), Article 25.2 (notice), Article 25.3 (telephonic meetings), and Article 25.4 (quorum), with such changes in the context of these Articles of Association as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board of Directors and its members; provided, however, that the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the Board of Directors or by resolution of the committee, that special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the Board of Directors, and that notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The Board of Directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these Articles of Association.

 

25.16 All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, or by any person acting as a Director, shall, notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such Director or person acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director.

 

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26 PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT

 

26.1 A Director of the Company who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any Company matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent or abstention shall be entered in the Minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file his written dissent or abstention from such action with the person acting as the Chairperson or Secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent or abstention by registered post to such person immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent or abstain shall not apply to a Director who voted in favour of such action.

 

27 DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND RESERVE

 

27.1 Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares and these Articles, the Directors may from time to time declare dividends (including interim dividends) and other distributions on shares in issue and authorise payment of the same out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor. All dividends unclaimed for one (1) year after having been declared may be invested or otherwise made use of by the Board for the benefit of the Company until claimed. Any dividend unclaimed after a period of six (6) years from the date of declaration shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company. The payment by the Board of any unclaimed dividend or other sums payable on or in respect of a share into a separate account shall not constitute the Company a trustee in respect thereof.

 

27.2 The Directors may, before recommending or declaring any dividend, set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Directors be applicable for meeting contingencies, or for equalizing dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds be properly applied and pending such application may, at the like discretion, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments (other than shares of the Company) as the Directors may from time to time think fit. The Board shall establish an account to be called the “Share Premium Account” and shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any share in the Company. Unless otherwise provided by the provisions of these Articles, the Board may apply the share premium account in any manner permitted by the Statute and the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange. The Company shall at all times comply with the provisions of these Articles, the Statute and the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange in relation to the share premium account.

 

27.3 Any dividend may be paid by cheque or warrant sent through the post to the registered address of the Member or person entitled thereto, or in the case of joint holders, to any one of such joint holders at his registered address or to such person and such address as the Member or person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall be made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent or to the order of such other person as the Member or person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct.

 

27.4 The Directors when paying dividends to the Members in accordance with the foregoing provisions may make such payment either in cash or in specie.

 

27.5 No dividend shall be paid otherwise than out of profits or, subject to the restrictions of the Statute, the share premium account.

 

27


27.6 Subject to the rights of persons, if any, entitled to shares with special rights as to dividends, all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid or credited as fully paid on the shares, but if and so long as nothing is paid up on any of the shares in the Company dividends may be declared and paid according to the amounts of the shares. No amount paid on a share in advance of calls shall, while carrying interest, be treated for the purposes of this Article as paid on the share.

 

27.7 If several persons are registered as joint holders of any share, any of them may give effectual receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of the share.

 

27.8 No dividend shall bear interest against the Company.

 

28 BOOK OF ACCOUNTS

 

28.1 The books of account relating to the Company’s affairs shall be kept in such manner as may be determined from time to time by the Directors.

 

28.2 The books of account shall be kept at such place or places as the Directors think fit, and shall always be open to the inspection of the Directors.

 

28.3 Except as provided in Article 14.1, the Directors shall from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Members not being Directors, and no Member (not being a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by Statute or authorised by the Directors or by the Company by Ordinary Resolution.

 

28.4 The accounts relating to the Company’s affairs shall be audited in such manner and with such financial year end as may be determined from time to time by the Company by Ordinary Resolution or failing any such determination by the Directors or failing any determination as aforesaid shall not be audited.

 

29 ANNUAL RETURNS AND FILINGS

 

29.1 The Board shall make the requisite annual returns and any other requisite filings in accordance with the Statute.

 

30 AUDIT

 

30.1 The Directors may appoint an auditor of the Company who shall hold office until removed from office by a resolution of the Directors and may fix his or their remuneration.

 

30.2 Every Auditor of the Company shall have a right of access at all times to the books and accounts and vouchers of the Company and shall be entitled to require from the Directors and officers of the Company such information and explanation as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the auditors.

 

28


30.3 Auditors shall, if so required by the Directors, make a report on the accounts of the Company during their tenure of office at the next annual general meeting following their appointment in the case of a company which is registered with the Registrar of Companies as an ordinary company, and at the next extraordinary general meeting following their appointment in the case of a company which is registered with the Registrar of Companies as an exempted company, and at any other time during their term of office, upon request of the Directors or any general meeting of the Members.

 

31 THE SEAL

 

31.1 The Seal of the Company shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Board of Directors, provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of the Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of the Seal. The Seal shall be affixed in the presence of any one or more persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose and every person as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the Seal of the Company is so affixed in their presence.

 

31.2 The Company may maintain a facsimile of its Seal in such countries or places as the Directors may appoint and such facsimile Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Board of Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of such facsimile Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of such facsimile Seal. The facsimile Seal shall be affixed in the presence of such person or persons as the Directors shall for this purpose appoint and such person or persons as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the facsimile Seal of the Company is so affixed in their presence of and the instrument signed by a Director or the Secretary (or an Assistant Secretary) of the Company or in the presence of any one or more persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose.

 

31.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Director shall have the authority to affix the Seal, or the facsimile Seal, to any instrument for the purposes of attesting authenticity of the matter contained therein but which does not create any obligation binding on the Company.

 

32 OFFICERS

 

32.1 The Company shall have a President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and may have one or more Vice Presidents, a Manager or a Controller, appointed by the Directors; provided, however, that there may exist a vacancy in any such office from time to time because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause which shall be filled by the Board of Directors as soon as reasonably practicable. The Directors may also from time to time appoint such other officers as they consider necessary, all for such terms, at such remuneration and to perform such duties, and subject to such provisions as to disqualification and removal as the Directors from time to time subscribe.

 

33 REGISTER OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

33.1 The Company shall cause to be kept in one or more books at its office a Register of Directors and Officers in which there shall be entered the full names and addresses of the Directors and Officers and such other particulars as required by the Statute. The Company shall send to the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands a copy of such register, and shall from time to time notify the said Registrar of any change that takes place in relation to such Directors and Officers as required by the Statute.

 

29


34 CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS

 

34.1 Subject to the Statute and these Articles, the Board may capitalize any sum standing to the credit of any of the Company’s reserve accounts (including a share premium account or a capital redemption reserve fund) or any sum standing to the credit of profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution and to appropriate such sum to Members in the proportions in which such sum would have been divisible amongst them had the same been a distribution of profits by way of dividend and to apply such sum on their behalf in paying up in full unissued shares for allotment and distribution credited as fully paid up to and amongst them in the proportion aforesaid. In such event the Directors shall do all acts and things required to give effect to such capitalization, with full power to the Directors to make such provisions as they think fit for the case of shares becoming distributable in fractions (including provisions whereby the benefit of fractional entitlements accrue to the Company rather than to the Members concerned). The Directors may authorise any person to enter on behalf of all of the Members interested into an agreement with the Company providing for such capitalization and matters incidental thereto and any agreement made under such authority shall be effective and binding on all concerned.

 

35 NOTICES

 

35.1 Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, any notice or document may be served by the Company or by the person entitled to give notice to any Member either personally, by facsimile or by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter or via a recognised courier service, fees prepaid, addressed to the Member at his address as appearing in the Register of Members or, to the extent permitted by all applicable laws and regulations, by electronic means by transmitting it to any electronic number or address or website supplied by the member to the Company or by placing it on the Company’s Website provided that, with respect to notification via electronic means or posting to Company’s Website, the Company has obtained the Member’s prior express positive confirmation in writing to receive or otherwise have made available to him notices in such fashion. In the case of joint holders of a share, all notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first in the Register of Members in respect of the joint holding, and notice so given shall be sufficient notice to all the joint holders.

 

35.2 Notices posted to addresses outside the Cayman Islands shall be forwarded by prepaid airmail.

 

35.3 Any Member present, either personally or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company shall for all purposes be deemed to have received due notice of such meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which such meeting was convened.

 

35.4

Any notice or other document, if served by (a) post, shall be deemed to have been served when the letter containing the same is posted and if served by courier, shall be deemed to have been served when the letter containing the same is delivered to the courier (in proving such service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing the notice or document was properly addressed and duly posted or delivered to the courier), or (b) facsimile, shall be deemed to have been served upon confirmation of successful transmission, or (c) recognised delivery service,

 

30


  shall be deemed to have been served when the letter containing the same is delivered to the courier service and in proving such service it shall be sufficient to provide that the letter containing the notice or documents was properly addressed and duly posted or delivered to the courier or (d) electronic means as provided herein shall be deemed to have been served and delivered on the day on which it is successfully transmitted or at such later time as may be prescribed by any applicable laws or regulations.

 

35.5 Any notice or document delivered or sent to any Member in accordance with the terms of these Articles shall notwithstanding that such Member be then dead or bankrupt, and whether or not the Company has notice of his death or bankruptcy, be deemed to have been duly served in respect of any share registered in the name of such Member as sole or joint holder, unless his name shall at the time of the service of the notice or document, have been removed from the Register of Members as the holder of the share, and such service shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service of such notice or document on all persons interested (whether jointly with or as claiming through or under him) in the share.

 

35.6 Notice of every general meeting shall be given to:

 

  (a) all Members who have supplied to the Company an address for the giving of notices to them, except that in case of joint holders, the notice shall be sufficient if given to the joint holder first named in the Register of Members;

 

  (b) every person entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Member, who but for his death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting;

 

  (c) the Auditors; and

 

  (d) each Director.

 

35.7 No other person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings.

 

36 INFORMATION

 

36.1 No Member shall be entitled to require discovery of any information in respect of any detail of the Company’s trading or any information which is or may be in the nature of a trade secret or secret process which may relate to the conduct of the business of the Company and which in the opinion of the Board would not be in the interests of the members of the Company to communicate to the public.

 

36.2 The Board shall be entitled to release or disclose any information in its possession, custody or control regarding the Company or its affairs to any of its members including, without limitation, information contained in the Register of Members and transfer books of the Company.

 

37 INDEMNITY

 

37.1

The Company shall indemnify every Director and officer of the Company or any predecessor to the Company (which for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include auditors of the Company), together with every former Director and former officer of the Company or any predecessor to the

 

31


  Company, and may indemnify any person (other than current and former Directors and officers) (any such Director, officer or other person, an “Indemnified Person” ), out of the assets of the Company against any liability, including personal liability for breaches of fiduciary duty, action, proceeding, claim, demand, costs, damages or expenses, including legal expenses, whatsoever which they or any of them may incur as a result of any act or failure to act in carrying out their functions other than such liability (if any) that they may incur by reason of their own actual fraud or wilful default. No Indemnified Person shall be liable to the Company for any loss or damage incurred by the Company as a result (whether direct or indirect) of the carrying out of their functions unless that liability arises through the actual fraud or wilful default of such Indemnified Person. No person shall be found to have committed actual fraud or wilful default under this Article unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect. Each Member agrees to waive any claim or right of action he or she might have, whether individually or by or in the right of the Company, against any Director on account of any action taken by such Director, or the failure of such Director to take any action in the performance of his or her duties with or for the Company; provided that such waiver shall not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or wilful default which may attach to such Director.

 

37.2 The Company shall advance to each Indemnified Person reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation involving such Indemnified Person for which indemnity will or could be sought. In connection with any advance of any expenses hereunder, the Indemnified Person shall execute an undertaking to repay the advanced amount to the Company if it shall be determined by final judgment or other final adjudication that such Indemnified Person was not entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article. If it shall be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that such Indemnified Person was not entitled to indemnification with respect to such judgment, costs or expenses, then such party shall not be indemnified with respect to such judgment, costs or expenses and any advancement shall be returned to the Company (without interest) by the Indemnified Person.

 

37.3 The Directors, on behalf of the Company, may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any Director or other officer of the Company against any liability which, by virtue of any rule of law, would otherwise attach to such person in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which such person may be guilty in relation to the Company.

 

37.4 Neither any amendment nor repeal of the Articles set forth under this heading of “ INDEMNITY ” (the “ Indemnification Articles ”), nor the adoption of any provision of the Company’s Articles or Memorandum of Association inconsistent with the Indemnification Articles, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of the Indemnification Articles, in respect of any matter occurring, or any action or proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for these Indemnification Articles, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

 

38 FINANCIAL YEAR

 

38.1 Unless the Directors otherwise prescribe, the financial year of the Company shall end on the last Friday of August in each year and shall begin on the following day in each year.

 

32


39 WINDING UP

 

39.1 If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator shall apply the assets of the Company in satisfaction of creditors’ claims in such manner and order as such liquidator thinks fit. Subject to the rights attaching to any shares, in a winding up:

 

  (a) if the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the Company’s issued share capital, such assets shall be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them; or

 

  (b) if the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the Company’s issued share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst the Members in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to the Company for unpaid calls or otherwise.

 

39.2 If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator may, subject to the rights attaching to any shares and with the sanction of a Special Resolution of the Company and any other sanction required by the Statute, divide amongst the Members in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether such assets shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for that purpose value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator, with the like sanction, shall think fit, but so that no Member shall be compelled to accept any asset upon which there is a liability.

 

40 AMENDMENT OF MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION AND NAME OF COMPANY

 

40.1 Subject to the Statute and these Articles, the Company may at any time and from time to time by Special Resolution alter, amend, change or repeal these Articles or the Memorandum of Association of the Company, in whole or in part, or change the name of the Company.

 

41 REGISTRATION BY WAY OF CONTINUATION

 

41.1 Subject to these Articles, the Company may by Special Resolution resolve to be registered by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing. In furtherance of a resolution adopted pursuant to this Article, the Directors may cause an application to be made to the Registrar of Companies to deregister the Company in the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing and may cause all such further steps as they consider appropriate to be taken to effect the transfer by way of continuation of the Company.

 

33

Exhibit 4.3

 

 

 

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED SPONSOR SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

Dated as of [•], 2017

 

 

 

 

1


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
Article I  
DEFINITIONS  

Section 1.1.

   Definitions      4  

Section 1.2.

   Definitions Cross References      10  

Section 1.3.

   General Interpretive Principles      11  
Article II  
GOVERNANCE  

Section 2.1.

   Board of Directors      11  

Section 2.2.

   Sponsor Investor Actions      15  

Section 2.3.

   Voting Agreement      16  

Section 2.4.

   Controlled Company      16  

Section 2.5.

   Certain Matters Requiring Consent of the Sponsor Investors      16  

Section 2.6.

   Additional Management Provisions      18  

Section 2.7.

   VCOC Investors      18  
Article III  
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS  

Section 3.1.

   General Restrictions on Transfers      20  

Section 3.2.

   Permitted Transfers      21  

Section 3.3.

   Post-Initial Public Offering Transfers      21  

Section 3.4.

   Tag-Along Rights      25  

Section 3.5.

   Shah Co-Investor Transfers      27  
Article IV  
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES  

Section 4.1.

   Further Assurances      28  

Section 4.2.

   Other Businesses; Waiver of Certain Duties      28  

Section 4.3.

   Confidentiality      30  

Section 4.4.

   Cooperation      30  

 

2


Article V  
ADDITIONAL PARTIES  

Section 5.1.

   Additional Parties      31  
Article VI  
INDEMNIFICATION  

Section 6.1.

   Indemnification of Investors      31  
Article VII  
MISCELLANEOUS  

Section 7.1.

   Entire Agreement      33  

Section 7.2.

   Specific Performance      33  

Section 7.3.

   Governing Law      34  

Section 7.4.

   Submissions to Jurisdictions; WAIVERS OF JURY TRIALS      34  

Section 7.5.

   Obligations      35  

Section 7.6.

   Consents, Approvals and Actions      35  

Section 7.7.

   Amendment and Waiver      36  

Section 7.8.

   Assignment      36  

Section 7.9.

   Binding Effect      36  

Section 7.10.

   Third Party Beneficiaries      36  

Section 7.11.

   Effectiveness and Termination      36  

Section 7.12.

   Notices      37  

Section 7.13.

   No Third Party Liability      39  

Section 7.14.

   No Partnership      39  

Section 7.15.

   Aggregation      39  

Section 7.16.

   Severability      39  

Section 7.17.

   Counterparts      39  

Exhibit A – Form of Joinder Agreement

Exhibit B – Form of Director Indemnification Agreements

 

3


SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED SPONSOR SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED SPONSOR SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT (as may be amended, supplemented, restated or modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”) is made as of [•], 2017, by and among SMART Global Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Saleen Holdings, Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company (together with its successors and assigns, the “ Company ”), Silver Lake Partners III Cayman (AIV III), L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “ SLP Investor ”), Silver Lake Technology Investors III Cayman, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “ SLP Co-Investor ”), Silver Lake Sumeru Fund Cayman, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “ SLS Investor ”), Silver Lake Technology Investors Sumeru Cayman, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “ SLS Co-Investor ”), Mr. Ajay B. Shah, an individual (“ Mr. Shah ”), Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, L.P., Fund No. 1, a California limited partnership (“ Shah Fund 1 ”), Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, L.P., Fund No. 3, a California limited partnership (“ Shah Fund 3 ”), Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, L.P., Fund No. 4, a California limited partnership (“ Shah Fund 4 ”), The Ajay B. Shah and Lata K. Shah 1996 Trust u/a/d 5/28/1996, a California revocable trust (“ Shah Trust ”, and together with Mr. Shah, Shah Fund 1, Shah Fund 3 and Shah Fund 4, collectively the “ Shah Investors ”).

WHEREAS, the Company, the SLP Investor, the SLP Co-Investor, the SLS Investor, the SLS Co-Investor and the Shah Investors entered into that certain Sponsor Shareholders Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011 (the “ Prior Agreement ”) in order to provide for the management of the Company and to set forth the respective rights and obligations of the parties thereto with respect to the ownership of Securities (as defined below); and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Sponsor Investors (as defined below) desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in connection with the Initial Public Offering (as defined below) of the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with such Person. The term “ Control ” means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlled ” and “ Controlling ” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this Agreement, (i) the Company, its Subsidiaries and its other

 

4


Controlled Affiliates shall not be considered Affiliates of any of the Silver Lake Partners Investors, Silver Lake Sumeru Investors, the Shah Co-Investors or any of such party’s Affiliates (other than the Company, its Subsidiaries and its other Controlled Affiliates), (ii) none of the Silver Lake Partners Investors, Silver Lake Sumeru Investors or Shah Co-Investors shall be considered Affiliates of each other, and (iii) except with respect to Section 4.2(a) and Section 7.13, none of the Sponsor Investors shall be considered Affiliates of (A) any portfolio company in which any of the Sponsor Investors or any of their investment fund Affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa) or (B) any limited partners, non-managing members or other similar direct or indirect investors in any of the Sponsor Investors or their affiliated investment funds.

Aggregate Sponsor Ownership ” means the total number of Shares owned in the aggregate and without duplication by the Sponsors as of the date of such calculation.

Amended Credit Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as November 5, 2016, among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent, as it may be amended, supplemented, restated or modified from time to time.

Articles ” means the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company as in effect upon consummation of the Initial Public Offering.

beneficial ownership ” and “ beneficially own ” and similar terms have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided , however that (i) no party hereto shall be deemed to beneficially own any Securities of the Company held by any other party hereto solely by virtue of the provisions of this Agreement (other than this definition) and (ii) with respect to any Securities held by a party hereto that are exercisable for, convertible into or exchangeable for Shares upon delivery of consideration to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, such Shares shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned by such party unless, until and to the extent such Securities have been exercised, converted or exchanged and such consideration has been delivered by such party to the Company or such Subsidiary.

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Business Day ” means a day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks located in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

Change in Control ” means any transaction or series of related transactions (whether by merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation or sale or transfer of Securities or assets (including equity securities of the Subsidiaries) or otherwise) as a result of which any Person or group, within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act (other than the Sponsor Investors and their respective Affiliates, any group of which the foregoing are members and any other members of such a group), obtains ownership, directly or indirectly, of (i) Securities that represent more than 50% of the total voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Company or applicable successor entity or (ii) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

 

5


Code ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Demand Registration ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Director ” means any member of the Board.

Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement ” means the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, by and among the Company, the Sponsor Investors party thereto and the other signatories thereto, as it may be amended from time to time.

Equity Contribution Agreement ” means the Equity Contribution Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2011, between the Company and the Shah Investors, as it may be amended from time to time.

ERISA ” means the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Independent Director ” means a Director who, as of the date of such Director’s election or appointment and as of any other date on which the determination is being made, qualifies as an “Independent Director” for applicable rules of the Listing Exchange, as determined by the Board and (if such Director is to serve on the Audit Committee) under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, as well as any other requirement of the U.S. securities laws that is then applicable to the Company, as determined by the Board.

Initial Public Offering ” means the consummation of the underwritten initial public offering of the Shares that is registered under the Securities Act.

Investors ” means, collectively, (i) the Silver Lake Partners Investors, (ii) the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors, (iii) the Shah Co-Investors and (iv) any other Person that holds Securities and has become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Article V.

Investors Shareholders Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, and as amended by Amendment No. 2 to Investors Shareholder Agreement, dated as of [●], 2017, by and among the Company, the Sponsor Investors party thereto, the Warrant Investors and the other signatories thereto, as it may be amended from time to time.

IPO Date ” means the date on which the Initial Public Offering is consummated.

IPO Registration Statement ” means the initial registration statement filed under the Securities Act with respect to the Initial Public Offering.

Joinder Agreement ” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

6


Listing Exchange ” means the NASDAQ Global Market or other nationally recognized stock exchange or listing system, in each case on which the Shares are at any time listed or quoted.

Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Necessary Action ” means, with respect to a specified result, all actions necessary to cause such result, including (i) voting or providing a written consent or proxy with respect to the Securities, whether at any annual, special or extraordinary meeting, by written consent or otherwise, (ii) causing the adoption of shareholders resolutions and amendments to the Organizational Documents of the Company, (iii) causing members of the Board (to the extent such members were elected, nominated or designated by the Person obligated to undertake the Necessary Action) to act (subject to any applicable fiduciary duties) in a certain manner or causing them to be removed in the event they do not act in such a manner, (iv) executing agreements and instruments and (v) making, or causing to be made, with governmental, administrative or regulatory authorities, all filings, registrations or similar actions that are required to achieve such result.

Organizational Documents ” of any Person means the articles and/or memorandum of association, certificate of incorporation, certificate of organization, bylaws, partnership agreement, operating agreement, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership or other organizational or governing documents of such Person.

Permitted Transferee ” means: (i) with respect to each Sponsor Investor, such Sponsor Investor’s Affiliates, and (ii) with respect to each Shah Co-Investor, (A) if such Shah Co-Investor is not an individual, such Shah Co-Investor’s Affiliates, and (B) if such Shah Co-Investor is an individual, (1) any other Shah Investor, (2) any Person who takes from such Shah Co-Investor upon death by bequest, devise or descent, (3) the spouse and lineal descendants (including children by adoption and step children) of such Shah Co-Investor, (4) a trust or custodianship formed in connection with the bona fide estate planning activities of such Shah Co-Investor (x) the current, non-contingent beneficiaries of which may include only such Shah Co-Investor, and the spouse and lineal descendants (including children by adoption and step children) of such Shah Co-Investor, and (y) with respect to which such Shah Co-Investor is the sole trustee or custodian (or is a co-trustee or co-custodian along with such Shah Co-Investor’s spouse), or (5) any limited liability company or partnership (x) with respect to which at least eighty percent (80%) all of the outstanding equity interests are beneficially owned solely by such Shah Co-Investor, and/or the spouse and lineal descendants (including children by adoption and step children) of such Shah Co-Investor, (y) with respect to which such Shah Co-Investor, and/or any of the spouse and lineal descendants (including children by adoption and step children) of such Shah Co-Investor, are the sole managers or managing members (if a limited liability company) or directly or indirectly control the sole general partners (if a limited partnership) and otherwise have the sole power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies, directly or indirectly, of such limited liability company or partnership, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise and (z) which is not formed with the purpose or intent of circumventing the requirements of Section 3.2, Section 3.3 or Section 3.5.

 

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Person ” means an individual, any general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, business trust, joint stock company, joint venture, unincorporated association, cooperative or association or any other legal entity or organization of whatever nature, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity, or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

Piggyback Registration ” means an offering by the Company pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 2.3 of the Registration Rights Agreement.

Registration Rights Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, by and among the Company, the Sponsor Investors party thereto, the Shah Investors, the Warrant Investors party thereto and the other signatories thereto, as it may be amended from time to time.

Related Party Transaction ” means any agreement, contract or transaction between the Company or any of its controlled Affiliates, on the one hand, and any of the Sponsor Investors or their respective Affiliates, on the other hand; provided , that for purposes of this definition, the following will not be considered a “Related Party Transaction”: (a) any single transaction or series of related transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business of the Company or its Subsidiaries with a portfolio company of any of the Sponsor Investors or their respective Affiliates on arm’s-length terms, (b) indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or exculpation of liability made pursuant to the Organizational Documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, this Agreement or the Director Indemnification Agreements, (c) transactions where the interests of the Sponsor Investors or their Affiliates arise solely from their status as a holder of any class or series of securities of the Company and all other holders of such class or series receive the same benefit on a pro rata basis (such as dividends or distributions) and (d) any amendments, modifications or waivers to this Agreement, the Investors Shareholders Agreement or the Employee Shareholders Agreement in accordance with their respective terms; provided , that no such amendment, modification or waiver shall provide for the payment of any monitoring, transaction, management or other fees or payments by the Company (or its Subsidiaries) to any of the Sponsor Investors (or their Affiliates) (for the avoidance of doubt, it being understood that this proviso will not apply to payments to the Sponsor Investors or their Affiliates as consideration in respect of their Securities or any reimbursement of expenses of the Sponsor Investors or their Affiliates).

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act, as such provision is amended from time to time.

SEC ” means the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency.

Securities ” means any equity securities of the Company, including any Shares.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

 

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Shah Co-Investors ” means, collectively, the Shah Investors and any of their respective Affiliates, designated transferees or successors that hold Securities and have become parties to this Agreement pursuant to Article V.

Shares ” means the ordinary shares, par value $0.03 per share, of the Company.

Shelf Take-Down ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Silver Lake Partners Investors ” means, collectively, the SLP Investor, the SLP Co-Investor and any of their respective Affiliates, designated transferees or successors that hold Securities and have become parties to this Agreement pursuant to Article V.

Silver Lake Sumeru Investors ” means, collectively, the SLS Investor, the SLS Co-Investor and any of their respective Affiliates, designated transferees or successors that hold Securities and have become parties to this Agreement pursuant to Article V.

Sponsor Deadlock ” means, in the case of any specific action or decision that is submitted for the mutual consent or approval of the SLP Investor and SLS Investor in accordance with Section 2.2, (i) such action or decision is not approved by both the SLP Investor and SLS Investor (the Sponsor Investor who fails to provide any such approval, being referred to as the “ Disapproving Sponsor Investor ”) and (ii) on or after the first (1st) anniversary of the original submission of such action, such action continues to not be approved by the Disapproving Sponsor Investor and has not be withdrawn in writing by the submitting Sponsor Investor.

Sponsor Investors ” means, collectively, the Silver Lake Partners Investors and Silver Lake Sumeru Investors.

Subscription Agreement ” means each of the Subscription Agreements, dated as of August 26, 2011, between the Company and the SLP Investor, the SLP Co-Investor, the SLS Investor and the SLS Co-Investor, as applicable, as may be amended from time to time.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any entity of which (i) a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock or equivalent ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, trustees or other members of the applicable governing body thereof is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one (1) or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if no such governing body exists at such entity, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock or equivalent ownership interests of the entity is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one (1) or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or Control the managing member or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.

 

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Transferable Shares ” means (i) Shares and (ii) Shares issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any convertible debt security or preferred security that is currently exercisable for, convertible into or exchangeable for, as of the relevant date of determination, Shares.

Warrant Investors ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Investors Shareholders Agreement.

Section 1.2. Definitions Cross References . The following terms are defined in the corresponding Sections of this Agreement:

 

Term

  

Section

Agreement

   Preamble

Audit Committee

   Section 2.1(d)

Chosen Courts

   Section 7.4(a)

Company

   Preamble

Compensation Committee

   Section 2.1(d)

Control

   Section 1.1

Controlled Entities

   Section 6.1(a)

Director Indemnification Agreements

   Section 2.1(g)(iii)

Disapproving Sponsor Investor

   Section 1.1

Eligible Tag Sponsor

   Section 3.4(a)

Eligible Trade Sponsor

   Section 3.3(c)(iii)

First Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Period

   Section 3.3(a)(i)

Fund DIK

   Section 3.3(a)(ii)

Indemnification Sources

   Section 6.1(b)

Indemnified Liabilities

   Section 6.1(a)

Indemnitee-Related Party

   Section 6.1(b)(i)

Indemnitees

   Section 6.1(a)

Jointly Indemnifiable Claims

   Section 6.1(b)(ii)

Market Trade

   Section 3.3(a)(iii)

Market Trade Notice

   Section 3.3(c)(iii)

Market Trade Participation Notice

   Section 3.3(c)(iii)

Market Trade Percentage

   Section 3.3(c)(iii)

Market Trade Price Range

   Section 3.3(c)(iii)

Market Trade Shares

   Section 3.3(c)(iii)

Mr. Shah

   Preamble

Nominating Committee

   Section 2.1(d)

Prior Agreement

   Recitals

Private Sale

   Section 3.3(a)(iv)

Proposed Transferee

   Section 3.4(a)

Second Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Period

   Section 3.3(a)(v)

Selling Sponsor Investor

   Section 3.4(a)

Shah Fund 1

   Preamble

Shah Fund 3

   Preamble

Shah Fund 4

   Preamble

 

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Shah Investors

   Preamble

Shah Pro-Rata Share

   Section 3.5

Shah Trust

   Preamble

SLP Co-Investor

   Preamble

SLP Investor

   Preamble

SLS Co-Investor

   Preamble

SLS Investor

   Preamble

Sponsor Director

   Section 2.1(b)

Tag-Along Participation Notice

   Section 3.4(b)

Tag-Along Sale

   Section 3.4(a)

Tag-Along Sale Percentage

   Section 3.4(a)

Tag-Along Shares

   Section 3.4(a)

Tag-Along Sellers

   Section 3.4(b)

Tagging Sponsors

   Section 3.4(b)

Trade Participating Sponsors

   Section 3.3(c)(iii)

Trading Sponsor

   Section 3.3(b)(iii)

Transfer

   Section 3.1(a)

Transfer Notice

   Section 3.4(a)

Triggering Event

   Section 3.5

VCOC Investor

   Section 2.7(a)

Section 1.3. General Interpretive Principles . The name assigned to this Agreement and the section captions used herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not be construed to affect the meaning, construction or effect hereof. Unless otherwise specified, the terms “hereof,” “herein” and similar terms refer to this Agreement as a whole, and references herein to Articles or Sections refer to Articles or Sections of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the words, “include,” “includes” and “including,” when used herein, shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “dollars” and “$” shall mean United States dollars. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

GOVERNANCE

Section 2.1. Board of Directors .

(a) Size . From and after the IPO Date, the Board shall consist of eight (8) Directors; provided , that the Board shall further increase the number of Independent Directors to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law and the Listing Exchange rules (including as contemplated by Section 2.1(d)(i)), or as otherwise agreed by the Board, subject to the rights of the Sponsor Investors under Section 2.5(i).

 

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(b) Composition; Company Recommendation . Subject to Section 2.1(a), the Sponsor Investors shall have the right to nominate individuals for election to the Board (each, a “ Sponsor Director ”) as follows:

(i) So long as the Aggregate Sponsor Ownership is at least 50% of the Shares outstanding immediately following the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor Investors will be entitled to nominate five (5) Directors (inclusive of any Sponsor Investor nominees already on the Board);

(ii) So long as the Aggregate Sponsor Ownership is less than 50% but at least 35% of the Shares outstanding immediately following the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor Investors will be entitled to nominate four (4) Directors (inclusive of any Sponsor Investor nominees already on the Board);

(iii) So long as the Aggregate Sponsor Ownership is less than 35% but at least 20% of the Shares outstanding immediately following the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor Investors will be entitled to nominate three (3) Directors (inclusive of any Sponsor Investor nominees already on the Board);

(iv) So long as the Aggregate Sponsor Ownership is less than 20% but at least 10% of the Shares outstanding immediately following the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor Investors will be entitled to nominate two (2) Directors (inclusive of any Sponsor Investor nominees already on the Board); and

(v) So long as the Aggregate Sponsor Ownership is less than 10% but at least 5% of the Shares outstanding immediately following the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor Investors will be entitled to nominate one (1) Director (inclusive of any Sponsor Investor nominee already on the Board).

In connection with each election of Directors, the Company (A) shall nominate each nominee of the Sponsor Investors pursuant to Section 2.1(b) for election as a Director as part of the slate that is included in the proxy statement (or consent solicitation or similar document) of the Company relating to the election of Directors, (B) shall recommend the election of each such nominee to the shareholders of the Company and (C) without limiting the foregoing, shall provide at least as high a level of support for the election of each such nominee as it provides to any other individual standing for election as a Director as part of the Company’s slate of Directors. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that the failure of the shareholders of the Company to elect any Sponsor Director nominee shall not affect the right of the Sponsor Investors to designate any Sponsor Director nominee for election pursuant to this Section 2.1(b) in connection with any future election of Directors.

(c) Nominations . The initial Sponsor Director nominees are: Mr. Shah (whose initial term will expire in 2019), James Davidson (whose initial term will expire in 2020), Kenneth Hao (whose initial term will expire in 2020), Paul Mercadante (whose initial term will expire in 2020) and Jason White (whose initial term will expire in 2019). With respect to any Director to be nominated by the Sponsor Investors other than the initial Sponsor Directors listed above or the then-serving Sponsor Directors, the Sponsor Investors shall nominate their

 

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Director(s) by delivering to the Company their written statement at least 60 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the preceding annual meeting nominating their Director(s) and setting forth such Director(s)’ business address, telephone number, facsimile number and e-mail address; provided , that if the Sponsor Investors fail to deliver such written notice, the Sponsor Investors shall be deemed to have nominated the Director(s) previously nominated (or designated pursuant to this Section 2.1(c)).

(d) Committees . The Company shall establish and maintain an audit committee of the Board (the “ Audit Committee ”), a compensation committee of the Board (the “ Compensation Committee ”), a nominating and governance committee of the Board (the “ Nominating Committee ”), and such other Board committees as the Board deems appropriate from time to time or as may be required by applicable law or the Listing Exchange rules. The committees shall have such duties and responsibilities as are customary for such committees, subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

(i) Audit Committee . The Audit Committee shall initially consist of: Mukesh Patel, Jason White and Sandeep Nayyar, with Mr. Nayyar serving as Chairman. As and when required by law or by the rules of the Listing Exchange, the Board and/or the Company shall add additional Independent Directors. If required by the rules of the Listing Exchange, no later than the first anniversary of the effectiveness of the IPO Registration Statement, the Audit Committee shall consist of at least three (3) Independent Directors (at least one (1) of whom shall satisfy the “audit committee financial expert” requirements as such term is defined by Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K). Subject to Section 2.1(d)(iv), for so long as the Company maintains the Audit Committee, it shall consist of at least one (1) Sponsor Director (but only if the Sponsor Investors are then entitled to nominate at least one (1) Sponsor Director) who shall at all times meet the requirements of law and of the rules of the Listing Exchange.

(ii) Compensation and Nominating Committees . The Compensation Committee shall initially consist of: Mukesh Patel and Ajay Shah, with Mr. Shah serving as Chairman. The Nominating Committee shall initially consist of: Paul Mercadante, Sandeep Nayyar and Jason White, with Mr. White serving as its Chairman. Subject to Section 2.1(d)(iv), for so long as the Company maintains the Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee, such committees shall each consist of at least one (1) Sponsor Director (but only if the Sponsor Investors are then entitled to nominate at least one (1) Sponsor Director) who shall at all times meet the requirements of law and of the rules of the Listing Exchange.

(iii) Other Committees . Subject to Section 2.1(d)(iv), any committee of the Board not specified in Section 2.1(d)(i) or Section 2.1(d)(ii) shall consist of at least one (1) Sponsor Director (but only if the Sponsor Investors are then entitled to nominate at least one (1) Sponsor Director) and such additional members as may be determined by the Board.

 

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(iv) Modifications to Committees . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board (upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee) shall, only to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law or the Listing Exchange rules, modify the composition of any such committee to the extent required to comply with such applicable law or the Listing Exchange rules; provided , that if the Board shall establish a committee to consider a proposed transaction between any Sponsor Investor (or any of its Affiliates), on the one hand, and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, then the Directors nominated by such Sponsor Investor whose (or whose Affiliate’s) transaction is being considered by such committee shall be excluded from participation in such committee. If any vacant Director position on any committee of the Board results from the Sponsor Investors no longer being entitled to nominate at least one (1) Director, then such vacant position shall be filled by the Board upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee, in accordance with Section 2.1(f).

(e) Removal . Directors shall serve until their resignation or removal or until their successors are nominated. For the avoidance of doubt, if the number of Directors that the Sponsor Investors are entitled to nominate pursuant to Section 2.1(b) is reduced by one (1) or more Directors, then no such Director need resign from the Board prior to the end of his or her term.

(f) Vacancies . If any Director previously nominated by the Sponsor Investors dies or is unwilling or unable to serve as such or is otherwise removed or resigns from office, then the Sponsor Investors shall promptly nominate a successor to such Director, in accordance with this Section 2.1; but if the Sponsor Investors are no longer entitled to fill such vacant Director position(s), such vacant Director position(s) shall be filled by the Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee. If, subject to the rights of the Sponsor Investors under Section 2.5(i), the Board votes to increase the size of the Board (including as contemplated by Section 2.1(d)(i)), the vacant Director position(s) created as a result of such newly created directorship(s) shall be filled by the Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee. Any other vacant Director position(s) shall be filled by the Board, or the Board shall nominate a replacement Director, in each case, upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee, in accordance with the Articles.

(g) Other Board Governance Provisions . From and after the date hereof:

(i) Expense Reimbursement . The Company and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Directors for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at meetings of the Board or the board of Directors (or similar governing body) of any such Subsidiaries, and any committees thereof, including, without limitation, travel, lodging and meal expenses.

(ii) Insurance . The Company shall maintain customary director and officer indemnity insurance on commercially reasonable terms as determined by the Board, which, if the Sponsor Investors are entitled to nominate at least one (1) Director pursuant to Section 2.1(b), shall be reasonably acceptable to the Sponsor Investors.

(iii) Indemnification . In addition to any other indemnification rights that the Directors have pursuant to the Organizational Documents of the Company, each Sponsor Director, shall have the right to enter into, and the Company agrees (to the extent it has not already done so) to enter into, an indemnification agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto (the “ Director Indemnification Agreements ”).

 

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(iv) Subsidiaries . At the request of the Sponsor Investors and subject to applicable law, the Company shall cause the members of the board of directors or other similar governing body, and committees thereof, of any Subsidiary to comply with this Section 2.1 as if such Subsidiary were the Company.

(v) Extraordinary Meetings . If any Sponsor Director wishes to call a special or extraordinary meeting of the Board, the Company shall take all Necessary Action to cause the calling of such meeting.

Section 2.2. Sponsor Investor Actions . From and after the date hereof, any and all matters requiring the consent, approval, agreement, action, judgment, request, notification or determination of the (i) Sponsor Investors pursuant to this Agreement (including a transfer of Transferable Shares by any Sponsor Investor pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(ii)), (ii) “Silver Lake Investors” as defined in and pursuant to the Investors Shareholders Agreement and/or the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement, (iii) “Sponsor Holders” as defined in and pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and (iv) Sponsor Investors or their respective affiliates or designees pursuant to any other agreement requiring a similar consent, approval, agreement, action, judgment, request, notification or determination to the foregoing shall, in each case, require the written consent or approval of both the SLP Investor and SLS Investor in accordance with this Section 2.2; provided, however, that in the case of a Sponsor Deadlock with respect to the consent, approval, agreement, action, judgment, request, notification or determination of any of the foregoing matters, (A) such consent, approval, agreement, action, judgment, request, notification or determination may thereafter be unilaterally given by the SLP Investor and (B) such consent, approval, agreement, action, judgment, request, notification or determination of the SLP Investor pursuant to this Section 2.2 shall be binding on all of the other Investors and the Company. All of the Investors and the Company shall take or cause to be taken all Necessary Action in order to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, any matter approved by the Sponsor Investors pursuant to this Section 2.2 (whether following a Sponsor Deadlock or otherwise), including (i) executing, acknowledging and delivering consents, assignments, waivers and other documents or instruments and (ii) otherwise cooperating with the Silver Lake Investors and the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent that any of the foregoing matters (x) is a proposed amendment of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.7 or a proposed amendment of any of the Investors Shareholders Agreement, the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement in accordance with the respective terms thereof, in each case that, by its terms, would be materially and disproportionally adverse to one or more of the Sponsor Investors as compared to any of the other Sponsor Investors or (y) is a proposed termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.11 or a proposed termination of any of the Investors Shareholders Agreement, the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement in accordance with the terms respective thereof, such matter will require the mutual approval of all of the Sponsor Investors in all cases (regardless of any Sponsor Deadlock).

 

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Section 2.3. Voting Agreement . Each Sponsor Investor agrees, at any time it is then entitled to vote for the election of Directors to the Board, to take all Necessary Action, including casting all votes to which such Investor is entitled in respect of its Securities, whether at any annual, special or extraordinary meeting, by written consent or otherwise, so as to facilitate that the composition of the Board complies with (and includes all of the requisite nominees in accordance with) this Article II and to otherwise effect the intent of this Article II. Each Investor then entitled to vote for the election of any successor as a Director agrees to take all Necessary Action, including casting all votes to which such Investor is entitled in respect of its Securities whether at any annual, special or extraordinary meeting, by written consent or otherwise, so as to facilitate that any such successor determined in accordance with Section 2.1(f) is elected to the Board as promptly as practicable. Each Sponsor Investor agrees that if, at any time, it is then entitled to vote for the removal of Directors, it will not vote any of its Securities in favor of the removal of any director who shall have been nominated in accordance with Section 2.1, unless (i) the Person(s) entitled to nominate such Director shall have consented to such removal in writing, (ii) removal is compelled pursuant to Section 2.1(e) or (iii) the Person(s) entitled to nominate any Director pursuant to Section 2.1 shall request in writing the removal, with or without cause, of such Director (in which case, each such Investor shall vote its Securities in favor of such removal). Each Sponsor Investor agrees not to grant, or enter into a binding agreement with respect to, any proxy to any Person in respect of its Securities that would prohibit such Investor from casting votes in respect of such Securities in accordance with this Section 2.3.

Section 2.4. Controlled Company . The Sponsor Investors acknowledge and agree that, (i) by virtue of this Article II, they are acting as a “group” within the meaning of the Listing Exchange rules as of the date hereof, and (ii) by virtue of the combined voting power of Shares held by the Investors representing more than 50% of the total voting power of the Shares outstanding as of the IPO Date, the Company qualifies as of the IPO Date as a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Listing Exchange rules. So long as the Company qualifies as a “controlled company” for purposes of the Listing Exchange rules, the Company will elect to be a “controlled company” for purposes of the Listing Exchange rules, and will disclose in its annual meeting proxy statement that it is a “controlled company” and the basis for that determination.

Section 2.5. Certain Matters Requiring Consent of the Sponsor Investors . Subject to the Articles and applicable law, so long as the Aggregate Sponsor Ownership continues to be at least 25% of the aggregate number of Shares outstanding immediately following the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, the following actions by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall require the prior written consent of the Sponsor Investors):

(a) Change in Control . Entering into or effecting a Change in Control.

(b) Certain Acquisitions and Dispositions . Directly or indirectly, entering into or effecting any transaction or series of related transactions involving, or entering into any agreement providing for, (i) the purchase, lease, license, exchange or other acquisition by the Company or its Subsidiaries of any assets and/or equity securities for consideration having a fair market value (as reasonably determined by the Board) in excess of $5.0 million and/or (ii) the sale, lease, license, exchange or other disposal by the Company or its Subsidiaries of any assets

 

16


and/or equity securities having a fair market value or for consideration having a fair market value (in each case as reasonably determined by the Board) in excess of $5.0 million, in each case, other than transactions in the ordinary course of business or transactions solely between or among the Company and one (1) or more of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries.

(c) Certain Joint Ventures and Business Alliances . Directly or indirectly, entering into any joint venture or similar business alliance involving, or entering into any agreement providing for, the investment, contribution or disposition by the Company or its Subsidiaries of assets (including stock of Subsidiaries) having a fair market value (as reasonably determined by the Board) in excess of $5.0 million, other than transactions solely between or among the Company and one (1) or more of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries.

(d) Capital Expenditures . Incurring any capital expenditures in any fiscal year in excess of 10% over the amount of capital expenditures provided for in the annual budget for such fiscal year approved by the Board.

(e) Indebtedness . Incurring (or extending, supplementing or otherwise modifying any of the material terms of) any indebtedness for borrowed money (including any refinancing of existing indebtedness), assuming, guaranteeing, endorsing or otherwise as an accommodation becoming responsible for the obligations of any other Person (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), or entering into (or extending, supplementing or otherwise modifying any of the material terms of) any agreement under which the Company or any Subsidiary may incur indebtedness for borrowed money in the future, in any transaction or series of related transactions, other than a drawdown of amounts not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of revolving commitments under the Amended Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, the consent of the Sponsor Investors will not be required for entry by the Company or any Subsidiary into operating leases or purchase money arrangements in the ordinary course of business.

(f) Dissolution; Liquidation; Reorganization; Bankruptcy . Initiating a voluntary liquidation, dissolution, receivership, bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding involving the Company or any Subsidiary that is a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.

(g) Nature of Business . Making any material change in the nature of the business conducted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(h) CEO and CFO . Terminating the employment of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company or hiring a new Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as the case may be.

(i) Board Changes . Increasing or decreasing the size of the Board or otherwise changing its composition (other than as expressly permitted under this Article II).

(j) Related Party Transactions . Subject to Section 6.6 of the Investors Shareholders Agreement, any Related Party Transactions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.5(j), this Section 2.5(j) shall not restrict transactions pursuant to which an Investor or an Affiliate of an Investor avails itself of rights expressly provided to such

 

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Investor or its Affiliates (as applicable) in this Agreement or any transaction or agreement contemplated thereby, as any of the same may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with their terms (including indemnification rights provided by the Company or its Subsidiaries).

(k) Amending the Investors Shareholders Agreement or Executive Agreements . Amending or waiving any provision of the (i) Investors Shareholders Agreement or (ii) equity and/or employment agreements, contracts, awards and/or other arrangements, including the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement, between the Company, any of its Subsidiaries on the one hand, and executive officers of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, in the case of each of clause (i) and (ii), as in effect on the date hereof; provided , that the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply in respect of any amendment or waiver insofar as it relates to the voting or disposition of Shares or securities that are or could become convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, Shares.

(l) Operating Plan . Adopting or amending the annual operating plan of the Company.

(m) Delegation . Delegation of any of the actions set forth in Section 2.5(a) through (l) above to any committee of the Board.

Section 2.6. Additional Management Provisions .

(a) The Company and each Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Sponsor Directors may share confidential, non-public information about the Company and its Subsidiaries (including any materials received in their capacities as members of the Board or any other board of directors (or similar governing body) of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, except, in the case of any pending action, suit or proceeding, to the extent the sharing of such materials would be reasonably likely to result in the waiver or loss of attorney-client privilege) with the Sponsor Investors and their respective Affiliates, limited partners, members and direct and indirect investors, in each case, on a confidential basis.

(b) Except (i) to the extent resulting from the rights granted under this Agreement, the Investors Shareholders Agreement, the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, (ii) as required by applicable law and (iii) pursuant to authority granted to an individual as an officer or director of the Company or its Subsidiaries, no Investor (in its capacity as an Investor) shall have the authority to manage the business and affairs of the Company or contract for or incur on behalf of the Company any debts, liabilities or obligations, and no such action of an Investor will be binding on the Company.

Section 2.7. VCOC Investors .

(a) With respect to each Sponsor Investor and, at the request of any Sponsor Investor, each Affiliate thereof that directly or indirectly has an interest in the Company, in each case that is intended to qualify as a “venture capital operating company” as defined in the Plan Asset Regulations (each, a “ VCOC Investor ”), for so long as the VCOC Investor, directly or through one (1) or more conduit subsidiaries, continues to hold any Transferable Shares, in each

 

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case, without limitation or prejudice of any the rights provided to any of the Sponsor Investors hereunder, the Company shall, with respect to each such VCOC Investor:

(i) provide such VCOC Investor or its designated representative with the following:

(A) the right to visit and inspect any of the offices and properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries and inspect and copy the books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries, at such times as the VCOC Investor shall reasonably request;

(B) as soon as available and in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of each of the first three (3) quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such period, and consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the period then ended, in each case prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis, except as otherwise noted therein, and subject to the absence of footnotes and to year-end adjustments;

(C) as soon as available and in any event within one-hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such year, and consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the year then ended prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis, except as otherwise noted therein, together with an auditor’s report thereon of a firm of established national reputation;

(D) to the extent the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is required by law or pursuant to the terms of any outstanding indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary to prepare such reports, any annual reports, quarterly reports and other periodic reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, actually prepared by the Company or such Subsidiary as soon as available; and

(E) copies of all materials provided to the Board at substantially the same time as provided to the members of the Board and, if requested, copies of the materials provided to the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of any Subsidiary of the Company; provided , that the Company or such Subsidiary shall be entitled to exclude portions of such materials to the extent providing such portions would be reasonably likely to result in the waiver of attorney-client privilege.

 

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(ii) make appropriate officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries and members of the Board available periodically and at such times as reasonably requested by such VCOC Investor for consultation with such VCOC Investor or its designated representative with respect to matters relating to the business and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including significant changes in management personnel and compensation of employees, introduction of new products or new lines of business, important acquisitions or dispositions of plants and equipment, significant research and development programs, the purchasing or selling of important trademarks, licenses or concessions or the proposed commencement or compromise of significant litigation;

(iii) to the extent consistent with applicable law (and with respect to events which require public disclosure, only following the Company’s public disclosure thereof through applicable securities law filings or otherwise), inform the VCOC Investor or its designated representative in advance with respect to any significant corporate actions, including extraordinary dividends, mergers, amalgamations, acquisitions or dispositions of assets, issuances of significant amounts of debt or equity and material amendments to the Organizational Documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and to provide the VCOC Investor or its designated representative with the right to consult with the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to such actions, should the VCOC Investor elect to do so; and

(iv) provide such VCOC Investor or its designated representative with such other rights of consultation which such VCOC Investor’s counsel may determine to be reasonably necessary under applicable legal authorities promulgated after the date hereof to qualify its investment in the Company as a “venture capital investment” for purposes of the Plan Assets Regulation.

(b) The Company agrees to consider, in good faith, the recommendations of each VCOC Investor or its designated representative in connection with the matters on which it is consulted as described above, recognizing that the ultimate discretion with respect to all such matters shall be retained by the Company.

ARTICLE III

TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

Section 3.1. General Restrictions on Transfers .

(a) No Investor may, directly or indirectly, sell, exchange, assign, pledge, hypothecate, gift or otherwise transfer, dispose of or encumber, in each case, whether in its own right or by its representative and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law (any of the foregoing shall be deemed included in the term “ transfer ” as used in this Agreement) any Securities or any legal, economic or beneficial interest in any Securities unless (i) such transfer of Securities is made in compliance with the provisions of this Article III and any other agreement applicable to the transfer of such Securities and (ii) in the case of a Permitted Transferee, such Permitted Transferee agrees to become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Article V hereof and executes a Joinder Agreement and such further documents as may be necessary, in the reasonable judgment of the Sponsor Investors, to make him, her or it a party hereto. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that a transfer of limited partnership interests, limited liability company interests or similar interests in any of the Sponsor Investors, any other private equity fund or any parent entity with respect to any such Sponsor Investor or private equity fund shall not constitute a transfer for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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(b) Any purported transfer of Securities or any interest in any Securities by any Investor that is not in compliance with this Agreement shall be null and void, and the Company shall refuse to recognize any such transfer for any purpose and shall not reflect in its register of members or otherwise any change in record ownership of Securities pursuant to any such transfer.

(c) Each Investor acknowledges that the Shares held by such Investor have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be transferred except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Each Investor agrees that it will not transfer any Shares at any time if such action would (i) constitute a violation of any securities laws of any applicable jurisdiction or a breach of the conditions to any exemption from registration of Shares under any such laws or a breach of any undertaking or agreement of such Investor entered into pursuant to such laws or in connection with obtaining an exemption thereunder, (ii) cause the Company to become subject to the registration requirements of the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, or (iii) be a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or cause all or any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute “plan assets” for purposes of fiduciary responsibility or prohibited transaction provisions of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. Each Investor agrees it shall not be entitled to any certificate for any or all of the Shares, unless the Board shall otherwise determine.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.4(b) or in any other applicable agreement between an Investor (or any of its Affiliates) and the Company, any Investor that proposes to transfer Transferable Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof shall be responsible for any fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with such transfer.

Section 3.2. Permitted Transfers . Each Investor may transfer Transferable Shares held by him, her or it to a Permitted Transferee without complying with the provisions of this Article III other than Section 3.1; provided that (i) such Permitted Transferee shall have agreed with all parties hereto, in a written instrument reasonably satisfactory to the Sponsor Investors, that he, she or it will immediately convey record and beneficial ownership of all such Transferable Shares and all rights and obligations hereunder to such Investor or another Permitted Transferee of such Investor if he, she or it ceases to be a Permitted Transferee of such Investor and (ii) as a condition to such transfer, such Permitted Transferee shall become a party to this Agreement as provided in Section 3.1(a).

Section 3.3. Post-Initial Public Offering Transfers .

(a) Certain Definitions . As used in this Section 3.3:

(i) “ First Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Period ” means the period beginning at the end of the expiration of the lock up restrictions agreed to by the Sponsor Investors and the underwriters in respect of the Transferable Shares held by the Sponsor Investors in connection with the Initial Public Offering and ending on the three (3) year anniversary of the Initial Public Offering.

 

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(ii) “ Fund DIK ” means a transfer by any Sponsor Investor of any Transferrable Shares as a dividend or distribution in kind to any limited partner, non-managing member or other similar direct or indirect investor in such Sponsor Investor.

(iii) “ Market Trade ” means a transfer by any Sponsor Investor of any Transferable Shares (including a block transfer) effected via registered public offering or under Rule 144 through a securities exchange or national quotation system or through a broker, dealer or other market maker, in a manner in which the identity of the purchaser, other than the broker, dealer or market maker through which such sale is being effected, has not been designated by the seller and is effected in a manner through which the identity of the purchaser cannot or would not customarily be available to such seller, including in each case, in a registered transaction pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

(iv) “ Private Sale ” means a transfer by any Sponsor Investor of any Transferrable Shares to a specific, known Person (other than a Permitted Transferee) in a privately negotiated transaction or series of transactions with such Person, including in a registered transaction pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

(v) “ Second Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Period ” means the period from and after the end of the First Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Period.

(b) Transfers During the First Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Period . Without limiting Section 3.1 and subject to Section 3.5 in the case of the Shah Investors, during the First Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Period, each of the Investors shall not transfer any Securities to any Person, except:

(i) each Investor shall be entitled to transfer Transferable Shares to Permitted Transferees pursuant to Section 3.2;

(ii) a Private Sale by any Sponsor Investor with the prior consent of the other Sponsor Investors pursuant to Section 2.2 (which consent may be subject to participation in the transfer); provided that in the event any such proposed Private Sale follows a Sponsor Deadlock pursuant to Section 2.2, such proposed Private Sale (other than in a Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down, it being understood that participation rights in connection with transfers of Transferable Securities in a Private Sale pursuant to a Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Marketed Underwritten Shelf-Take Down shall be governed by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement) shall be subject to the Selling Sponsor Investor’s compliance with terms and conditions of Section 3.4;

(iii) a Market Trade by any Sponsor Investor (the “ Trading Sponsor ”) with the prior consent of the other Sponsor Investors pursuant to Section 2.2; provided that in the event any such proposed Market Trade (other than in a Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down, it being understood

 

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that participation rights in connection with transfers of Transferable Securities in a Market Trade pursuant to a Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Marketed Underwritten Shelf-Take Down shall be governed by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement) follows a Sponsor Deadlock pursuant to Section 2.2, such proposing Trading Sponsor shall comply with the terms and conditions of Section 3.3(c)(iii) as if such proposed Market Trade occurred during the Second Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Period;

(iv) transfers of Transferable Shares by Tagging Sponsors pursuant to Section 3.4;

(v) a Fund DIK by any Sponsor Investor with the prior consent of the other Sponsor Investors pursuant to Section 2.2; provided that following (A) receipt of such prior consent of the other Sponsor Investors or (B) a Sponsor Deadlock, in each case pursuant to Section 2.2, the Company will reasonably cooperate with and assist such Sponsor Investor, limited partner, non-managing member or other similar direct or indirect investor in such Sponsor Investor and the Company’s transfer agent to facilitate such Fund DIK in the manner reasonably requested by such Sponsor Investor (including the delivery of instruction letters by the Company or its counsel to the Company’s transfer agent and the delivery of Transferable Shares); and

(vi) in the case of the Shah Co-Investors, transfers of Transferable Shares pursuant to Section 3.5.

(c) Transfers During the Second Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Period . Without limiting Section 3.1, during Second Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Period, each of the Investors shall not transfer any Securities to any Person, except:

(i) each Investor shall be entitled to transfer Transferable Shares to Permitted Transferees pursuant to Section 3.2;

(ii) a Private Sale by any Sponsor Investor; provided that any such proposed Private Sale (other than in a Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down, it being understood that participation rights in connection with transfers of Transferable Shares in a Private Sale pursuant to a Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Marketed Underwritten Shelf-Take Down shall be governed by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement) shall be subject to the Selling Sponsor Investor’s compliance with terms and conditions of Section 3.4;

(iii) a Market Trade by any Trading Sponsor; provided , that for any Market Trade (other than in a Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down, it being understood that participation rights in connection with transfers of Transferable Shares in a Market Trade pursuant to a Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Marketed Underwritten Shelf-Take Down shall be governed by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement): (i) the Trading Sponsor shall give written notice (a “ Market Trade Notice ”) of its intention to place an order to execute such proposed Market Trade to the other Sponsor Investors (such other Sponsor Investors, the “ Eligible Trade Sponsors ”) least eight (8) hours prior to the consummation

 

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of such order, setting forth (A) the number of Transferable Shares proposed to be sold in such Market Trade, (B) the maximum and minimum anticipated price per Transferable Shares proposed to be sold in such Market Trade (the “ Market Trade Price Range ”), (C) the fraction, expressed as a percentage, determined by dividing the number of Transferable Shares proposed to sold by the Trading Sponsor in such Market Trade by the total number of Transferable Shares held by the Trading Sponsor (the “ Market Trade Percentage ”) and (D) an invitation to each Eligible Trade Sponsor to irrevocably agree (except as hereinafter provided) to include in the Market Trade a number of Transferable Shares held by such Eligible Trade Sponsor equal to the product of the total number of Transferable Shares held by such Eligible Trade Sponsor multiplied by the Market Trade Percentage (such amount with respect to each Eligible Trade Sponsor, such Eligible Trade Sponsor’s “ Market Trade Shares ”); (ii) each Eligible Trade Sponsor may irrevocably elect (except as hereinafter provided) to include such Eligible Trade Sponsor’s Market Trade Shares in such Market Trade (Eligible Trade Sponsors who make such an election being “ Trade Participating Sponsors ”), at the same price per Transferable Share within the Market Trade Price Range and pursuant to the same terms and conditions as agreed to by the Trading Sponsor and otherwise in accordance with this Section 3.3(c)(iii), by sending an irrevocable written notice (a “ Market Trade Participation Notice ”) to the Trading Sponsor within four (4) hours of the receipt of the Market Trade Notice, indicating such Trade Participating Sponsor’s irrevocable election to include its Market Trade Shares in the Market Trade within the Market Trade Price Range; (iii) following such four (4) hour period, each Trade Participating Sponsor that has delivered a Market Trade Participation Notice shall be entitled to sell such Trade Participating Sponsor’s Market Trade Shares on the same terms and conditions as and concurrently with the Trading Sponsor in such Market Trade within the Market Trade Price Range; provided , however , that if, prior to consummation, the terms of such proposed Market Trade shall change with the result that the price per Transferable Shares shall be less than the minimum price set forth in the Market Trade Price Range, it shall be necessary for a separate Market Trade Notice to be furnished, and the terms and provisions of this Section 3.3(c)(iii) separately complied with, in order to consummate such Market Trade pursuant to this Section 3.3(c)(iii); and provided , further , that in order to be entitled to exercise its right to include Market Trade Shares in a Market Trade pursuant to this Section 3.3(c)(iii), (A) each Trade Participating Sponsor must agree to make the same representations, warranties covenants, indemnities and agreements in the Market Trade, if applicable, as made by the Trading Sponsor in connection with the Market Trade, and (B) each Trade Participating Sponsor shall take or cause to be taken all such reasonable actions as the Trading Sponsor deems to be necessary or desirable in order to consummate expeditiously such Market Trade (it being understood that all determinations as to whether to complete any Market Trade and as to the timing, manner, price and other terms and conditions of any such Market Trade shall be at the sole discretion of the Trading Sponsor, and the Trading Sponsor and its Affiliates shall have no liability to any Eligible Trade Sponsor arising from, relating to or in connection with the pursuit, consummation, postponement, abandonment or terms and conditions of any proposed Market Trade except to the extent such Trading Sponsor failed to comply with the provisions of this Section 3.3(c)(iii));

 

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(iv) transfers of Transferable Shares by Tagging Sponsors pursuant to Section 3.4;

(v) a Fund DIK by any Sponsor Investor; provided that such Sponsor Investor shall give written notice of such Fund DIK to the other Sponsor Investors at least three (3) Business Days prior to the consummation of such Fund DIK, setting forth the number of Transferrable Shares proposed to be transferred in such Fund DIK; and provided , further , that if any Sponsor Investors seeks to effectuate a Fund DIK in accordance with the foregoing, the Company will reasonably cooperate with and assist such Sponsor Investor, limited partner, non-managing member or other similar direct or indirect investor in such Sponsor Investor and the Company’s transfer agent to facilitate such Fund DIK in the manner reasonably requested by such Sponsor Investor (including the delivery of instruction letters by the Company or its counsel to the Company’s transfer agent and the delivery of Transferable Shares); and

(vi) in the case of the Shah Co-Investors, transfers of Transferable Shares pursuant to Section 3.5.

Section 3.4. Tag-Along Rights .

(a) Subject to Section 3.4(e), if any Sponsor Investor proposes to transfer any Transferrable Shares to any Person (other than a Permitted Transferee) (i) during the First Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Period in a Private Sale pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(ii) or (ii) during the Second Post-IPO Transfer Restriction period in a Private Sale pursuant to Section 3.3(c)(ii) (each a “ Tag-Along Sale ”), such Sponsor Investor (the “ Selling Sponsor Investor ”) shall give, or direct the Company to give and the Company shall so give, written notice (a “ Transfer Notice ”) of such proposed transfer to the other Sponsor Investors (such other Sponsor Investors, the “ Eligible Tag Sponsors ”) with respect to such Tag-Along Sale at least three (3) Business Days prior to the consummation of such proposed transfer setting forth (1) the number of Transferable Shares proposed to be transferred, (2) the consideration to be received for such Transferable Shares by such Selling Sponsor Investor, (3) the identity of the purchaser (the “ Proposed Transferee ”), (4) any other material terms and conditions of the proposed transfer, (5) the fraction, expressed as a percentage, determined by dividing the number of Transferable Shares to be purchased from the Selling Sponsor Investor by the total number of Transferable Shares held by the Selling Sponsor Investor (the “ Tag-Along Sale Percentage ”) and (6) an invitation to each Eligible Tag Sponsor to irrevocably agree to include in the Tag-Along Sale a number of Transferable Shares held by such Eligible Tag Sponsor equal to the product of the total number of Transferable Shares held by such Eligible Tag Sponsor multiplied by the Tag-Along Sale Percentage (such amount with respect to each Eligible Tag Sponsor, such Eligible Tag Sponsor’s “ Tag-Along Shares ”). In the event that more than one (1) Silver Lake Partners Investor proposes to execute a Tag-Along Sale, then all such transferring Silver Lake Partners Investors shall be treated as the Selling Sponsor Investor, and the Transferable Shares held and to be transferred by such Silver Lake Partners Investors shall be aggregated as set forth in Section 7.15, including for purposes of calculating the applicable Tag-Along Sale Percentage. In the event that more than one (1) Silver Lake Sumeru Investor proposes to execute a Tag-Along Sale, then all such transferring Silver Lake Sumeru Investors shall be treated as the Selling Sponsor Investor, and the Transferable Shares held and to be transferred by such Silver Lake Sumeru Investors shall be aggregated as set forth in Section 7.15, including for purposes of calculating the applicable Tag-Along Sale Percentage (in all cases subject to Section 3.5).

 

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(b) Upon delivery of a Transfer Notice, each Eligible Tag Sponsor may irrevocably elect to include such Eligible Tag Sponsor’s Tag-Along Shares in such Tag-Along Sale (Eligible Tag Sponsors who make such an election being “ Tagging Sponsors, ” and, together with the Selling Sponsor Investor and all other Persons (other than any Affiliates of the Selling Sponsor Investor) who otherwise are transferring, or have exercised a contractual or other right to transfer, Transferable Shares in connection with such Tag-Along Sale, the “ Tag-Along Sellers ”), at the same price per Transferable Share and pursuant to the same terms and conditions as agreed to by the Selling Sponsor Investor and otherwise in accordance with this Section 3.4, by sending an irrevocable written notice (a “ Tag-Along Participation Notice ”) to the Selling Sponsor Investor within two (2) Business Days of the date of the Transfer Notice indicating such Tagging Sponsor’s irrevocable election to include its Tag-Along Shares in the Tag-Along Sale. Following such two (2) Business Day period, each Tagging Sponsor that has delivered a Tag-Along Participation Notice shall be entitled to sell to such Proposed Transferee on the same terms and conditions as and, concurrently with, the Selling Sponsor Investor and the other Tag-Along Sellers, such Tagging Sponsor’s Tag-Along Shares. Each Eligible Tag Sponsor who does not deliver a Tag-Along Participation Notice within such two (2) Business Day period shall have waived and be deemed to have waived all of such Eligible Tag Sponsor’s rights with respect to such Tag-Along Sale. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that in order to be entitled to exercise its right to include Tag-Along Shares in a Tag-Along Sale pursuant to this Section 3.4, each Tagging Sponsor must agree to make the same representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and agreements to the Proposed Transferee as made by the Selling Sponsor Investor in connection with the Tag-Along Sale. All costs and expenses incurred by the Company and the Tag-Along Sellers in connection with such Tag-Along Sale shall be borne on a pro rata basis in accordance with the number of Transferable Shares being sold by each of the Tag-Along Sellers. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Selling Sponsor Investor has not completed the proposed Tag-Along Sale within ninety (90) days following delivery of the Transfer Notice in accordance with this Section 3.4, the Selling Sponsor Investor may not then effect such proposed Tag-Along Sale without again complying with the provisions of this Section 3.4; provided , that such ninety (90) day period shall be extended for up to one-hundred and eighty (180) days to the extent necessary to comply with any regulatory requirements applicable to such proposed Tag-Along Sale.

(c) Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.4(b) to the contrary, each Tagging Sponsor shall take or cause to be taken all such reasonable actions as the Selling Sponsor Investor deems to be necessary or desirable in order to consummate expeditiously such Tag-Along Sale pursuant to this Section 3.4, including (i) executing, acknowledging and delivering consents, assignments, waivers and other documents or instruments, (ii) filing applications, reports, returns, filings and other documents or instruments with governmental authorities and (iii) otherwise cooperating with the Selling Sponsor Investor and the Proposed Transferee.

(d) Notwithstanding the delivery of any Transfer Notice, all determinations as to whether to complete any Tag-Along Sale and as to the timing, manner, price and other terms and conditions of any such Tag-Along Sale shall be at the sole discretion of the Selling Sponsor Investor, and the Selling Sponsor Investor and its Affiliates shall have no liability to any Eligible

 

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Tag Sponsor arising from, relating to or in connection with the pursuit, consummation, postponement, abandonment or terms and conditions of any proposed Tag-Along Sale except to the extent such Selling Sponsor Investor failed to comply with the provisions of this Section 3.4.

(e) This Section 3.4 shall not apply to (i) any transfer in a Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down, it being understood that participation rights in connection with transfers of Transferable Shares in a Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Marketed Underwritten Shelf-Take Down shall be governed by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, (ii) any transfer of Transferable Shares in a Market Trade, it being understood that participation rights in connection with transfers of Transferable Shares in a Market Trade shall be governed by the terms of Section 3.3(b)(iii) hereof or (iii) any transfers to a Permitted Transferee.

(f) This Section 3.4 shall terminate at the end of the Second Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Period.

Section 3.5. Shah Co-Investor Transfers . It is the intention of the parties hereto that, other than with respect to transfers of Transfer Shares pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(i), (x) the Shah Co-Investors shall be required to participate in transfers to third parties alongside the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors on a pro-rata basis and be treated as one holder with the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors for such purposes in a manner that would not increase the number of shares to be transferred and (y) the Shah Co-Investors shall not otherwise be permitted to transfer Transferable Shares. Accordingly, to the extent that any of the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors transfer any Transferable Shares during the Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Period pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(ii) Section 3.3(b)(iii), Section 3.3(b)(iv), Section 3.3(c)(ii), Section 3.3(c)(iii) or Section 3.3(c)(iv), (a) the Transferable Shares held by the Shah Co-Investors shall be aggregated together with the Transferable Shares held by such transferring Silver Lake Sumeru Investors for the purpose of determining the number of shares deemed to be owned by the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors, the availability of any rights under and the application of any limitations of such transfer by the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors (including the total number of shares that may be collectively transferred by the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors), (b) each Shah Co-Investor shall be required to transfer, on the same terms and conditions as the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors in any such transaction, a number of Transferable Shares held by such Shah Co-Investor equal to the product of the total number of Transferable Shares held by such Shah Co-Investor multiplied by the fraction, expressed as a percentage, determined by dividing the number of Transferable Shares proposed to be transferred by the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors in such transaction by the total number of Transferable Shares held by the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors (the “Shah Pro-Rata Share”), (c) following such allocation, the number of Transferable Shares proposed to be transferred by the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors shall be correspondingly reduced by the Shah Pro-Rata Share and (d) each Shah Co-Investor shall take any and all actions as required by, or otherwise taken by, the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors in any such transfer pursuant to the foregoing provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any of the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors are transferring any Transferable Shares pursuant to such Silver Lake Sumeru Investor’s rights pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, it is the intention of the parties hereto that the Shah Co-Investors shall be required to participate in such transfer alongside the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors on a pro-rata basis in accordance with the foregoing provisions, and shall exercise such rights as a “Holder” thereunder in any transfer in a Demand Registration,

 

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Piggyback Registration or Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down in a manner consistent with the foregoing. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties hereto agree that the Shah Co-Investors may allocate the Transferable Shares held by the Shah Co-Investors to be included in any such transfer in accordance with the foregoing amongst the various Shah Co-Investors in their sole discretion so long as the Shah Pro-Rata Share is satisfied. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time from Ajay B. Shah ceases to be a Managing Member of SLTA Sumeru (GP), L.L.C. (the “ Triggering Event ”), the (i) the provisions of this Article III shall cease to apply to the Shah Co-Investors and (ii) by virtue of this Agreement, each of the Shah Co-Investors shall automatically (x) bound by and comply with the provisions of Article III of the Investors Shareholders Agreement as a “Management Investor” in all respects as if such Shah Co-Investor executed the Investors Shareholders Agreement directly as a “Management Investor and (y) constitute a “Key Management Investor” for purposes of Section 3.4 of the Investors Shareholders Agreement, and be bound and comply with the provisions of Section 3.4 of the Investors Shareholders Agreement as if such Shah Co-Investor was listed on Exhibit C to the Investors Shareholders Agreement as a “Key Management Investor”; provided , that for purposes of Section 3.4 of the Investors Shareholders Agreement, it is the parties intention that (I) the Applicable Transfer Cap (as defined therein), and the respective First, Second and Third Period Caps therein (each as defined therein) shall only account for the periods from and after the Triggering Event, and (II) to the extent that the Triggering Event occurs during the Second Period or Third Period (each as defined therein), the proviso in the definition of the Second Period Cap or Third Period Cap (as applicable) shall be modified so that the 20% allotted to such period shall be pro-rata reduced to effect for the number of days that have already expired during such period through the Triggering Event.

ARTICLE IV

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

Section 4.1. Further Assurances . From time to time, at the reasonable request of any Sponsor Investor and without further consideration, each party hereto shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such further action as may be necessary or appropriate to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.2. Other Businesses; Waiver of Certain Duties .

(a) The parties expressly acknowledge and agree that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (i) each of the Sponsor Investors and Shah Co-Investors (including, as applicable, (A) its respective Affiliates, (B) any portfolio company in which it or any of its investment fund Affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa) or (C) any of its limited partners, non-managing members or other similar direct or indirect investors) and Sponsor Directors has the right to, and shall have no duty (fiduciary, contractual or otherwise) not to, directly or indirectly engage in and possess interests in other business ventures of every type and description, including those engaged in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or deemed to be competing with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on its own account, or in partnership with, or as an employee, officer, director or shareholder of any other Person, with no obligation to offer to the

 

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Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any other Sponsor Investor, Shah Co-Investor or any other shareholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries the right to participate therein; (ii) each of the Sponsor Investors and Shah Co-Investors (including, as applicable, (A) its respective Affiliates, (B) any portfolio company in which it or any of its investment fund Affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa) or (C) any of its limited partners, non-managing members or other similar direct or indirect investors) and the Sponsor Directors may invest in, or provide services to, any Person that directly or indirectly competes with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (iii) in the event that any of the Sponsor Investors or Shah Co-Investors (including, as applicable, (A) its respective Affiliates, (B) any portfolio company in which it or any of its investment fund Affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa) or (C) any of its limited partners, non-managing members or other similar direct or indirect investors) or any Sponsor Director acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate or other business opportunity for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, such Person shall have no duty (fiduciary, contractual or otherwise) to communicate or present such corporate opportunity to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any other Sponsor Investor, Shah Co-Investor or any other shareholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, and, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, shall not be liable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any other Sponsor Investor, Shah Co-Investor or any other shareholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or their respective Affiliates) for breach of any duty (fiduciary, contractual or otherwise) by reason of the fact that such Person, directly or indirectly, pursues or acquires such opportunity for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person or does not present such opportunity to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any other Sponsor Investor, Shah Co-Investor or any other shareholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or their respective Affiliates). For the avoidance of doubt, the parties acknowledge that this paragraph is intended to disclaim and renounce, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the matters set forth in herein, and this paragraph shall be construed to effect such disclaimer and renunciation to the full extent permitted by law.

(b) Each Investor (for itself and on behalf of the Company) hereby, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:

(i) confirms that none of the Sponsor Investors nor Shah Co-Investors nor any of their respective Affiliates have any duty to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to any other Sponsor Investor, Shah Co-Investor or any other shareholder of the Company other than the specific covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement;

(ii) acknowledges and agrees that (A) in the event of any conflict of interest between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and a Sponsor Investor or Shah Co-Investor or any of their respective Affiliates, on the other hand, the applicable Sponsor Investor or Shah Co-Investor (or any Sponsor Director acting in his or her capacity as a director) may act in its best interest and (B) none of the Sponsor Investors nor Shah Co-Investors nor any of their respective Affiliates nor any Sponsor Director acting in his or her capacity as a director shall be obligated (1) to reveal to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries confidential information belonging to or relating to the business of such Person or any of its Affiliates or (2) to recommend or take any action in its capacity as a shareholder or director, as the case may be, that prefers the interest of the Company or its Subsidiaries over the interest of such Person; and

 

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(iii) waives any claim or cause of action against the Sponsor Investors, the Shah Co-Investors, any Sponsor Director and any officer, employee, agent or Affiliate of any such Person that may from time to time arise in respect of a breach by any such person of any duty or obligation disclaimed under Section 4.2(b)(i) or Section 4.2(b)(ii).

(c) Each of the parties hereto agrees that the waivers, limitations, acknowledgments and agreements set forth in this Section 4.2 shall not apply to any alleged claim or cause of action against any of the Sponsor Investors or Shah Co-Investors based upon the breach or nonperformance by such Sponsor Investor or Shah Co-Investor of this Agreement or any other agreement to which such Person is a party.

(d) The provisions of this Section 4.2, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of the Sponsor Investors, the Shah Co-Investors or any Sponsor Director otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Sponsor Investors, the Shah Co-Investors or any Sponsor Director to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

Section 4.3. Confidentiality . Any information relating to any exercise of rights under this Agreement shall be confidential and no party to this Agreement shall disclose such information to any Person not a party to this Agreement, except (a) in the case of each of the Sponsor Investors, to such Sponsor Investor’s partners, members, employees, trustees, Affiliates and investment vehicles managed or advised by such Sponsor Investor or the partners, members, advisors, employees, agents, accountants, trustee or attorneys of such Affiliates or managed or advised investment vehicles, in each case so long as such Persons agree to keep such information confidential, (b) to such party’s advisors, agents, accountants and attorneys, in each case so long as such Persons agree to keep such information confidential, (c) to a Permitted Transferee or other transferee pursuant to a transfer by any Investor in accordance with Article III, (d) as may be required by applicable law (including under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act), this Agreement, exchange listing requirements, in connection with any litigation among the parties hereto or to negotiate and effect a transfer permitted under this Agreement and (e) following public disclosure of such information not in violation of this Agreement.

Section 4.4. Cooperation .

(a) In the event of any merger, amalgamation, statutory share exchange or other business combination or reorganization of the Company, on the one hand, with any of its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, in which the Company is not the surviving entity, the Investors shall, to the extent necessary, as determined by the Sponsor Investors (in accordance with Section 2.2), execute a sponsor shareholders agreement with terms that are substantially equivalent (to the extent practicable) to, mutatis mutandis , the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(b) In connection with any proposed transaction contemplated by Section 4.4(a), each Investor shall take such actions as may be reasonably required and otherwise cooperate in good faith with the Company and the other Investors, including taking all actions reasonably requested by the Company or the Sponsor Investors (in accordance with Section 2.2) and executing and delivering all agreements, instruments and documents as may be reasonably required in order to consummate any such proposed transaction contemplated by Section 4.4(a).

(c) Each Investor agrees, to the extent practicable and as requested by the Sponsor Investors (in accordance with Section 2.2), to use reasonable efforts to take or avoid taking (as applicable) actions that would potentially cause liability to the Company or any Investor under Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To the extent that the Company or any Investor determines that it is obligated to make filings under Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, each Investor agrees to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Person that determines that it has such a filing obligation, including by promptly providing information reasonably required by such Person for any such filing.

ARTICLE V

ADDITIONAL PARTIES

Section 5.1. Additional Parties . Additional parties may be added to and be bound by and receive the benefits and be subject to the obligations provided by this Agreement upon the signing and delivery of a Joinder Agreement by such additional party and this Agreement may be further amended in accordance with Section 7.7(a) to reflect the rights and obligations of such additional party.

ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 6.1. Indemnification of Investors .

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries and any other exempted companies, corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, employee benefit plans or other enterprises controlled by the Company (collectively, the “ Controlled Entities ”) to, indemnify, exonerate and hold the Investors and each of their respective partners, shareholders, members, Affiliates, directors, officers, fiduciaries, managers, Controlling Persons, employees and agents and each of the partners, shareholders, members, Affiliates, directors, officers, fiduciaries, managers, Controlling Persons, employees and agents of each of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Indemnitees ”) free and harmless from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, liabilities, losses, damages and costs and out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them before or after the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “ Indemnified Liabilities ”), arising out of any action, cause of action, suit, arbitration or claim arising directly or indirectly out of, or in any way relating to, (i) such Investor’s or its Affiliates’ ownership of Securities or such Investor’s or its Affiliates’ control or ability to influence the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any such Indemnified Liabilities (x) to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities arise out of any willful breach of this Agreement by such Indemnitee or its Affiliates or other related

 

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Persons or (y) without limiting any other rights to indemnification, to the extent such control or the ability to control the Company or any of its Subsidiaries derives from such Investor’s or its Affiliates’ capacity as an officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or (ii) the business, operations, properties, assets or other rights or liabilities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided , however that if and to the extent that the foregoing undertaking may be unavailable or unenforceable for any reason, the Company will, and will cause its Controlled Entities to, make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law. For the purposes of this Section 6.1, none of the circumstances described in the limitations contained in the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence shall be deemed to apply absent a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to such effect, in which case to the extent any such limitation is so determined to apply to any Indemnitee as to any previously advanced indemnity payments made by the Company or any of its Controlled Entities, then such payments shall be promptly repaid by such Indemnitee to the Company and its Controlled Entities, as applicable. The rights of any Indemnitee to indemnification hereunder will be in addition to any other rights any such Person may have under any other agreement or instrument to which such Indemnitee is or becomes a party or is or otherwise becomes a beneficiary or under law or regulation or under the Organizational Documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(b) The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall, and to the extent applicable shall cause the Controlled Entities to, be fully and primarily responsible (i.e., as the indemnitor of first resort) for the payment to the Indemnitee in respect of Indemnified Liabilities in connection with any Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, pursuant to and in accordance with (as applicable) the terms of (i) applicable law, (ii) the Articles, (iii) the Director Indemnification Agreements, (iv) this Agreement, (v) any other agreement between the Company or any Controlled Entity and the Indemnitee pursuant to which the Indemnitee is indemnified, (vi) the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of any Controlled Entity and/or (vii) the Organizational Documents of any Controlled Entity ((i) through (vii) collectively, the “ Indemnification Sources ”), irrespective of any right of recovery the Indemnitee may have from any Indemnitee-Related Parties. Under no circumstance shall the Company or any Controlled Entity be entitled to any right of subrogation or contribution by the Indemnitee-Related Parties and no right of advancement or recovery the Indemnitee may have from the Indemnitee-Related Parties shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the Indemnitee or the obligations of the Company or any Controlled Entity under the Indemnification Sources. In the event that any of the Indemnitee-Related Parties shall make any payment to the Indemnitee in respect of indemnification with respect to any Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, (x) the Company shall, and to the extent applicable shall cause the Controlled Entities to, reimburse the Indemnitee-Related Party making such payment to the extent of such payment promptly upon written demand from such Indemnitee-Related Party, (y) to the extent not previously and fully reimbursed by the Company and/or any Controlled Entity pursuant to clause (x), the Indemnitee-Related Party making such payment shall be subrogated to the extent of the outstanding balance of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee against the Company and/or any Controlled Entity, as applicable, and (z) Indemnitee shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable the Indemnitee-Related Parties effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights. For purposes of this Section 6.1(b):

 

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(i) The term “ Indemnitee-Related Party ” means any Person (other than the Company, any Controlled Entity or the insurer under and pursuant to an insurance policy of the Company or any Controlled Entity) from whom an Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to which, in whole or in part, the Company or any Controlled Entity may also have an indemnification or advancement obligation.

(ii) The term “ Jointly Indemnifiable Claims ” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, any Indemnified Liabilities for which the Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification from both (1) the Company and/or any Controlled Entity pursuant to the Indemnification Sources, on the one hand, and (2) any Indemnitee-Related Party pursuant to any other agreement between any Indemnitee-Related Party and the Indemnitee pursuant to which the Indemnitee is indemnified, the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of any Indemnitee-Related Party and/or the Organizational Documents of any Indemnitee-Related Party, on the other hand.

(c) The Company and Investors agree that each of the Indemnitees and Indemnitee-Related Parties shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Section 6.1, entitled to enforce this Section 6.1 as though each such Indemnitees and Indemnitee-Related Party were a party to this Agreement. The Company shall cause each of the Controlled Entities to perform the terms and obligations of this Section 6.1 as though each such Controlled Entity was a party to this Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.1. Entire Agreement . This Agreement (together with the Exhibits hereto, the Investors Shareholders Agreement, the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Subscription Agreements and the Equity Contribution Agreement) constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the parties and supersedes and replaces any prior understanding, agreement or statement of intent, in each case, written or oral, of any and every nature with respect thereto. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any document executed or delivered to effect the purposes of this Agreement, including the Organizational Documents of any company, this Agreement shall govern as among the parties hereto. Each of the parties hereto shall exercise all voting and other rights and powers available to it so as to give effect to the provisions of this Agreement and, if necessary, to procure (so far as it is able to do so) any required amendment to the Company’s Organizational Documents, in order to cure any such inconsistency.

Section 7.2. Specific Performance . The parties hereto agree that the obligations imposed on them in this Agreement are special, unique and of an extraordinary character, and that, in the event of breach by any party, damages would not be an adequate remedy and each of the other parties shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled, at law or in equity. The parties hereto further agree to waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with the obtaining of any such injunctive or other equitable relief.

 

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Section 7.3. Governing Law . This Agreement and all claims or causes of action (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws, except that Cayman Islands law shall apply in respect of any fiduciary duty or any mandatory provision of Cayman Islands corporate law.

Section 7.4. Submissions to Jurisdictions; WAIVERS OF JURY TRIALS .

(a) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably acknowledges and consents that any legal action or proceeding brought with respect to this Agreement or any of the obligations arising under or relating to this Agreement may only be brought in the courts of the State of Delaware or in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (collectively, the “ Chosen Courts ”), and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits to and accepts with regard to any such action or proceeding, for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts. Each party hereby further irrevocably waives any claim that any Chosen Court lacks jurisdiction over such party, and agrees not to plead or claim, in any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby brought in the Chosen Courts, that any such court lacks jurisdiction over such party.

(b) Each party irrevocably consents to the service of process in any legal action or proceeding brought with respect to this Agreement or any of the obligations arising under or relating to this Agreement by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to such party, at its address for notices as provided in Section 7.12 of this Agreement, such service to become effective ten (10) days after such mailing. Each party hereby irrevocably waives any objection to such service of process and further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any action or proceeding commenced hereunder or under any other documents contemplated hereby, that service of process was in any way invalid or ineffective. Subject to Section 7.4(c), the foregoing shall not limit the rights of any party to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law. The foregoing consents to jurisdiction shall not constitute general consents to service of process in the State of Delaware for any purpose except as provided above and shall not be deemed to confer rights on any Person other than the respective parties to this Agreement.

(c) Each of the parties hereto hereby waives any right it may have under the laws of any jurisdiction to commence by publication any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement or any of the obligations under or relating to this Agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives the objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any suit, action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement or any of the obligations arising under or relating to this Agreement in any of the Chosen Courts, and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim that any such Chosen Court is not a convenient forum for any such suit, action or proceeding.

 

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(d) The parties hereto agree that any judgment obtained by any party hereto or its successors or assigns in any action, suit or proceeding referred to above may, in the discretion of such party (or its successors or assigns), be enforced in any jurisdiction, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

(e) EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES (I) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (II) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 7.4(E).

Section 7.5. Obligations . All obligations hereunder shall be satisfied in full without set-off, defense or counterclaim.

Section 7.6. Consents, Approvals and Actions .

(a) If any consent, approval or action of the Sponsor Investors is required at any time pursuant to this Agreement (including with respect to any amendments pursuant to Section 7.7), such consent, approval or action shall be given pursuant to Section 2.2.

(b) If any consent, approval or action of the Silver Lake Partners Investors is required at any time pursuant to this Agreement (including with respect to any amendments pursuant to Section 7.7), such consent, approval or action shall be deemed given if any of the Silver Lake Partners Investors at such time provide such consent, approval or action in writing at such time.

(c) If any consent, approval or action of the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors is required at any time pursuant to this Agreement (including with respect to any amendments pursuant to Section 7.7), such consent, approval or action shall be deemed given if any of the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors at such time provide such consent, approval or action in writing at such time.

(d) If any consent, approval or action of the Shah Co-Investors is required at any time pursuant to this Agreement (including with respect to any amendments pursuant to Section 7.7), such consent, approval or action shall be deemed given if the holders of a majority of the outstanding Transferable Shares held by the Shah Co-Investors, taken together, at such time provide such consent, approval or action in writing at such time.

 

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Section 7.7. Amendment and Waiver .

(a) Except for amendments contemplated by Section 4.4, any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall require the written consent of (i) the Company and (ii) the Sponsor Investors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to the limitations with respect to any materially and disproportionally adverse amendments as set forth in Section 2.2, the SLP Investor may unilaterally amend this Agreement as necessary in the good faith judgment of the SLP Investor in connection with any matter which is approved following a Sponsor Deadlock, including to effectuate the rights of any transferee or new investor as a party to this Agreement following any Sponsor Deadlock in accordance with Section 2.2

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any addition of a transferee of Transferable Shares or a recipient of any newly issued Transferable Shares, in each case, as a party hereto pursuant to Article V shall not constitute an amendment hereto and the applicable Joinder Agreement need be signed only by the Company and such transferee or recipient.

(c) Any failure by any party at any time to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed a waiver of such provision or any other provisions hereof.

Section 7.8. Assignment . No Investor may assign its rights and corresponding obligations under this Agreement except with the prior consent of the Sponsor Investors pursuant to Section 2.2. Any purported assignment of rights or obligations under this Agreement in derogation of this Section 7.8 shall be null and void.

Section 7.9. Binding Effect . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties’ successors and permitted assigns.

Section 7.10. Third Party Beneficiaries . Except for Section 4.2, Section 6.1 and Section 7.13 (which will be for the benefit of the Persons set forth therein, and any such Person will have the rights provided for therein), this Agreement does not create any rights, claims or benefits inuring to any Person that is not a party hereto, and it does not create or establish any third party beneficiary hereto.

Section 7.11. Effectiveness and Termination .

(a) This Agreement shall become effective upon the consummation of the Initial Public Offering.

(b) This Agreement shall terminate (i) by written consent of the Sponsor Investors, (ii) upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or (iii) automatically, without any further action by any party, at such time when the Investors cease to beneficially own any Securities.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Section 4.3 Article VI and Article VII shall survive any termination of this Agreement as set forth therein.

 

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Section 7.12. Notices . Any and all notices, designations, offers, acceptances or other communications provided for herein shall be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person or sent by facsimile, e-mail, nationally-recognized overnight courier or first class registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, which shall be addressed, (a) in the case of the Company, to its principal office, Attention: Bruce Goldberg, Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, SMART Global Holdings, Inc., 39870 Eureka Drive, Newark, CA 94560, fax: (510) 624-8231, email bruce.goldberg@smartm.com, with copy to Alan Denenberg, 1600 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025, fax: (650) 752-3604, email alan.denenberg@davispolk.com; or (b) in the case of any other party hereto, to the following respective addresses, e-mail addresses or telecopy numbers:

If to any Silver Lake Partners Investor, to:

c/o Silver Lake Partners

2775 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Fax No.: (650) 233-8125

Email: Ken.Hao@silverlake.com

Attention: Kenneth Hao

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

c/o Silver Lake Partners

2775 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Fax No.: (650) 233-8125

Email: Karen.King@silverlake.com

Attention: Karen King

c/o Silver Lake Partners

9 West 57th Street, 32nd Floor

New York, New York 10019

Fax No.: (212) 981 3535

Email: andy.schader@silverlake.com

Attention: Andrew Schader

and

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

2475 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, CA 94304

Fax No.: (650) 251-5002

Email: cskinner@stblaw.com

    dwebb@stblaw.com

Attention: Chad Skinner

     Daniel N. Webb

 

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If to any Silver Lake Sumeru Investor, to:

c/o Silver Lake Sumeru

2775 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Fax No.: (650) 233-8125

Email: Ajay.Shah@silverlake.com

Attention: Ajay B. Shah

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

c/o Silver Lake Sumeru

2775 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Fax No.: (650) 233-8125

Email: Karen.King@silverlake.com

Attention: Karen King

c/o Silver Lake Sumeru

9 West 57th Street, 32nd Floor

New York, New York 10019

Fax No.: (212) 981 3535

Email: andy.schader@silverlake.com

Attention: Andrew Schader

and

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

2475 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, CA 94304

Fax No.: (650) 251-5002

Email: cskinner@stblaw.com

    dwebb@stblaw.com

Attention: Chad Skinner

     Daniel N. Webb

If to any Shah Co-Investor, to:

27241 Altamont Road

Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

Fax No.: 650-947-8147

Email: ajay.shah@SilverLake.com

Attention: Ajay B. Shah

Any and all notices, designations, offers, acceptances or other communications shall be conclusively deemed to have been given, delivered or received (i) in the case of personal delivery, on the day of actual delivery thereof, (ii) in the case of facsimile or e-mail, on the day of transmittal thereof if given during the normal business hours of the recipient, and on the

 

38


Business Day during which such normal business hours next occur if not given during such hours on any day, (iii) in the case of dispatch by nationally-recognized overnight courier, on the next Business Day following the disposition with such nationally-recognized overnight courier and (iv) in the case of mailing, on the third (3 rd ) Business Day after the posting thereof. By notice complying with the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.12, each party shall have the right to change its mailing address or telecopy number for the notices and communications to such party.

Section 7.13. No Third Party Liability . This Agreement may only be enforced against the named parties hereto. All claims or causes of action (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement), may be made only against the entities that are expressly identified as parties hereto; and no past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, shareholder, Affiliate, portfolio company in which any such party or any of its investment fund Affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa), agent, attorney or representative of any party hereto (including any Person negotiating or executing this Agreement on behalf of a party hereto), unless party to this Agreement, shall have any liability or obligation with respect to this Agreement or with respect any claim or cause of action (whether in contract or tort) that may arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including a representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement).

Section 7.14. No Partnership . Nothing in this Agreement and no actions taken by the parties under this Agreement shall constitute a partnership, association or other co-operative entity between any of the parties or constitute any party the agent of any other party for any purpose.

Section 7.15. Aggregation . All Transferable Shares held or acquired by (a) any Silver Lake Partners Investor and its Affiliates, (b) any Silver Lake Sumeru Investor and its affiliates or (c) any Shah Co-Investor and its Affiliates shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights under and application of any limitations under this Agreement, and such shareholder and its Affiliates may apportion such rights as among themselves in any manner they deem appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transferable Shares held or acquired by any Shah Co-Investor and its Affiliates shall be aggregated together with the Transferable Shares held or acquired by the Silver Lake Sumeru Investors as provided in Section 3.5.

Section 7.16. Severability . If any portion of this Agreement shall be declared void or unenforceable by any court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed severable from the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue in all respects valid and enforceable.

Section 7.17. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (which delivery may be by electronic transmission), each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute a single instrument.

 

39


[ The remainder of this page intentionally left blank .]

 

40


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Amended and Restated Sponsor Shareholders Agreement or caused this Amended and Restated Sponsor Shareholders Agreement to be signed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as a deed as of the date first written above.

COMPANY:

 

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.     In the presence of:
By:    

 

     

 

  Name:     Signature of Witness
  Title:     Name of Witness:

[ Signature Pages Follow ]

 

[Amended and Restated Sponsor Shareholders Agreement]


SLP INVESTOR:

 

SILVER LAKE PARTNERS III CAYMAN (AIV III), L.P.
By:   Silver Lake Technology Associates III Cayman, L.P., its General Partner
By:   Silver Lake (Offshore) AIV GP III, Ltd., its General Partner

 

      In the presence of:
By:    

 

     

 

  Name:     Signature of Witness
  Title:     Name of Witness:

SLP CO-INVESTOR:

 

SILVER LAKE TECHNOLOGY INVESTORS III CAYMAN, L.P.
By:   Silver Lake Technology Associates III Cayman, L.P., its General Partner
By:   Silver Lake (Offshore) AIV GP III, Ltd., its General Partner

 

      In the presence of:
By:    

 

     

 

  Name:     Signature of Witness
  Title:     Name of Witness:

[ Signature Pages Follow ]

 

[Amended and Restated Sponsor Shareholders Agreement]


SLS INVESTOR :

 

SILVER LAKE SUMERU FUND CAYMAN, L.P.
By:   Silver Lake Technology Associates Sumeru Cayman, L.P., its General Partner
By:   SLTA Sumeru (GP) Cayman, L.P., its General Partner
By:   Silver Lake Sumeru (Offshore) AIV GP, Ltd., its General Partner

 

      In the presence of:
By:    

 

     

 

  Name: Ajay B. Shah     Signature of Witness
  Title: Director     Name of Witness:

SLS CO-INVESTOR :

 

SILVER LAKE TECHNOLOGY INVESTORS SUMERU CAYMAN, L.P.
By:   Silver Lake Technology Associates Sumeru Cayman, L.P., its General Partner
By:   SLTA Sumeru (GP) Cayman, L.P., its General Partner
By:   Silver Lake Sumeru (Offshore) AIV GP, Ltd., its General Partner

 

      In the presence of:
By:    

 

     

 

  Name: Ajay B. Shah     Signature of Witness
  Title: Director     Name of Witness:

[ Signature Pages Follow ]

 

[Amended and Restated Sponsor Shareholders Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

The undersigned is executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Sponsor Shareholders Agreement of SMART Global Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Saleen Holdings, Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company, dated as of [●], 2017 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Sponsor Shareholders Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Sponsor Shareholders Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement to the Sponsor Shareholders Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees to become a party to, to be bound by, and to comply with the provisions of the Sponsor Shareholders Agreement as a [Silver Lake Partners Investor][Silver Lake Sumeru Investor][Shah Co-Investor].

Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder Agreement as of the      day of                      ,          .

 

 
Signature
 
Print Name  
Address:    
 
 
Telephone:    
Facsimile:    

AGREED AND ACCEPTED

as of the          day of                      ,         .

 

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF DIRECTOR INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS

[To be attached]

Exhibit 4.5

Execution Copy

 

 

 

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED

INVESTORS SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

Dated as of November 5, 2016

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page  
Article I  
DEFINITIONS  

Section 1.1.

  

Definitions

     1  

Section 1.2.

  

Definitions Cross References

     6  

Section 1.3.

  

General Interpretive Principles

     7  

Article II

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Section 2.1.

  

Representations and Warranties of Each of the Management Investors

     8  

Section 2.2.

  

Representations and Warranties of Each of the Warrant Investors

     9  

Article III

 

TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

 

Section 3.1.

  

General Restrictions on Transfers

     10  

Section 3.2.

  

Permitted Transfers

     12  

Section 3.3.

  

Pre-Initial Public Offering Transfers

     12  

Section 3.4.

  

Post-Initial Public Offering Transfers

     12  

Section 3.5.

  

Black-Out Periods

     17  

Section 3.6.

  

Tag-Along Rights

     17  

Section 3.7.

  

Drag-Along Rights

     20  

Article IV

 

PARTICIPATION RIGHTS

 

Section 4.1.

  

Certain Definitions

     24  

Section 4.2.

  

Right of Participation

     25  

Section 4.3.

  

Excluded Transactions

     27  

Section 4.4.

  

Termination of Article IV

     28  

Article V

 

CALL & OFFER TO PURCHASE RIGHTS

 

 


Section 5.1.

   Certain Definitions      28  

Section 5.2.

   Call      30  

Section 5.3.

   Settlement with Company Note      31  

Section 5.4.

   Call Option of the Silver Lake Investors      32  

Section 5.5.

   Offer to Purchase Investment Shares      32  

Section 5.6.

   Further Assurances      33  

Section 5.7.

   Termination of Article V      33  

Article VI

 

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

 

Section 6.1.

  

Further Assurances

     33  

Section 6.2.

  

Other Businesses; Waiver of Certain Duties

     33  

Section 6.3.

  

Confidentiality

     35  

Section 6.4.

  

GRANT OF IRREVOCABLE PROXY

     36  

Section 6.5.

   Distributions in Connection with Merger or Initial Public Offering; Cooperation with Initial Public Offering Reorganization and SEC Filings      37  

Section 6.6.

  

Warrant Investor Consent Right

     38  

Section 6.7.

  

Information Rights

     39  

Article VII

 

ADDITIONAL MANAGEMENT INVESTORS AND WARRANT INVESTORS

 

Section 7.1.

  

Additional Management Investors

     39  

Section 7.2.

  

Warrant Investors

     39  

Article VIII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 8.1.

  

Entire Agreement

     40  

Section 8.2.

  

Specific Performance

     40  

Section 8.3.

  

Governing Law

     40  

Section 8.4.

  

Submissions to Jurisdictions; WAIVERS OF JURY TRIALS

     40  

Section 8.5.

  

Obligations

     42  

Section 8.6.

  

Consents, Approvals and Actions

     42  

Section 8.7.

  

Amendment and Waiver

     42  

Section 8.8.

  

Assignment

     43  

 

3


Section 8.9.

  

Binding Effect

     43  

Section 8.10.

  

Third Party Beneficiaries

     43  

Section 8.11.

  

Termination

     43  

Section 8.12.

  

Notices

     43  

Section 8.13.

  

No Third Party Liability

     44  

Section 8.14.

  

No Partnership

     45  

Section 8.15.

  

Aggregation

     45  

Section 8.16.

  

Severability

     45  

Section 8.17.

  

Counterparts

     45  

Exhibit A: Form of Joinder Agreement

Exhibit B: Management Investors as of November 5, 2016

Exhibit C: Key Management Investors

 

4


SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTORS SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTORS SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT (as may be amended, supplemented, restated or modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”) is made as of November 5, 2016, by and among SMART Global Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Saleen Holdings, Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company (together with its successors and assigns, the “ Company ”), Silver Lake Partners III Cayman (AIV III), L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “ SLP Investor ”), Silver Lake Technology Investors III Cayman, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “ SLP Co-Investor ”), Silver Lake Sumeru Fund Cayman, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “ SLS Investor ”), Silver Lake Technology Investors Sumeru Cayman, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “ SLS Co-Investor ”), the Management Investors (as defined below) and the Warrant Investors (as defined below).

WHEREAS, the Company, the SLP Investor, the SLP Co-Investor, the SLS Investor, the SLS Co-Investor and the initial Management Investors entered into that certain Management Investors Shareholders Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011 (the “ Prior Agreement ”), in order to set forth certain rights and other terms in connection with ownership of Shares (as defined below);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Amended Credit Agreement (as defined below), the Warrant Investors (as defined below) received Warrants to purchase Warrant Shares (as defined below), dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and each such Warrant Investor (each, a “ Warrant ”), pursuant to which (i) such Warrant Investors are entitled to exercise such Warrants upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein and (ii) as a condition of receipt of such Warrants, the Warrant Investors are required to enter into this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Company, the SLP Investor, the SLP Co-Investor, the SLS Investor and the SLS Co-Investor desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in connection with the Amended Credit Agreement in order to set forth certain rights and obligations of the Warrant Investors with respect to the ownership of Securities (as defined below) by the Warrant Investors.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

1


Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with such Person. The term “ Control ” means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlled ” and “ Controlling ” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this Agreement, (i) the Company, its Subsidiaries and its other Controlled Affiliates shall not be considered Affiliates of any of the Silver Lake Investors, the Management Investors or the Warrant Investors or any of such party’s Affiliates (other than the Company, its Subsidiaries and its other Controlled Affiliates) and (ii) except with respect to Section 6.2(a), Section 6.2(b), Section 6.6 or Section 8.13, none of the Silver Lake Investors shall be considered Affiliates of (A) any portfolio company in which any of the Silver Lake Investors or any of their investment fund Affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa) or (B) any limited partners, non-managing members or other similar direct or indirect investors in any of the Silver Lake Investors or their affiliated investment funds.

Amended Credit Agreement ” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, among SMART, the Parent Borrower and SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the lenders and administrative agent party thereto, as it may be amended from time to time.

Applicable Employee ” means (i) with respect to any Management Investor that is or was an employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, such employee or consultant, and (ii) with respect to any Management Investor that is not and was not an employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the current or former employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to whom such Management Investor is an Affiliate on the date of this Agreement or a Permitted Transferee from and after the date of this Agreement.

beneficial ownership ” and “ beneficially own ” and similar terms have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided , however that (i) no party hereto shall be deemed to beneficially own any Securities of the Company held by any other party hereto solely by virtue of the provisions of this Agreement (other than this definition) and (ii) with respect to any Securities held by a party hereto that are exercisable for, convertible into or exchangeable for Shares upon delivery of consideration to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, such Shares shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned by such party unless, until and to the extent such Securities have been exercised, converted or exchanged and such consideration has been delivered by such party to the Company or such Subsidiary.

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Business Day ” means a day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks located in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

Code ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

 

2


Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement ” means the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, by and among the Company, the Silver Lake Investors party thereto and the other signatories thereto, as it may be amended from time to time.

Encumbrance ” means any charge, claim, community or other marital property interest, right of first option, right of first refusal, mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance (except as resulting from the express terms of this Agreement).

Equity Contribution and Subscription Agreement ” means each of the Equity Contribution and Subscription Agreements, dated as of August 26, 2011, between the Company and the applicable Management Investor, pursuant to which such Management Investor acquired certain Shares.

ERISA ” means the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Initial Public Offering ” means the consummation of an underwritten initial public offering that is registered under the Securities Act of Shares of the Company or the equity securities of the Registering Entity as contemplated by Section 6.5.

Joinder Agreement ” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

Management Agreement ” means the Transaction and Management Fee Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and Silver Lake Management Company III, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and Silver Lake Management Company Sumeru, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company.

Management Investor ” means the parties identified on Exhibit B hereto and any Person other than the Company, the Silver Lake Investors and the Warrant Investors that becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Article VII hereof, whether or not such Person is an employee or consultant of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

Merger Agreement ” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 25, 2011, by and among SMART, the Company and Saleen Acquisition, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company.

Options ” mean any rights or options to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire Shares granted pursuant to any employment or consulting agreement with the Company or its Subsidiaries or pursuant to any equity compensation plan or program of the Company.

Parent Borrower ” means SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and Subsidiary of the Company.

 

3


Permitted Transferee ” means, (x) with respect to a Management Investor, (i) any Person who takes from such Management Investor upon death by bequest, devise or descent, (ii) the spouse and lineal descendants (including children by adoption and step children) of the Applicable Employee for such Management Investor, (iii) a trust or custodianship formed in connection with the bona fide estate planning activities of the relevant Applicable Employee (A) the current, non-contingent beneficiaries of which may include only the Applicable Employee for such Management Investor, and the spouse and lineal descendants (including children by adoption and step children) of such Applicable Employee, and (B) with respect to which such Applicable Employee is the sole trustee or custodian (or is a co-trustee or co-custodian along with such Applicable Employee’s spouse), or (iv) any limited liability company or partnership (A) with respect to which at least eighty percent (80%) of all of the outstanding equity interests are beneficially owned solely by the Applicable Employee for such Management Investor, and/or the spouse and lineal descendants (including children by adoption and step children) of such Applicable Employee, (B) with respect to which such Applicable Employee, and/or any of the spouse and lineal descendants (including children by adoption and step children) of such Applicable Employee, are the sole managers or managing members (if a limited liability company) or directly or indirectly control the sole general partners (if a limited partnership) and otherwise have the sole power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies, directly or indirectly, of such limited liability company or partnership, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise and (C) which entity is not formed with the purpose or intent of circumventing the requirements of Section 3.3, Section 3.4 or Section 3.5 and (y) with respect to a Warrant Investor, (i) any bona fide investment fund, or alternative investment vehicle of a bona fide investment fund that is advised by the investment manager of such Warrant Investor, or by an Affiliate of the investment manager of such Warrant Investor, its Affiliate or successor entity to such Warrant Investor and which entity is not formed with the purpose or intent of circumventing the requirements of Section 3.3 or Section 3.5 or (ii) any Person to whom a Warrant Investor in its capacity as a Lender (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) transfers any portion of the Term Loan in compliance with the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement.

Person ” means an individual, any general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, business trust, joint stock company, joint venture, unincorporated association, cooperative or association or any other legal entity or organization of whatever nature, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity, or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

Registration Rights Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company, the Silver Lake Investors party thereto, the Management Investors party thereto, the Warrant Investors party thereto and the other signatories thereto, as it may be amended from time to time.

Restricted Stock Units ” means an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Shares following the lapse of the vesting restrictions applicable thereto (including, without limitation, that an Applicable Employee remain in continued employment with, or engagement by, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for a specified period of time).

 

4


Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act, as such provision is amended from time to time.

SEC ” means the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency.

Second Tranche Exercise Condition ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Warrants.

Securities ” means any equity securities of the Company, including any Shares, Options, Warrants and Warrant Shares.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

Shares ” means the ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.

Silver Lake Investors ” means, collectively, (i) the SLP Investor, the SLP Co-Investor and any of their respective Affiliates, designated transferees or successors that hold Securities, and (ii) the SLS Investor, the SLS Co-Investor and any of their respective Affiliates, designated transferees or successors that hold Securities.

SMART ” means SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a SMART Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company and Subsidiary of the Company.

Sponsor Shareholders Agreement ” means the Sponsor Shareholders Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, by and among the Company, the Silver Lake Investors party thereto and the other signatories thereto, as it may be amended from time to time.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any entity of which (i) a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock or equivalent ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, trustees or other members of the applicable governing body thereof is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one (1) or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if no such governing body exists at such entity, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock or equivalent ownership interests of the entity is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one (1) or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or Control the managing member or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.

Term Loan ” and “ Term Loans ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement.

 

5


Transferable Shares ” means (i) Shares, (ii) Shares issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any convertible debt security or preferred security that is currently exercisable for, convertible into or exchangeable for, as of the relevant date of determination, Shares, (iii) solely with respect to Section 3.6, Section 3.7 and Article V, the number of Shares issuable upon exercise of Options that are vested and exercisable as of the relevant date of determination, (iv) solely with respect to Section 3.6, Section 3.7, Article IV, Section 8.6, Section 8.7, the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of Warrants as of the date of determination and (v) solely with respect to Section 3.7 and Article V, Restricted Stock Units.

Warrant Investor ” means any duly registered holder of a Warrant under the terms and conditions thereof or Warrant Shares upon exercise thereof.

Warrant Shares ” shall have the meaning set forth in the applicable Warrant.

Section 1.2. Definitions Cross References . The following terms are defined in the corresponding Sections of this Agreement:

 

Term

  

Section

5% Warrant Investor

  

Section 3.5

Agreement

  

Preamble

Applicable Transfer Cap

  

Section 3.4(a)(i)

Call

  

Section 5.2(a)

Call Date

  

Section 5.1(a)

Call Group

  

Section 5.1(b)

Call Shares

  

Section 5.2(a)

Call Shares Price

  

Section 5.1(c)

Call Termination Date

  

Section 5.1(d)

Cause

  

Section 5.1(e)

Cayman Court

  

Section 8.4(a)

Chosen Courts

  

Section 8.4(a)

Company

  

Preamble

Company Note

  

Section 5.3

Competitor

  

Section 3.1(b)

Compliant Terms

  

Section 4.2(b)(i)

Control

  

Section 1.1

Cost

  

Section 5.1(f)

Delaware Courts

  

Section 8.4(a)

Drag Covered Transferable Shares

  

Section 3.7(d)

Drag-Along Escrow Agent

  

Section 3.7(d)

Drag-Along Notice

  

Section 3.7(a)

Drag-Along Sale

  

Section 3.7(a)

Exercising Investor

  

Section 4.2(b)(i)

First Period

  

Section 3.4(a)(ii)

First Period Cap

  

Section 3.4(a)(iii)

FMV per Share

  

Section 5.1(g)

Good Reason

  

Section 5.1(h)

 

6


Incentive Shares

  

Section 5.1(i)

Information Holder

  

Section 6.7

Investment Shares

  

Section 5.1(j)

Key Management Investors

  

Section 3.4(a)(iv)

Listing Exchange

  

Section 3.4(a)(v)

Merger

  

Section 5.1(i)

Non-Discretionary Sales Program

  

Section 3.4(a)(vi)

Offer Price

  

Section 5.5

Offered Shares

  

Section 5.5

Participation Closing

  

Section 4.2(f)

Participation Notice

  

Section 4.2(a)

Participation Portion

  

Section 4.1(a)

Participation Securities

  

Section 4.1(b)

Post-Closing Issuance

  

Section 4.1(c)

Post-IPO Transfer Notice

  

Section 3.4(c)(i)

Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Periods

  

Section 3.4(a)(vii)

Prior Agreement

  

Recitals

Proposed Transferee

  

Section 3.6(a)

Prospective Purchaser

  

Section 4.2(b)(i)

Registering Entity

  

Section 6.5(b)

Related Party Transaction

  

Section 6.6

Rollover Shares

  

Section 5.1(k)

Second Period

  

Section 3.4(a)(viii)

Second Period Cap

  

Section 3.4(a)(ix)

Second Period Non-Discretionary Sales Program

  

Section 3.4(c)(iii)

Selling Silver Lake Investor

  

Section 3.6(a)

SLP Co-Investor

  

Preamble

SLP Investor

  

Preamble

SLS Co-Investor

  

Preamble

SLS Investor

  

Preamble

Tag-Along Participation Notice

  

Section 3.6(b)

Tag-Along Sale

  

Section 3.6(a)

Tag-Along Sale Percentage

  

Section 3.6(a)

Tag-Along Sellers

  

Section 3.6(b)

Tagging Investors

  

Section 3.6(b)

Third Period

  

Section 3.4(a)(x)

Third Period Cap

  

Section 3.4(a)(xi)

Third Period Non-Discretionary Sales Program

  

Section 3.4(c)(iii)

Trading Day

  

Section 3.4(a)(xii)

Transfer Notice

  

Section 3.6(a)

Warrant

  

Recitals

Section 1.3. General Interpretive Principles . The name assigned to this Agreement and the section captions used herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not be construed to affect the meaning, construction or effect hereof. Unless otherwise specified, the terms “hereof,” “herein” and similar terms refer to this Agreement as a whole, and references herein to Articles or Sections refer to Articles or Sections of this Agreement. For purposes of

 

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this Agreement, the words, “include,” “includes” and “including,” when used herein, shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “dollars” and “$” shall mean United States dollars. Except as otherwise set forth herein, Shares underlying unexercised Options that have been issued by the Company shall not be deemed “outstanding” for any purposes in this Agreement. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 2.1. Representations and Warranties of Each of the Management Investors . Each of the Management Investors hereby represents and warrants to each of the other parties, as of the date of this Agreement and on any subsequent date on which such Management Investor may acquire Securities from the Company, as follows:

(a) Such Management Investor, to the extent applicable, is duly organized or incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation and has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted and is proposed to be conducted.

(b) Such Management Investor has the full power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action, corporate or otherwise, of such Management Investor. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Management Investor and constitutes its, his or her legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it, him or her in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.

(c) The execution and delivery by such Management Investor of this Agreement, the performance by such party of its, his or her obligations hereunder does not and will not violate (A) in the case of parties who are not individuals, any provision of its by-laws, charter, articles of association, partnership agreement or other similar document, (B) any provision of any material agreement to which it, he or she is a party or by which it, he or she is bound or (C) any law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree to which it, he or she is subject.

(d) No consent, waiver, approval, authorization, exemption, registration, license or declaration is required to be made or obtained by such Management Investor in connection with the execution, delivery or enforceability of this Agreement or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herein.

(e) Such Management Investor is not currently in violation of any law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree, which violation could reasonably be expected at any time to have a material adverse effect upon such party’s ability to enter into this Agreement or to perform its, his or her obligations hereunder.

 

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(f) There is no pending or threatened legal action, suit or proceeding that would materially and adversely affect the ability of such Management Investor to enter into this Agreement or to perform its, his or her obligations hereunder.

Section 2.2. Representations and Warranties of Each of the Warrant Investors . Each of the Warrant Investors hereby represents and warrants to each of the other parties, as of the date such Warrant Investor becomes a party to this Agreement and on any subsequent date on which such Warrant Investor may acquire Securities from the Company, as follows:

(a) Such Warrant Investor is duly organized or incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation and has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted and is proposed to be conducted.

(b) Such Warrant Investor has the full power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action, corporate or otherwise, of such Warrant Investor. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Warrant Investor and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.

(c) The execution and delivery by such Warrant Investor of this Agreement, the performance by such party of its obligations hereunder by such party does not and will not violate (A) any provision of its by-laws, charter, articles of association, partnership agreement or other similar document, (B) any provision of any material agreement to which it is a party or by which it is bound or (C) any law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree to which it is subject.

(d) No consent, waiver, approval, authorization, exemption, registration, license or declaration is required to be made or obtained by such Warrant Investor in connection with the execution, delivery or enforceability of this Agreement or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herein.

(e) Such Warrant Investor is not currently in violation of any law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree, which violation could reasonably be expected at any time to have a material adverse effect upon such party’s ability to enter into this Agreement or to perform its obligations hereunder.

(f) There is no pending or threatened legal action, suit or proceeding that would materially and adversely affect the ability of such Warrant Investor to enter into this Agreement or to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

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ARTICLE III

TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

Section 3.1. General Restrictions on Transfers .

(a) No Management Investor or Warrant Investor may, directly or indirectly, sell, exchange, assign, pledge, hypothecate, gift or otherwise transfer, dispose of or encumber, in each case, whether in its own right or by its representative and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law (any of the foregoing shall be deemed included in the term “ transfer ” as used in this Agreement) any Securities or any legal, economic or beneficial interest in any Securities unless (i) such transfer of Securities is made in compliance with the provisions of this Article III and any other agreement applicable to the transfer of such Securities (including the applicable option plan or award) and (ii) the transferee of any Transferable Shares (if other than (A) the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, another Management Investor or Warrant Investor, (B) a transferee in a sale of Transferable Shares made under Rule 144, or (C) a transferee of any Transferrable Shares pursuant to an offer and sale registered under the Securities Act) agrees to become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Article VII hereof and executes a Joinder Agreement and such further documents as may be necessary, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, to make him, her or it a party hereto.

(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Article III to the contrary, without the prior written consent of the Silver Lake Investors, no Management Investor may transfer any Securities to any Person (whether or not to a Permitted Transferee) that, in the reasonable judgment of the Silver Lake Investors, (i) is an actual or known potential competitor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) is known, after reasonable inquiry, to be adverse to the interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of a current or former litigation, arbitration, dispute or claim (each of clauses (i) and (ii), a “ Competitor ”) or (iii) is known to hold (directly or indirectly) more than a 5% ownership interest in any Competitor; provided , however , that this sentence shall not apply to (x) transfers of Transferable Shares pursuant to and in compliance with Section 3.6 or Section 3.7 or (y) a sale of Transferable Shares (including a block transfer) effected via registered public offering or under Rule 144 through a securities exchange or national quotation system or through a broker, dealer or other market maker, in a manner in which the identity of the purchaser, other than the broker, dealer or market maker through which such sale is being effected, has not been designated by the seller and is effected in a manner through which the identity of the purchaser cannot or would not customarily be available to such seller.

(c) Any purported transfer of Securities or any interest in any Securities by any Management Investor or Warrant Investor that is not in compliance with this Agreement shall be null and void, and the Company shall refuse to recognize any such transfer for any purpose and shall not reflect in its register of members or otherwise any change in record ownership of Securities pursuant to any such transfer.

(d) Each Management Investor and Warrant Investor acknowledges that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be transferred except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an

 

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exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Each Management Investor and Warrant Investor agrees that it will not transfer any Shares at any time if such action would (i) constitute a violation of any securities laws of any applicable jurisdiction or a breach of the conditions to any exemption from registration of Shares under any such laws or a breach of any undertaking or agreement of such Management Investor or Warrant Investor entered into pursuant to such laws or in connection with obtaining an exemption thereunder, (ii) cause the Company to become subject to the registration requirements of the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, or (iii) be a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or cause all or any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute “plan assets” for purposes of fiduciary responsibility or prohibited transaction provisions of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. Each Management Investor and Warrant Investor agrees it shall not be entitled to any certificate for any or all of the Shares, unless the Board shall otherwise determine.

(e) No Management Investor or Warrant Investor shall grant any proxy or enter into or agree to be bound by any voting trust or other obligation with respect to any Securities or enter into any agreements or arrangements of any kind with any Person with respect to any Securities inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Management Investor or Warrant Investor (including, without limitation, Section 6.4) (whether or not such agreements and arrangements are with other Management Investors, other Warrant Investors or holders of Securities who are not parties to this Agreement), including agreements or arrangements with respect to the acquisition, disposition or voting (if applicable) of any Securities, nor shall any Management Investor or Warrant Investor act, for any reason, as a member of a group or in concert with any other Persons in connection with the acquisition, disposition or voting (if applicable) of any Securities in any manner which is inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Management Investor or Warrant Investor.

(f) Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.6(b), Section 3.7(a) and Section 4.2(e), any Management Investor or Warrant Investor that proposes to transfer Transferable Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof shall be responsible for any fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with such transfer.

(g) Each Management Investor and Warrant Investor acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions on transfer of Securities or any interest in Securities as set forth in this Article III may adversely affect the proceeds received by such Management Investor or Warrant Investor in any sale, transfer or liquidation of any such Securities, and as a result of such restrictions on transfer, it may not be possible for such Management Investor or Warrant Investor to liquidate all or any part of such Management Investor’s or Warrant Investor’s interest in Securities at the time of such Management Investor’s or Warrant Investor’s choosing, in exigent circumstances or otherwise. Each Management Investor and Warrant Investor further acknowledges and agrees that each of the Company and the Silver Lake Investors shall have no liability to such Management Investor or Warrant Investor arising from, relating to or in connection with the restrictions on transfer of Securities or any interest in Securities as set forth in this Article III, except to the extent the Company or such Silver Lake Investor fail to comply with its obligations to such Management Investor or Warrant Investor pursuant to this Article III.

 

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Section 3.2. Permitted Transfers . Each Management Investor and Warrant Investor may transfer Transferable Shares held by him, her or it to a Permitted Transferee without complying with the provisions of this Article III other than Section 3.1; provided that (i) such Permitted Transferee shall have agreed with all parties hereto, in a written instrument reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that he, she or it will immediately convey record and beneficial ownership of all such Transferable Shares and all rights and obligations hereunder to such Management Investor or Warrant Investor or another Permitted Transferee of such Management Investor or Warrant Investor if he, she or it ceases to be a Permitted Transferee of such Management Investor or Warrant Investor (except in the case of a divorce between the Applicable Employee for such Management Investor and the spouse of such Applicable Employee) and (ii) as a condition to such transfer, such Permitted Transferee shall become a party to this Agreement as provided in Section 3.1(a).

Section 3.3. Pre-Initial Public Offering Transfers . Without limiting Section 3.1 or Section 3.5, during the period beginning on the date hereof and ending concurrently with the earlier of (i) one hundred eighty (180) days following an Initial Public Offering and (ii) the expiration of such period, if any, following an Initial Public Offering during which the Silver Lake Investors shall have agreed with the underwriters of such Initial Public Offering to be subject to lock up restrictions in respect of the Transferable Shares held by the Silver Lake Investors (it being understood that if the Silver Lake Investors do not agree to become subject to any such lock up restrictions, the end of the Pre-IPO Transfer Restriction Period shall occur upon the completion of such Initial Public Offering) (such period, the “ Pre-IPO Transfer Restriction Period ”), none of the Management Investors or Warrant Investors shall transfer any Securities to any Person, except transfers of Transferable Shares (x) pursuant to and in compliance with Section 3.6, Section 3.7 or Article V, as applicable (y) to Permitted Transferees pursuant to Section 3.2 or (z) upon receipt of the prior written consent of the Silver Lake Investors.

Section 3.4. Post-Initial Public Offering Transfers .

(a) Certain Definitions . As used in this Section 3.4:

(i) “ Applicable Transfer Cap ” means, with respect to a particular Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee and as of the date of delivery of a Post-IPO Transfer Notice by such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee, a number of Transferrable Shares equal to (A) such Key Management Investor’s First Period Cap as of such date of delivery plus (B) if such date of delivery is after the commencement of the Second Period, such Key Management Investor’s Second Period Cap as of such date of delivery plus (C) if such date of delivery is after the commencement of the Third Period, such Key Management Investor’s Third Period Cap as of such date of delivery minus (D) the aggregate number of Transferrable Shares that such Key Management Investor and his Permitted Transferees have transferred other than to a Permitted Transferee pursuant to Section 3.2 or with the prior written consent of the Silver Lake Investors.

(ii) “ First Period ” means the period beginning at the end of the Pre-IPO Transfer Restriction Period and ending on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Initial Public Offering.

 

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(iii) “ First Period Cap ” means, with respect to a particular Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee and as of the date of delivery of a Post-IPO Transfer Notice by such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee, a number of Transferrable Shares equal to (A)(1) the total number of Transferrable Shares owned by such Key Management Investor and his Permitted Transferees as of the beginning of the First Period plus (2) if such delivery occurs during the First Period, the total number of Transferrable Shares issued or issuable to such Key Management Investor upon the exercise of Options and underlying Restricted Stock Units, in each case which were held as of the beginning of the First Period and are vested or have been exercised as of such date of delivery multiplied by (B)(1) the aggregate number of Transferable Shares transferred by the Silver Lake Investors during the First Period (excluding transfers to Permitted Transferees) divided by (2) the total number of Transferable Shares held by the Silver Lake Investors as of the beginning of the First Period.

(iv) “ Key Management Investors ” means (A) those Management Investors set forth on Exhibit C attached hereto on the date of this Agreement and (B) from and after the date of this Agreement, any additional Management Investors subsequently added to Exhibit C by the Board upon the Board determining in good faith that the Applicable Employee for such Management Investor (x) would qualify as an “officer” pursuant Rule 16a-1(f) (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, as such provision is amended from time to time, if the Company had undergone an Initial Public Offering at such time or (y) is a key officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided , that the Board shall so notify any additional Management Investor subsequently added to Exhibit C .

(v) “ Listing Exchange ” means the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or other nationally recognized stock exchange or listing system, in each case on which the Shares of the Company or the equity securities of the Registering Entity are listed in connection with an Initial Public Offering.

(vi) “ Non-Discretionary Sale Program ” means a non-discretionary, automatic selling program for the sale of securities established with a nationally recognized registered broker/dealer that complies with customary market practices for non-discretionary, automatic selling programs instituted by senior executives of public companies pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, as such provision is amended from time to time, which executes trades in the subject securities without direction or control by the applicable Key Management Investor (except with respect to additions and reductions in the number of Transferrable Shares to be sold in a given Non-Discretionary Sale Program to the extent required by Section 3.4(c)(i) or Section 3.4(c)(ii)).

(vii) “ Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Periods ” means, collectively, the First Period, the Second Period and the Third Period.

(viii) “ Second Period ” means the period beginning at the end of the First Period and ending on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the end of the First Period.

 

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(ix) “ Second Period Cap ” means, with respect to a particular Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee and as of the date of delivery of a Post-IPO Transfer Notice by such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee, a number of Transferrable Shares equal to (A)(1) the total number of Transferrable Shares owned by such Key Management Investor and his Permitted Transferees as of the beginning of the First Period plus (2) if such delivery occurs during the Second Period, the total number of Transferrable Shares issued or issuable to such Key Management Investor upon the exercise of Options and underlying Restricted Stock Units, in each case which were held as of the beginning of the First Period and are vested or have been exercised as of such date of delivery multiplied by (B)(1) the aggregate number of Transferable Shares transferred by the Silver Lake Investors during the Second Period (excluding transfers to Permitted Transferees) divided by (2) the total number of Transferable Shares held by the Silver Lake Investors as of the beginning of the First Period provided that , in no event shall the Second Period Cap be less than 20% of the sum of (X) total number of Transferrable Shares owned by such Key Management Investor and his Permitted Transferees as of the beginning of the Second Period plus (Y) the total number of Transferrable Shares issuable to such Key Management Investor upon the exercise of Options and underlying Restricted Stock Units, in each case which were held and vested as of the beginning of the Second Period.

(x) “ Third Period ” means the period beginning at the end of the Second Period and ending on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the end of the Second Period.

(xi) “ Third Period Cap ” means, with respect to a particular Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee and as of the date of delivery of a Post-IPO Transfer Notice by such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee, a number of Transferrable Shares equal to (A)(1) the total number of Transferrable Shares owned by such Key Management Investor and his Permitted Transferees as of the beginning of the First Period plus (2) if such delivery occurs during the Third Period, the total number of Transferrable Shares issued or issuable to such Key Management Investor upon the exercise of Options and underlying Restricted Stock Units, in each case which were held as of the beginning of the First Period and are vested or have been exercised as of such date of delivery multiplied by (B)(1) the aggregate number of Transferable Shares transferred by the Silver Lake Investors during the Third Period (excluding transfers to Permitted Transferees) divided by (2) the total number of Transferable Shares held by the Silver Lake Investors as of the beginning of the First Period provided that , in no event shall the Third Period Cap be less than 20% of the sum of (X) total number of Transferrable Shares owned by such Key Management Investor and his Permitted Transferees as of the beginning of the Third Period plus (Y) the total number of Transferrable Shares issuable to such Key Management Investor upon the exercise of Options and underlying Restricted Stock Units, in each case which were held and vested as of the beginning of the Third Period.

(xii) “ Trading Day ” means a day on which the Listing Exchange is open for at least one-half (1/2) of its normal trading hours.

 

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(b) Termination of Section  3.4 . Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.4 to the contrary:

(i) if (x) the Company and all of its Subsidiaries terminate the employment or service of the Applicable Employee for any Key Management Investor without Cause (as defined in Section 5.1(e)) or (y) the Applicable Employee for any Key Management Investor resigns from the Company and its Subsidiaries with Good Reason (as defined in Section 5.1(h)), in either case during any of the Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Periods, this Section 3.4 shall cease to apply to such Key Management Investor from and after the date of any such termination; provided , that for the avoidance of doubt, if (A) the Company and all of its Subsidiaries terminate the employment or service of the Applicable Employee of such Key Management Investor for Cause or (B) the Applicable Employee of such Key Management Investor resigns from the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case during any of the Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Periods, this Section 3.4 shall continue to apply to such Key Management Investor in accordance with its terms;

(ii) if all of the Silver Lake Investors cease to own any Securities during the Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Periods, this Section 3.4 shall cease to apply to all Key Management Investors from and after the date that none of the Silver Lake Investors own any Securities; and

(iii) for the avoidance of doubt, this Section 3.4 shall terminate in its entirety upon the expiration of the Third Period.

(c) Transfers During the Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Periods . Without limiting Section 3.1 or Section 3.5 and subject in all cases to Section 3.4(b), during the Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Periods, each of the Key Management Investors and their Permitted Transferees shall not transfer any Securities to any Person, except transfers of Transferable Shares (A) to Permitted Transferees pursuant to Section 3.2, (B) upon receipt of the prior written consent of the Silver Lake Investors and (C) as of the date of any proposed transfer, such Key Management Investor’s Applicable Transfer Cap as of such transfer, as calculated by the Company in accordance with Section 3.4(c)(i) below. For the avoidance of doubt, the transfer restrictions set forth in this Section 3.4(c) shall apply to the exercise of such Key Management Investor’s rights in any registered offerings during the Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Periods under the Registration Rights Agreement.

(i) To the extent any Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee desires to transfer any Transferable Shares to any Person (other than (x) a Permitted Transferee pursuant to Section 3.2 or (y) transfers upon receipt of the prior written consent of the Silver Lake Investors) or implement a Non-Discretionary Sale Program (or increase the number of Transferrable Shares permitted to be sold thereunder), such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee, as applicable, shall provide written notice (a “ Post-IPO Transfer Notice ”) of such action to the Company and the Silver Lake Investors at least three (3) Business Days prior thereto, setting forth, as applicable, (i) the number of Transferable Shares proposed to be transferred or covered by such Non-Discretionary Sale Program and (ii) the identity of

 

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the proposed transferee, if known, and the manner of disposition contemplated for such proposed transfer or the identity of the broker-dealer that will be establishing such Non-Discretionary Sale Program. Within three (3) Business Days following receipt of such Post-IPO Transfer Notice, the Company shall provide written notice to such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee, as applicable, and the Silver Lake Investors setting forth the Applicable Transfer Cap for such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee as of the date of delivery of such Post-IPO Transfer Notice, provided that such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee, as applicable, shall provide the Company with all information reasonably requested by the Company in order to calculate such Applicable Transfer Cap.

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee wishes to transfer a number of Transferrable Shares during the Second Period or Third Period and the Applicable Cap for such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee is in excess of such Key Management Investor’s or his Permitted Transferee’s Applicable Transfer Cap if the provisos in the definition of each of Second Period Cap and Third Period Cap (as applicable) were disregarded, then any such excess Transferrable Shares must be transferred pursuant to a Non-Discretionary Sale Program established in accordance with Section 3.4(c)(iii).

(iii) Each Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee may establish a Non-Discretionary Sale Program for the sale of Transferable Shares owned by such Key Management Investor and his Permitted Transferees (A) within thirty (30) days after the beginning of the Second Period to cover sales during the Second Period (any such instituted program, a “ Second Period Non-Discretionary Sale Program ”), and (B) within thirty (30) days after the beginning of the Third Period to cover sales of Transferable Shares within the Third Period (any such instituted program, a “ Third Period Non-Discretionary Sale Program ”); provided , that if the trading window is closed during either such thirty (30) day period, following the opening of the trading window, the applicable thirty (30) day period shall be extended by the number of days the trading window was closed during such period; and provided , further , that any such Second Period Non-Discretionary Sale Program or Third Period Non-Discretionary Sale Program must provide that the minimum price for sales of Transferable Shares pursuant to such program must exceed one-hundred and five percent (105%) of the closing price per Share or equity security of the Registering Entity on the Listing Exchange on the Trading Day immediately prior to the effective date of institution of such any such Second Period Non-Discretionary Sale Program or Third Period Non-Discretionary Sale Program, as applicable. Each Non-Discretionary Sale Program shall not permit the transfer of a number of Transferrable Shares in excess of the Applicable Transfer Cap for such Key Management Investor and his Permitted Transferees from time to time and, to the extent that such Applicable Transfer Cap is reduced at any time, such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee shall amend such Non-Discretionary Sale Program so as to cause the number of Transferrable Shares that such Non-Discretionary Sale Program contemplates transferring to be reduced so as to not exceed the Applicable Transfer Cap for such Key Management Investor and his Permitted Transferees at any time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee may amend any Non-Discretionary Sales Program to provide for sales of excess

 

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Transferable Shares as required by Section 3.4(c)(ii), but in all cases subject to the Applicable Transfer Cap for such Key Management Investor and his Permitted Transferee. For the avoidance of doubt, no Key Management Investor shall be entitled to institute any Non-Discretionary Sale Program during the First Period.

Section 3.5. Black-Out Periods . Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Registration Rights Agreement to the contrary and without regard to whether the restrictions set forth in Section 3.4 apply, each (a) Management Investor, (b) Warrant Investor, in the case of an Initial Public Offering and (c) Warrant Investor that owns, together with its Affiliates, more than 5% of the outstanding Transferable Shares (a “ 5% Warrant Investor ”), in the case of any underwritten offering other than an Initial Public Offering, hereby agrees that during the period beginning seven (7) days before and ending (i) one hundred eighty (180) days in the event of an Initial Public Offering or (ii) ninety (90) days in the event of any other underwritten offering, as applicable, after the date of the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with such underwritten offering, such Management Investor, Warrant Investor or 5% Warrant Investor or its respective Permitted Transferees, as applicable, shall not, to the extent requested by the Company or the selling Silver Lake Investors (depending on which Person is selling Securities) and/or any underwriter, (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any Securities (including Securities that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and Securities that may be issued upon exercise of any Options or warrants) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Securities, (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of Securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) make any demand for or exercise any right or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any Securities or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Securities or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing; provided that if any Silver Lake Investor agrees to such restrictions for any shorter period than prescribed above, then each Management Investor, Warrant Investor, Warrant Investor and 5% Warrant Investor, as applicable, shall only be obligated as provided in this Section 3.5 for such shorter period. If requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters of any such underwritten offering, each Management Investor, Warrant Investor, Warrant Investor and 5% Warrant Investor, as applicable, shall execute a customary agreement on the same terms and conditions as the Silver Lake Investor reflecting its agreement set forth in this Section 3.5.

Section 3.6. Tag-Along Rights .

(a) Subject to Section 3.6(f), if any of the Silver Lake Investors propose to transfer, in one (1) or a series of related transactions, Securities that represent more than ten percent (10%) of all the outstanding Transferable Shares on an as-converted, as-exercised basis (a “ Tag-Along Sale ”) to another Person (including any repurchase of Transferable Shares by the Company or its controlled Affiliates), such Silver Lake Investor (the “ Selling Silver Lake Investor ”) shall give, or direct the Company to give and the Company shall so give, written notice (a “ Transfer Notice ”) of such proposed transfer to each of the Management Investors and Warrant Investors with respect to such Tag-Along Sale at least five (5) Business Days (in the

 

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case of the Management Investors) or ten (10) Business Days (in the case of the Warrant Investors) prior to the consummation of such proposed transfer, setting forth (i) the number of Transferable Shares proposed to be transferred, (ii) the consideration to be received for such Transferable Shares by such Selling Silver Lake Investor, (iii) the identity of the purchaser (the “ Proposed Transferee ”), (iv) any other material terms and conditions of the proposed transfer, (v) the fraction, expressed as a percentage, determined by dividing the number of Transferable Shares to be purchased from the Selling Silver Lake Investor by the total number of Transferable Shares held by the Selling Silver Lake Investor (the “ Tag-Along Sale Percentage ”) and (vi) an invitation to each Management Investor and Warrant Investor to irrevocably agree to include in the Tag-Along Sale a number of Transferable Shares held by such Management Investor or Warrant Investor equal to the product of the total number of Transferable Shares held by such Management Investor or Warrant Investor multiplied by the Tag-Along Sale Percentage (such amount with respect to each Management Investor and Warrant Investor, such Management Investor’s or Warrant Investor’s “ Tag-Along Shares ”). Each Warrant Investor shall be entitled to exercise all or a portion of its Warrants to the extent necessary to sell Warrant Shares permitted to be sold in such Tag-Along Sale, in which case (A) any Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise shall constitute Transferable Shares for purposes of this Section 3.6 and (B) the exercise of such Warrant (or portion thereof) may be conditioned on the consummation of the applicable Tag-Along Sale. In the event that more than one (1) Silver Lake Investor proposes to execute a Tag-Along Sale (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the exercise by any Silver Lake Investor of its own “tag-along” or participation rights), then all such transferring Silver Lake Investors shall be treated as the Selling Silver Lake Investor, and the Transferable Shares held and to be transferred by such Silver Lake Investors shall be aggregated under this Section 3.6, including for purposes of calculating the applicable Tag-Along Sale Percentage.

(b) Upon delivery of a Transfer Notice, each Management Investor and Warrant Investor may irrevocably elect to include such Management Investor’s or Warrant Investor’s Tag-Along Shares in such Tag-Along Sale (Management Investors and Warrant Investors who make such an election being “ Tagging Investors, ” and, together with the Selling Silver Lake Investor and all other Persons (other than any Affiliates of the Selling Silver Lake Investor) who otherwise are transferring, or have exercised a contractual or other right to transfer, Transferable Shares in connection with such Tag-Along Sale, the “ Tag-Along Sellers ”), at the same price per Transferable Share and pursuant to the same terms and conditions as agreed to by the Selling Silver Lake Investor and otherwise in accordance with this Section 3.6, by sending an irrevocable written notice (a “ Tag-Along Participation Notice ”) to the Selling Silver Lake Investor within five (5) Business Days (in the case of the Management Investors) or ten (10) Business Days (in the case of the Warrant Investors) of the date of receipt of the Transfer Notice, indicating such Tagging Investor’s irrevocable election to include his, her or its Tag-Along Shares in the Tag-Along Sale. Following such five (5) or ten (10) Business Day period, as applicable, each Tagging Investor that has delivered a Tag-Along Participation Notice shall be entitled to sell to such Proposed Transferee on the same terms and conditions as and, concurrently with, the Selling Silver Lake Investor and the other Tag-Along Sellers, such Tagging Investor’s Tag-Along Shares. Each Management Investor and Warrant Investor who does not deliver a Tag-Along Participation Notice within such five (5) or ten (10) Business Day period, as applicable, shall have waived and be deemed to have waived all of such Management Investor’s or Warrant Investor’s rights with respect to such Tag-Along Sale. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that in order to be entitled to exercise its, his or her right to include

 

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Tag-Along Shares in a Tag-Along Sale pursuant to this Section 3.6, each Tagging Investor must agree to make the same representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and agreements to the Proposed Transferee as made by the Selling Silver Lake Investor in connection with the Tag-Along Sale (except that in the case of representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and agreements pertaining specifically to the Silver Lake Investor(s), each Management Investor and Warrant Investor shall make the comparable representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and agreements pertaining specifically to itself); provided , that (A) all representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and agreements shall be made by the Silver Lake Investor(s) and each Management Investor and Warrant Investor severally and not jointly and (B) any indemnification obligation in respect of breaches of representations and warranties that relate to the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses shall be apportioned among the Management Investors, the Warrant Investors, the Silver Lake Investors and each other Person who is otherwise transferring, or has exercised a contractual or other right to transfer, Transferable Shares in connection with such Tag-Along Sale, in each case on a pro rata basis to each such Person in accordance with the amount of consideration received by each such Person in such Tag-Along Sale. For the further avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Tagging Investor acknowledges and agrees that in its capacity as a Tagging Investor, it shall not be entitled to any non-economic rights or benefits granted to the Selling Silver Lake Investor in such Tag-Along Sale except for those non-economic rights or benefits that are customary to be received by sellers of the relative portion of equity included in such Tag-Along Sale by the Tagging Investor under circumstances similar to such Tag-Along Sale. With respect to any Shares for which a Tagging Investor holds exercisable and vested but unexercised Options, to the extent that such Shares are to be sold pursuant to this Section 3.6, such Tagging Investor must exercise the relevant Option (which exercise may be conditioned upon the closing of the Tag-Along Sale) and transfer the relevant Shares (rather than the Option) (in each case, net of any amounts required to be withheld by the Company in connection with such exercise). All costs and expenses incurred by the Company and the Tag-Along Sellers in connection with such Tag-Along Sale shall be borne on a pro rata basis in accordance with the number of Transferable Shares being sold by each of the Tag-Along Sellers. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Selling Silver Lake Holders have not completed the proposed Tag-Along Sale within ninety (90) days following delivery of the Transfer Notice in accordance with this Section 3.6, the Selling Silver Lake Holders may not then effect such proposed Tag-Along Sale without again complying with the provisions of this Section 3.6; provided , that such ninety (90) day period shall be extended for up to one-hundred and eighty (180) days to the extent necessary to comply with any regulatory requirements applicable to such proposed Tag-Along Sale.

(c) Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 3.6(b), each Tagging Investor shall take or cause to be taken all such reasonable actions as the Selling Silver Lake Investor deems to be necessary or desirable in order to consummate expeditiously such Tag-Along Sale pursuant to this Section 3.6, including (i) executing, acknowledging and delivering consents, assignments, waivers and other documents or instruments, (ii) filing applications, reports, returns, filings and other documents or instruments with governmental authorities and (iii) otherwise cooperating with the Selling Silver Lake Investor and the Proposed Transferee.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding the delivery of any Transfer Notice, all determinations as to whether to complete any Tag-Along Sale and as to the timing, manner, price and other terms and conditions of any such Tag-Along Sale shall be at the sole discretion of the Selling Silver Lake Investor, and the Selling Silver Lake Investor and its Affiliates shall have no liability to any Management Investor or Warrant Investor arising from, relating to or in connection with the pursuit, consummation, postponement, abandonment or terms and conditions of any proposed Tag-Along Sale except to the extent such Selling Silver Lake Investor failed to comply with the provisions of this Section 3.6.

(e) In the event the consideration to be paid in exchange for Transferrable Shares in a Tag-Along Sale includes any securities, and the receipt thereof by a Tagging Investor would require (i) the registration or qualification of such securities or of any Person as a broker or dealer or agent with respect to such securities, in each case under applicable law, where such registration or qualification is not otherwise required for the Tag-Along Sale by the Selling Silver Lake Investor or (ii) the provision to any Tagging Investor of any specified information regarding such securities or the issuer thereof in order to obtain any exemption under securities laws or as otherwise required by applicable laws or the rules of any stock exchange where such information is not required to be provided to the Selling Silver Lake Investor, then such Tagging Seller shall not have the option to transfer such Tagging Seller’s Tag-Along Shares in such Tag-Along Sale.

(f) This Section 3.6 shall not apply to (i) any transfer in a registered public offering, (ii) any transfers or distributions of Transferable Shares by any Silver Lake Investor for no consideration to its Affiliates, partners, members or other direct or indirect investors (provided that any such transferee agrees to become a party to, to be bound by, and to comply with the provisions of this Agreement as a Silver Lake Investor), (iii) any sale of Shares prior to the consummation of an Initial Public Offering by the Silver Lake Investors to either (A) employees, consultants and/or directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to any employee equity arrangement disclosed to the Warrant Investors as of the date hereof or (B) the Company in connection with a substantially simultaneous offering by the Company of an equivalent number of Shares to employees, consultants and/or directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to any employee equity arrangement pursuant to any employee equity arrangement disclosed to the Warrant Investors as of the date hereof or (iv) any sales upon the exercise of any rights set forth in Section 3.7.

(g) This Section 3.6 shall terminate upon an Initial Public Offering.

Section 3.7. Drag-Along Rights .

(a) Either or both of the Silver Lake Investors may give notice (a “ Drag-Along Notice ”) to the Management Investors and Warrant Investors that (i) the Silver Lake Investor(s) intend to, or to cause the Company to, enter into (or have agreed to vote the Transferable Shares they beneficially own, or to execute a written consent in lieu thereof, in favor of) a transaction or transactions involving the transfer, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of not less than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Transferable Shares (which Transferable Shares to be transferred may include Transferable Shares held by the Management Investors, Warrant Investors and/or other holders of Transferable Shares required to be transferred pursuant to this Section 3.7 or analogous obligations) to one (1) or more Persons (other than the Silver Lake Investors or their affiliated investment funds or their

 

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respective portfolio companies) or (ii) the Silver Lake Investor(s) intend to cause the Company to (A) sell all or substantially all of its assets to another Person or Persons (other than the Silver Lake Investors or their affiliated investment funds or their respective portfolio companies) or (B) merge, amalgamate or consolidate with another Person or Persons (other than the Silver Lake Investors or their affiliated investment funds or their respective portfolio companies) where, immediately after such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, the Persons beneficially owning Shares immediately prior to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation do not beneficially own at least fifty (50%) of the outstanding capital stock of the Person surviving such merger, amalgamation or consolidation (in each case, a “ Drag-Along Sale ”) and that the Silver Lake Investors desire to cause the Management Investors and Warrant Investors to participate in such Drag-Along Sale in the manner set forth in this Section 3.7. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, “Drag-Along Sale” shall not (x) include any proposed transaction contemplated by Section 6.5(a) or Section 6.5(b), or any merger, amalgamation or consolidation for the sole purpose of changing the jurisdiction of formation of the Company or (y) apply to any Warrant Investor until such time as the Term Loans have been repaid in full in accordance with the Amended Credit Agreement. The Drag-Along Notice shall also specify (i) the consideration, if any, to be received by the Silver Lake Investors, the Management Investors and the Warrant Investors and any other material terms and conditions of the proposed Drag-Along Sale (which (x) price and form of consideration shall be the same for the Silver Lake Investors, the Management Investors and the Warrant Investors and (y) other material terms and, subject to Section 3.7(e), conditions shall be the same in all material respects for the Silver Lake Investors, the Management Investors and the Warrant Investors) and (ii) the identity of the other Person or Persons party to the Drag-Along Sale. Upon delivery of the Drag-Along Notice, each Management Investor and Warrant Investor shall be obligated to take the action or actions required of such Management Investor or Warrant Investor in order to complete or facilitate such proposed Drag-Along Sale (including the sale of Transferable Shares held by such Management Investor or Warrant Investor, the voting of all such Transferable Shares in favor of any merger, amalgamation, consolidation or sale of assets and the waiver of any applicable appraisal, dissenters’ or similar rights); provided , however , that, in the case of a sale of Shares, with respect to any Shares for which a Management Investor holds exercisable and vested but unexercised Options, the price per Share shall be reduced by the exercise price of such Options or, if required pursuant to the terms of such Options or such Drag-Along Sale, such Management Investor shall exercise the relevant Option and transfer the relevant Shares (rather than the Option) (in each case, net of any amounts required to be withheld by the Company in connection with such exercise); provided , further , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, in any event the Company shall be permitted to cause all outstanding Options to be treated in such Drag-Along Sale in any manner as permitted by their terms, including any applicable equity plans of the Company; and provided , further , that with respect to any Transferable Shares that constitute Restricted Stock Units, to the extent that (x) any such Restricted Stock Units would not, by the express terms of the grant thereof, automatically vest and be settled in Shares immediately prior to the consummation of such Drag-Along Sale and (y) the counterparty to such Drag-Along Sale does not agree to convert such Restricted Stock Units into comparable restricted stock units on securities of such Person, the Company may segregate the aggregate amount of Drag-Along Sale consideration attributable to such Restricted Stock Units, and the Company (or its successor) shall deposit the applicable amounts of such Drag-Along Sale consideration into escrow (or, if such deposit into escrow would result in a taxable event for a

 

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Management Investor prior to the satisfaction of the vesting criteria applicable to the Restricted Stock Units, receive such consideration as a general asset of the Company (or its successor) and maintain a book entry account in the name of each holder of such Restricted Stock Units on the books of the Company for the amount of such consideration due to each such holder) for release (or payment, as applicable) to the holders of such Restricted Stock Units upon the satisfaction of the vesting criteria applicable thereto following such Drag-Along Sale (or, upon the failure of such vesting criteria to be satisfied, such consideration shall be released (or paid, as applicable) to (i) the Silver Lake Investors, the Warrant Investors and the other Management Investors transferring Transferable Shares in connection with such Drag-Along Sale and (ii) each other Person who is otherwise transferring, or has exercised a contractual or other right to transfer, Transferable Shares in connection with such Drag-Along Sale, in each case on a pro rata basis to each such Person in accordance with the amount of consideration otherwise received by each such Person in such Drag-Along Sale); and provided , further , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, in any event the Company shall be permitted to cause all outstanding Restricted Stock Units to be treated in such Drag-Along Sale in any manner as permitted by their terms, including any applicable equity plans of the Company. For the further avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, each Management Investor and Warrant Investor acknowledges and agrees that it shall not be entitled to any non-economic rights or benefits granted to the Silver Lake Investors or the Company in such Drag-Along Sale except for those non-economic rights or benefits that are customary to be received by sellers of the relative portion of equity included in such Drag-Along Sale by such Management Investor and Warrant Investor under circumstances similar to such Drag-Along Sale. If the Silver Lake Investors are transferring less than all of the Transferable Shares held by the Silver Lake Investors, then each Management Investor and Warrant Investor will transfer a number of Transferable Shares equal to the product of the following: (x) the number of Transferable Shares beneficially owned by such Management Investor or Warrant Investor multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate number of Transferable Shares being transferred by the Silver Lake Investors and the denominator of which equals the aggregate number of Transferable Shares beneficially owned by the Silver Lake Investors. All costs and expenses incurred by the Silver Lake Investors and the Company in connection with such Drag-Along Sale, together with the cost of one (1) legal counsel for the Management Investors in connection with such Drag-Along Sale in an amount not to exceed $50,000 and one (1) legal counsel for the Warrant Investors in connection with such Drag-Along Sale in an amount not to exceed $50,000, shall either be (i) borne in full by the Company or (ii) allocated and borne by the Management Investors, the Warrant Investors, the Silver Lake Investors and each other Person who is otherwise transferring, or has exercised a contractual or other right to transfer, Transferable Shares in connection with such Drag-Along Sale, in each case on a pro rata basis to each such Person in accordance with the amount of consideration received by each such Person in such Drag-Along Sale. All other costs and expenses incurred by any Management Investor or Warrant Investor in connection with such transaction shall be borne in full by such Management Investor or Warrant Investor.

(b) In connection with any Drag-Along Sale pursuant to this Section 3.7, (i) such Drag-Along Sale shall be on the terms and conditions the Silver Lake Investor(s) determine and (ii) each Management Investor and Warrant Investor shall agree to make the same representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and agreements as made by the Silver Lake Investor(s) in connection with such Drag-Along Sale (except that in the case of representations,

 

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warranties, covenants, indemnities and agreements pertaining specifically to the Silver Lake Investor(s), each Management Investor and Warrant Investor shall make the comparable representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and agreements pertaining specifically to itself); provided , that (A) all representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and agreements shall be made by the Silver Lake Investor(s) and each Management Investor and Warrant Investor severally and not jointly and (B) any indemnification obligation in respect of breaches of representations and warranties that relate to the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses (1) shall be apportioned among the Management Investors, the Warrant Investors, the Silver Lake Investors and each other Person who is otherwise transferring, or has exercised a contractual or other right to transfer, Transferable Shares in connection with such Drag-Along Sale, in each case on a pro rata basis to each such Person in accordance with the amount of consideration received by each such Person in such Drag-Along Sale, and (2) shall be in an amount not to exceed the aggregate proceeds received by such Management Investor or Warrant Investor in connection with any such Drag-Along Sale consummated pursuant to this Section 3.7 and (D) the Warrant Investors shall not be required to agree to any non-competition, employee non-solicitation or similar restrictive covenants.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Management Investor and Warrant Investor shall take or cause to be taken all such reasonable actions as the Silver Lake Investor(s) deem to be necessary or desirable in order to consummate expeditiously such Drag-Along Sale pursuant to this Section 3.7, including (i) executing, acknowledging and delivering consents, assignments, waivers and other documents or instruments, (ii) filing applications, reports, returns, filings and other documents or instruments with governmental authorities and (iii) otherwise cooperating with the Silver Lake Investor(s) and the other Person or Persons party to the Drag-Along Sale. Notwithstanding the delivery of any Drag-Along Notice, all determinations as to whether to complete any Drag-Along Sale and as to the timing, manner, price and other terms and conditions of any such Drag-Along Sale shall be at the sole discretion of the applicable Silver Lake Investor(s) and the Silver Lake Investors and their Affiliates shall have no liability to any Management Investor or Warrant Investor arising from, relating to or in connection with the pursuit, consummation, postponement, abandonment or terms and conditions of any proposed Drag-Along Sale except to the extent such selling Silver Lake Investor failed to comply with the provisions of this Section 3.7.

(d) If any Management Investor or Warrant Investor fails to transfer such Management Investor’s or Warrant Investor’s Transferable Shares required to be transferred or sold in such Drag-Along Sale pursuant to Section 3.7(a) (such Transferable Shares, “ Drag Covered Transferable Shares ”), the Silver Lake Investors may, at their option, in addition to all other remedies they may have, deposit the purchase price (including any promissory note constituting all or any portion thereof) for such Drag Covered Transferable Shares with any national bank or trust company having combined capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $500 million (the “ Drag-Along Escrow Agent ”), and thereupon all of such Management Investor’s or Warrant Investor’s rights in and to such Drag Covered Transferable Shares shall terminate. Thereafter, upon delivery to the Company by such Management Investor or Warrant Investor of appropriate documentation evidencing the transfer of such Drag Covered Transferable Shares to the purchaser in such Drag-Along Sale, the Silver Lake Investors shall instruct the Drag-Along Escrow Agent to deliver the purchase price (without any interest from the date of the closing of such Drag-Along Sale to the date of such delivery, as any such interest to accrue to the Company) to such Management Investor or Warrant Investor.

 

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(e) In the event the consideration to be paid in exchange for Transferable Shares in a Drag-Along Sale includes any securities, and the receipt thereof by a Management Investor or Warrant Investor would require (i) the registration or qualification of such securities or of any Person as a broker or dealer or agent with respect to such securities, in each case under applicable law, where such registration or qualification is not otherwise required for the Drag-Along Sale by the applicable Silver Lake Investor(s) or (ii) the provision to any Management Investor or Warrant Investor of any specified information regarding such securities or the issuer thereof in order to obtain any exemption under securities laws or as otherwise required by applicable laws or the rules of any stock exchange where such information is not required to be provided to the applicable Silver Lake Investor(s), then the applicable Silver Lake Investor may elect to deliver to such Management Investor or Warrant Investor an amount of cash equal to the fair market value (as determined by the applicable Silver Lake Investor(s)) of the non-cash consideration that would otherwise be paid to such Management Investor or Warrant Investor in such Drag-Along Sale.

(f) This Section 3.7 shall terminate upon an Initial Public Offering.

ARTICLE IV

PARTICIPATION RIGHTS

Section 4.1. Certain Definitions . As used in this Article IV:

(a) “ Participation Portion ” means, for each Management Investor and Warrant Investor, as of the date of the relevant Participation Notice, the product of (i) the total number or aggregate principal amount of Participation Securities proposed to be issued by the Company in the Post-Closing Issuance as set forth in the Participation Notice, and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate number of Transferable Shares owned by such Management Investor or Warrant Investor as of the date of the relevant Participation Notice and the denominator of which is the total number of outstanding Transferable Shares as of the date of the relevant Participation Notice.

(b) “ Participation Securities ” means the number of Securities or debt securities that are convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Securities proposed to be sold by the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.

(c) “ Post-Closing Issuance ” means any issuance by the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries after the date of this Agreement of Securities or debt securities that are convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

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Section 4.2. Right of Participation .

(a) Notice . Subject to Section 4.2(g) and Section 4.3, not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the consummation of any Post-Closing Issuance, the Company shall deliver a notice regarding such Post-Closing Issuance (the “ Participation Notice ”) to each Management Investor and Warrant Investor, which Participation Notice shall include the principal terms and conditions of the proposed Post-Closing Issuance, including (i) a description and the number of Participation Securities expected to be included in the Post-Closing Issuance, (ii) the maximum and minimum price per unit of the Participation Securities, including a description of any non-cash consideration sufficiently detailed to permit valuation thereof, and (iii) if known, the proposed date of Post-Closing Issuance.

(b) Exercise .

(i) General . Subject to Section 4.2(g) and Section 4.3, each Management Investor and Warrant Investor shall have the right to purchase such portion of the Participation Securities to be included in the Post-Closing Issuance as may be requested by such Management Investor or Warrant Investor (not to exceed (x) such Management Investor’s or Warrant Investor’s Participation Portion of the total amount of Participation Securities to be included in the Post-Closing Issuance, plus (y) if and to the extent any Management Investors or Warrant Investor does not subscribe for its full Participation Portion, a pro rata share of such undersubscription based on the relative Participation Portions of those Management Investors and Warrant Investors that elect to participate in such undersubscription), on the same terms and conditions and at the same price per unit, with respect to each Participation Security issued. In order to exercise such right, each Management Investor and Warrant Investor shall provide written notice of such exercise to the Company within five (5) Business Days (in the case of the Management Investors) or ten (10) Business Days (in the case of the Warrant Investors) after the date of receipt of the Participation Notice specifying the number or aggregate principal amount of Participation Securities (not to exceed such Management Investor’s or Warrant Investor’s Participation Portion of the total number of Participation Securities to be included in the Post-Closing Issuance) that such Management Investor or Warrant Investor desires to purchase (each an “ Exercising Investor ”). Each Management Investor and Warrant Investor who does not exercise such right in compliance with the above requirements, including the applicable time periods, shall be deemed to have waived all of such Management Investor’s or Warrant Investor’s rights to participate in such Post-Closing Issuance and the Company shall thereafter be free to issue Participation Securities in such Post-Closing Issuance to the Prospective purchaser or purchasers of such Securities (such purchaser(s), the “ Prospective Purchaser ”), any Exercising Investors and any other shareholders of the Company, at a price no less than the minimum price set forth in the Participation Notice and on other principal terms and conditions not materially more favorable to the Prospective Purchaser than those set forth in the Participation Notice (“ Compliant Terms ”), without any further obligation to such non-exercising Management Investor or Warrant Investor pursuant to this Article IV. If, prior to consummation, the terms of such proposed Post-Closing Issuance shall change with the result that the price shall be less than the minimum price set forth in the Participation Notice or the other principal terms shall be materially more favorable to the Prospective Purchaser than those set forth in the Participation Notice, it shall be necessary for a separate Participation Notice to be furnished, and the terms and provisions of this Section 4.2 separately complied with, in order to consummate such Post-Closing Issuance pursuant to this Section 4.2.

 

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(ii) Irrevocable Exercise . The exercise by each Exercising Investor of its rights under this Article IV shall be irrevocable except as hereinafter provided, and each such Exercising Investor shall be bound and obligated to acquire the Participation Securities in the Post-Closing Issuance as such Exercising Investor shall have specified in such Exercising Investor’s written commitment on the price, terms and conditions of such Post-Closing Issuance so long as they are Compliant Terms.

(iii) Time Limitation . If at the end of the ninetieth (90 th ) day after the date of the delivery of the Participation Notice the Company has not completed the Post-Closing Issuance, each Exercising Investor shall be released from such holder’s obligations under this Article IV with respect to the offer subject to such Participation Notice, the Participation Notice shall be null and void, and it shall be necessary for a separate Participation Notice to be furnished to all Management Investors and Warrant Investors, and the terms and provisions of this Section 4.2 separately complied with, in order to consummate such Post-Closing Issuance pursuant to this Section 4.2; provided , that such ninety (90) day period shall be extended for up to one-hundred and eighty (180) days to the extent necessary to comply with any regulatory requirements applicable to such proposed Post-Closing Issuance.

(c) Post-Issuance Participation Notice . Notwithstanding the first sentence of Section 4.2(a), the Company may elect to deliver a Participation Notice with respect to any Post-Closing Issuance after completion of such Post-Closing Issuance. If the Company shall so elect to deliver any Participation Notice after completion of the applicable Post-Closing Issuance, then the terms of such Post-Closing Issuance shall be required to permit each of the Management Investors and Warrant Investors receiving such Participation Notice a period of not less than five (5) Business Days (in the case of Management Investors) or ten (10) Business Days (in the case of Warrant Investors) after delivery thereof to deliver to the Company with a written confirmation to purchase the amount of Participation Securities included in such Post-Closing Issuance (whether pursuant to the resale of Participation Securities by the initial purchaser(s) of such Participation Securities or the issuance by the Company of additional Participation Securities) to which such Management Investor or Warrant Investor would have been entitled to purchase upon the terms, and subject to the conditions, set forth in Section 4.2(a) and (b).

(d) Further Assurances . Each Exercising Investor shall take or cause to be taken all such reasonable actions as the Company deems to be necessary or desirable in order to consummate expeditiously each Post-Closing Issuance pursuant to this Section 4.2 and any related transactions, including (i) executing, acknowledging and delivering consents, assignments, waivers and other documents or instruments, (ii) filing applications, reports, returns, filings and other documents or instruments with governmental authorities and (iii) otherwise cooperating with the Company and the Prospective Purchaser. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each such Exercising Investor agrees to execute and deliver such subscription and other agreements as shall be reasonably requested by the Company in connection with such Post-Closing Issuance.

(e) Expenses . All costs and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any proposed Post-Closing Issuance of Participation Securities (whether or not consummated), including all attorney’s fees and charges, all accounting fees and charges and all

 

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finders, brokerage or investment banking fees, charges or commissions, shall be paid by the Company. Any costs and expenses incurred by any Management Investor or Warrant Investor in connection with such proposed Post-Closing Issuance of Participation Securities (whether or not consummated) shall be borne by such Management Investor or Warrant Investor.

(f) Closing . The closing of a Post-Closing Issuance pursuant to this Section 4.2 (the “ Participation Closing ”) shall take place on such date, at such time and at such place as the Company shall specify by notice to each Exercising Investor. At any Participation Closing, each Exercising Investor shall be delivered the certificates or other instruments evidencing the Participation Securities to be issued to such Exercising Investor, registered in the name of such Exercising Investor or such holder’s designated nominee, with any transfer tax stamps affixed, against delivery by such Exercising Investor of the applicable consideration by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account or accounts designated by the Company.

(g) Securities Law Matters . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, a Management Investor or Warrant Investor shall not be entitled to participate in a Post-Closing Issuance pursuant to this Section 4.2 unless at the time of such Post-Closing Issuance the Company shall be reasonably satisfied that (i) (A) such Management Investor or Warrant Investor is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act or (B) the Post-Closing Issuance, after giving effect to the participation of such Management Investor or Warrant Investor therein, would satisfy the requirements of any other exemption from registration available at such time under the Securities Act with respect to such Post-Closing Issuance, and (ii) an exemption from registration or qualification under any state securities laws or foreign securities laws applicable to such Post-Closing Issuance due to the participation of such Management Investor or Warrant Investor therein would be available with respect to such Post-Closing Issuance.

Section 4.3. Excluded Transactions . The provisions of this Article IV shall not apply to Post-Closing Issuances by the Company as follows:

(a) any Post-Closing Issuance of Securities or debt securities to be issued by any of the Company’s wholly-owned Subsidiaries to the Company and/or to any other wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Company, in each case to the extent such Post-Closing Issuance of Securities is not otherwise intended to circumvent the requirements of this Article IV;

(b) any Post-Closing Issuance of Securities, in each case to the extent approved by the Board, to officers, employees, directors or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Person’s employment or consulting arrangements with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the service of such person as a director;

(c) any Post-Closing Issuance of Securities, in each case to the extent approved by the Board, (i) as consideration for any business combination or acquisition transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) in connection with any joint venture or strategic partnership or alliance or (iii) in connection with the incurrence or guarantee of indebtedness by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or the amendment of any of the terms thereof);

 

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(d) any Post-Closing Issuance of Shares pursuant to an Initial Public Offering;

(e) any Post-Closing Issuance of Securities in connection with any stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization approved by the Board (so long as all holders of the same class or series of Transferable Shares are treated equally with all other holders of such class or series of Transferable Shares);

(f) any Post-Closing Issuance of Transferable Shares to any Person (or any Affiliate of a Person) that has or is entering into a strategic or commercial relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or provides other strategic or commercial benefits to the Company or its Subsidiaries as determined in good faith by the Board (so long as the primary purpose of such Post-Closing Issuance is not the provision of financing by such Person to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries); and

(g) any Post-Closing Issuance of Securities pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of Participation Securities issued in compliance with this Article IV.

Section 4.4. Termination of Article IV . This Article IV terminates upon an Initial Public Offering.

ARTICLE V

CALL & OFFER TO PURCHASE RIGHTS

Section 5.1. Certain Definitions . As used in this Article V:

(a) “ Call Date ” means the date on which the Company delivers a notice to a Management Investor of the Company’s exercise of a Call with respect to all or a portion of the Call Shares of the Call Group for such Management Investor.

(b) “ Call Group ” means, for any Management Investor, such Management Investor and his, her or its current or former Permitted Transferees who then hold Call Shares.

(c) “ Call Shares Price ” means for any Call Shares, (A) if the employment or service of the Applicable Employee for such Management Investor with the Company and all of its Subsidiaries is terminated for Cause, a price equal to the lower of (x) the FMV per Share as of the Call Date and (y) the Cost of such Call Shares and (B) in the event clause (A) does not apply, a price equal to the FMV per Share as of the Call Date.

(d) “ Call Termination Date ” means the close of business on the thirtieth (30th) calendar day, or if such day is not a Business Day, the next Business Day after such thirtieth (30th) calendar day, after the date of termination of the employment or service of the Applicable Employee for such Management Investor with the Company and all of its Subsidiaries (or, with respect to Call Shares acquired upon the exercise of an Option or similar purchase right, or in settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit, in either case following such date of termination, the close of business on the thirtieth (30th) calendar day, or if such day is not a Business Day, the next Business Day after such thirtieth (30th) calendar day, after the date of such exercise or settlement, as applicable); provided , however , that if any Call Share (including

 

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any Call Share that is issued upon the exercise of an Option or in settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit) has been collectively held by the Call Group for such Management Investor for six (6) months or less at any time the Company is entitled to Call such Call Share but for this proviso, the “ Call Termination Date ” shall mean the close of business on the thirtieth (30th) calendar day after such Call Share has first been collectively held by the Call Group for greater than six (6) months.

(e) “ Cause ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the employment, severance and change of control, consulting or other similar agreement between the Company or any of its Affiliates and the Applicable Employee for such Management Investor, or if no such agreement exists or if “Cause” is not defined therein or in an applicable award agreement, then Cause shall mean any of the following: (i) such Applicable Employee’s willful and continued failure substantially to perform his or her duties (other than as a result of total or partial incapacity due to physical or mental illness); (ii) such Applicable Employee’s gross negligence or willful malfeasance in the performance of his or her duties; (iii) such Applicable Employee’s commission of an act constituting fraud, embezzlement, or any other act constituting a felony or other similar offense under applicable law; (iv) such Applicable Employee being repeatedly under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while performing his or her duties; or (v) any other act or omission which is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of the Company or any of its Affiliates as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Company, including such Applicable Employee’s breach of the provisions of any non-solicitation, non-competition, trade secret or confidentiality covenant in favor of the Company or its Affiliates binding upon such Applicable Employee. The existence or non-existence of Cause with respect to any such Applicable Employee will be determined in good faith by the Board. For purposes of this Article V, “ Cause ” shall also include a resignation by such Applicable Employee without Good Reason at a time at which the Company or any Subsidiary could have terminated the Applicable Employee for Cause.

(f) “ Cost ” means (i) with respect to any Call Share that is not a Rollover Share and is acquired upon exercise of any Option or similar purchase right, the exercise price with respect to such Option or purchase right, (ii) with respect to any other Call Share that is not a Rollover Share, the purchase price paid for such Call Share by the original holder thereof, and (iii) with respect to any Call Share that is a Rollover Share, the Merger Consideration (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

(g) “ FMV per Share ” means, as of any date of determination, the price per Share or other Security determined as follows:

(i) The FMV per Share shall be the fair market value of such Share or other Security determined in good faith by the Board (which, for the avoidance of doubt, will include the Board’s review and due consideration of (x) the most recent independent third party valuations of the Company or the Company’s equity and (y) any other valuations with respect to the Company or the Company’s equity) and otherwise in accordance with applicable law. In determining FMV per Share, solely with respect to Rollover Shares, no discount shall be taken on account of minority ownership or lack of marketability.

 

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(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the value of a Share or other Security shall at all times be determined in a manner intended to be consistent with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder), as may be amended from time to time.

(h) “ Good Reason ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the employment, severance and change of control, consulting or other similar agreement between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and the Applicable Employee for such Management Investor, or if no such agreement exists or if “Good Reason” is not defined therein, then Good Reason shall be inapplicable with respect to such Applicable Employee.

(i) “ Incentive Shares ” means any Shares that (i) were or will be acquired upon exercise of any vested Options that were assumed by the Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement and that were unvested as of immediately following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “ Merger ”), (ii) were or will be issued in settlement of those time-vesting Restricted Stock Units that were received by a Management Investor in substitution for performance stock units of SMART in accordance with the rollover commitment letter between the Company and the applicable Management Investor (the “ Rollover Letter ”), or (iii) any other Transferable Shares, including, without limitation, any such shares acquired upon the exercise of vested Options that were granted to an Applicable Employee following the consummation of the Merger.

(j) “ Investment Shares ” means any Shares that (i) were acquired by a Management Investor in connection with his, her or its investment in the Company pursuant to the Rollover Letter and the Equity Contribution and Subscription Agreement or otherwise, but excluding Incentive Shares, or (ii) were or will be acquired upon exercise of any vested Options that were assumed by the Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement and that were vested as of immediately following the Merger.

(k) “ Rollover Shares ” means any Investment Shares and any Shares described in clauses (i) and (ii) of the definition of Incentive Shares.

Section 5.2. Call .

(a) Except as otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and any Management Investor, the Company (and, to the extent provided in Section 5.4, the Silver Lake Investors) shall have the right, but not the obligation, by one (1) or more written notices delivered to a Management Investor on or prior to the Call Termination Date, to purchase, from time to time, all or any portion of (i) the Incentive Shares owned by the Call Group for such Management Investor if the employment or service of the Applicable Employee of such Management Investor with the Company and all of its Subsidiaries shall terminate or end for any reason whatsoever at any time and/or (ii) the Investment Shares owned by the Call Group for such Management Investor if (A) the Company and all of its Subsidiaries terminate the employment or service of the Applicable Employee of such Management Investor for Cause or (B) the Applicable Employee of such Management Investor resigns from the Company and its Subsidiaries without Good Reason, in each case on or prior to the second anniversary of the Merger (including, as provided herein, following the exercise of any Options or similar purchase

 

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right subsequent to such termination of employment or service) (collectively, as applicable, the “ Call Shares ”) at the applicable Call Shares Price upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Article V (a “ Call ”); provided , however , that in no event shall the Company (and/or, to the extent provided in Section 5.4, the Silver Lake Investors) be entitled to deliver any such notice with respect to any Call Share (including any Call Share that is issued upon the exercise of an Option) unless and until such Call Share has been issued, vested (if applicable) and outstanding for at least six (6) months, after which the Company (and/or, to the extent provided in Section 5.4, the Silver Lake Investors) shall be entitled to deliver any such notice on or prior to the Call Termination Date and effectuate a Call of such Call Shares.

(b) Upon the exercise of a Call with respect to any Call Shares pursuant to this Section 5.2, (i) the Company shall, as soon as reasonably practical after the Call Date, purchase such Call Shares from the Call Group of such Management Investor, as applicable, for the Call Shares Price, in each case (x) payable in cash and (y) minus any applicable tax withholdings, and (ii) each member of the Call Group of such Management Investor shall, simultaneously therewith, transfer such Call Shares to the Company free and clear of all Encumbrances by delivering to the Company such instruments of transfer as shall reasonably be requested by the Company.

Section 5.3. Settlement with Company Note . If, at the time the Company exercises its Call right with respect to the Call Shares of the Call Group of any Management Investor, the Company is not permitted to pay the Call Price in cash, or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries are prevented from distributing to the Company sufficient funds to pay the Call Price in cash, pursuant to the then applicable terms and conditions of the agreements governing indebtedness for money borrowed of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, then Company shall have the option to settle its obligations to purchase the Call Shares of the Call Group of such Management Investor pursuant to Section 5.2 by delivery to each member of the Call Group of such Management Investor at the closing of the purchase of such Call Shares a promissory note of the Company in a face amount equal to the Call Price (but only the portion of the Call Price which the Company is not so permitted to pay or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries are prevented from distributing to the Company sufficient funds to pay) of such Call Shares (a “ Company Note ”). Each Company Note shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to (x) the rate of interest per annum from time to time published in the money rates section of the Wall Street Journal or any successor publication thereto as the “prime rate” then in effect plus (y) 150 basis points. Each Company Note shall (i) be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of the Company’s indebtedness for money borrowed, (ii) mature no later than the five (5) year anniversary of the Call Date and (iii) provide for mandatory prepayment without premium or penalty within ninety (90) days after, but only to the extent that, the terms and conditions of the agreements governing indebtedness for money borrowed of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries subsequently would permit the Company to so prepay and permit the Company’s Subsidiaries to distribute to the Company sufficient funds to so prepay; provided , that if there is more than one (1) Company Note outstanding at any time that the terms and conditions of the agreements governing indebtedness for money borrowed of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries would then permit the Company to prepay, and permit the Company’s Subsidiaries to distribute to the Company sufficient funds to prepay, less than all of the then-outstanding Company Notes to occur, the Company shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the agreements governing indebtedness for money borrowed of the Company or any of its

 

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Subsidiaries, prepay such Company Notes beginning with the longest outstanding Company Notes and proceed to prepay Company Notes issued in chronological order to the extent the Company is permitted to prepay, and the Company’s Subsidiaries are permitted to distribute to the Company sufficient funds to prepay, such Company Notes pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements governing indebtedness for money borrowed of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Section 5.4. Call Option of the Silver Lake Investors . If, at any time prior to the Call Termination Date, the Company shall determine not to exercise its Call right pursuant to this Article V with respect to all or any portion of the Call Shares of a Call Group for any Management Investor, then the Company shall promptly notify the Silver Lake Investors of such determination. In such event, the Silver Lake Investors shall have the right to exercise the Call right pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Article V (other than Section 5.3) in the same manner as the Company with respect to any Call Shares not so purchased by the Company, which right may be exercised at any time prior to the later of (A) the Call Termination Date and (B) fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice from the Company that it has determined not to exercise the Call, but in no event later than fifteen (15) days after the Call Termination Date.

Section 5.5. Offer to Purchase Investment Shares . Except as otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and a Management Investor, if the employment or service of the Applicable Employee of any Management Investor with the Company and all of its Subsidiaries shall terminate for any reason other than for Cause after the second anniversary of the Merger, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, by written notice delivered to such Management Investor on or prior to the thirtieth (30 th ) calendar day following such termination, to offer to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Investment Shares then owned by the Call Group for such Management Investor (including, as provided herein, following the exercise of any Options or similar purchase right subsequent to such termination of employment or service) (the “ Offered Shares ”) for an amount in cash, minus any applicable tax withholdings, equal to the product of the FMV per Share on the date such offer is made (unless the last sentence of this Section 5.5 requires a different price) multiplied by the number of such Offered Shares held by the Call Group for such Management Investor (the “ Offer Price ”). The Call Group for such Management Investor shall be under no obligation to accept such offer, but may accept such offer only for all and not less than all of the Offered Shares owned by such Call Group. In the event that the Call Group for such Management Investor accepts the Company’s offer to purchase the Offered Shares, then, as soon as reasonably practical after the Company’s receipt of a written acceptance of such offer, (i) the Company shall purchase such Offered Shares from such Call Group, as applicable, for the Offer Price, in each case (x) payable in cash and (y) minus any applicable tax withholdings, and (ii) each member of the Call Group of such Management Investor, simultaneously therewith, shall transfer the Offered Shares to the Company free and clear of all Encumbrances by delivering to the Company such instruments of transfer as shall reasonably be requested by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Call Group of such Management Investor accepts such offer with respect to any Offered Share that was acquired upon the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit or the exercise of an Option, then the Company’s offer to purchase such Offered Share shall (i) if such Offered Share is subject to an unexercised Option, be conditional upon the exercise of such Option and (ii) remain open, and irrevocable by either party, until such Offered Share has been vested (if applicable) and outstanding for at least six (6) months and the Offer Price for such Offered Share shall be the

 

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FMV per Share at the time such purchase is consummated (and in all events such purchase must be consummated within five (5) Business Days following the date on which the last Offered Share for which the offer to purchase has been accepted has been vested and outstanding for six (6) months).

Section 5.6. Further Assurances . Upon receipt of a notice of exercise of any Call from the Company (or, to the extent provided in Section 5.4, the Silver Lake Investors), each member of the Call Group for any Management Investor, as applicable, shall be obligated to take all action or actions reasonably requested of such Call Group member that are necessary or appropriate to complete or facilitate such Call pursuant to this Article V. Upon the acceptance by a Call Group of the Company’s offer to purchase the Offered Shares, each member of the Call Group for any Management Investor, as applicable, shall be obligated to take all action or actions reasonably requested of such Call Group member that are necessary or appropriate to complete or facilitate such purchase of such Offered Shares pursuant to Section 5.5.

Section 5.7. Termination of Article V . The right of the Company (or, to the extent provided in Section 5.4, the Silver Lake Investors) to effect a Call or to make an offer to purchase any Offered Shares, each as set forth in this Article V, shall terminate upon an Initial Public Offering, unless a notice of exercise of any such Call has been given prior to the Initial Public Offering or a written acceptance of any such offer to purchase Offered Shares has been received by the Company prior to the Initial Public Offering.

ARTICLE VI

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

Section 6.1. Further Assurances . From time to time, at the reasonable request of the Company and without further consideration, each party hereto shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such further action as may be necessary or appropriate to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 6.2. Other Businesses; Waiver of Certain Duties .

(a) The parties expressly acknowledge and agree that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (i) each of the Silver Lake Investors and each of the Warrant Investors (including (A) its respective Affiliates, (B) any portfolio company in which it or any of its investment fund Affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa) or (C) any of its limited partners, non-managing members or other similar direct or indirect investors) and the directors of the Company appointed by each of the Silver Lake Investors has the right to, and shall have no duty (fiduciary, contractual or otherwise) not to, directly or indirectly engage in and possess interests in other business ventures of every type and description, including those engaged in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or deemed to be competing with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on its own account, or in partnership with, or as an employee, officer, director or shareholder of any other Person, with no obligation to offer to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any Management Investor, any Warrant Investor or any other shareholder of the Company or any of

 

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its Subsidiaries the right to participate therein; (ii) each of the Silver Lake Investors and each of the Warrant Investors (including (A) its respective Affiliates, (B) any portfolio company in which it or any of its investment fund Affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa) or (C) any of its limited partners, non-managing members or other similar direct or indirect investors) and the directors of the Company appointed by each of the Silver Lake Investors may invest in, or provide services to, any Person that directly or indirectly competes with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (iii) in the event that any of the Silver Lake Investors or any of the Warrant Investors (including (A) its respective Affiliates, (B) any portfolio company in which it or any of its investment fund Affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa) or (C) any of its limited partners, non-managing members or other similar direct or indirect investors) or any director of the Company appointed by any of the Silver Lake Investors acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate or other business opportunity for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, such Person shall have no duty (fiduciary, contractual or otherwise) to communicate or present such corporate opportunity to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any Management Investor, any Warrant Investor or any other shareholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, and, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, shall not be liable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any Management Investor, any Warrant Investor or any other shareholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or their respective Affiliates) for breach of any duty (fiduciary, contractual or otherwise) by reason of the fact that such Person, directly or indirectly, pursues or acquires such opportunity for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person or does not present such opportunity to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any Management Investor, any Warrant Investor or any other shareholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or their respective Affiliates). For the avoidance of doubt, the parties acknowledge that this paragraph is intended to disclaim and renounce, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the matters set forth herein, and this paragraph shall be construed to effect such disclaimer and renunciation to the full extent permitted by law.

(b) Each Management Investor and Warrant Investor also acknowledges and agrees that, subject to Section 6.6, the Silver Lake Investors or their Affiliates will receive certain on-going fees relating to their management of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and certain exit transactions and expense reimbursement and other rights under the Management Agreement.

(c) Each Management Investor and Warrant Investor (for itself and on behalf of the Company) hereby, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:

(i) confirms that neither of the Silver Lake Investors nor any of their respective Affiliates have any duty to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to any Management Investor or Warrant Investor or any other shareholder of the Company other than the specific covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement;

(ii) acknowledges and agrees that (A) in the event of any conflict of interest between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and a Silver Lake Investor or any of its Affiliates, on the other hand, the Silver Lake Investor (or any director of the Company appointed by the Silver Lake Investors acting in his or her

 

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capacity as a director) may act in its best interest and (B) none of the Silver Lake Investors or any of their Affiliates or any director of the Company appointed by the Silver Lake Investors acting in his or her capacity as a director shall be obligated (1) to reveal to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries confidential information belonging to or relating to the business of such Person or any of its Affiliates or (2) to recommend or take any action in its capacity as a shareholder or director, as the case may be, that prefers the interest of the Company or its Subsidiaries over the interest of such Person; and

(iii) waives any claim or cause of action against the Silver Lake Investors, any director of the Company appointed by the Silver Lake Investors and any officer, employee, agent or Affiliate of any such Person that may from time to time arise in respect of a breach by any such person of any duty or obligation disclaimed under Section 6.2(c)(i) or Section 6.2(c)(ii).

(d) Each of the parties hereto agrees that the waivers, limitations, acknowledgments and agreements set forth in this Section 6.2 shall not apply to any alleged claim or cause of action against either of the Silver Lake Investors based upon the breach or nonperformance by such Silver Lake Investor of this Agreement or any other agreement to which such Person is a party.

(e) The provisions of this Section 6.2, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of the Silver Lake Investors or any director of the Company appointed by the Silver Lake Investors otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Silver Lake Investors or any such director of the Company appointed by the Silver Lake Investors to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

Section 6.3. Confidentiality . The terms of this Agreement and any information relating to any exercise of rights hereunder shall be confidential and no Management Investor or Warrant Investor shall disclose to any Person not a party to this Agreement any of the terms of this Agreement, except (a) to such Management Investor’s or Warrant Investor’s advisors, agents, accountants and attorneys, in each case so long as such Persons agree to keep such information confidential, (b) to a Permitted Transferee or other transferee pursuant to a transfer by such Management Investor or Warrant Investor in accordance with Article III and (c) in the case of a Warrant Investor, to (x) prospective Permitted Transferees of such Warrant Investor’s Transferable Shares so long as they agree to be bound by the confidentiality provisions hereof or (y) the limited partners or other investors of such Warrant Investor or its affiliated investment funds so long as they are subject to confidentiality obligations to such Warrant Investor or affiliated investment funds; provided , in each case, that such Warrant Investor or affiliated investment fund enforces such confidentiality obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Management Investor or Warrant Investor shall disclose or use in any manner whatsoever, in whole or in part, any information concerning the Company, any of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any of its or their respective employees, directors or consultants received on a confidential basis from the Company or any other Person under or pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates including financial terms and financial and organizational information contained in any documents, statements, certificates, materials or information furnished, or to be furnished, by or

 

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on behalf of the Company or any other Person in connection with the purchase or ownership of any Securities; provided , however , that (i) the foregoing shall not be construed, now or in the future, to apply to any information reflected in any recorded document, information which is independently developed by such Management Investor or Warrant Investor, information obtained from sources other than the Company, any of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any of its or their employees, directors, consultants, agents or representatives (including attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, engineers and insurance brokers) or information that is or becomes in the public domain through no fault of such Management Investor or Warrant Investor or any of his, her or its Permitted Transferees, nor shall it be construed to prevent such Management Investor or Warrant Investor from making any disclosure of any information (A) if required to do so by any statute, law, treaty, rule, regulation, order, decree, writ, injunction or determination of any court or other governmental authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Management Investor or Warrant Investor, (B) pursuant to subpoena and (C) in the case of a Warrant Investor, to (x) prospective Permitted Transferees of such Warrant Investor’s Transferable Shares so long as they agree to be bound by the confidentiality provisions hereof or (y) the limited partners or other investors of such Warrant Investor or its affiliated investment funds so long as they are subject to confidentiality obligations to such Warrant Investor or affiliated investment fund; provided , in each case, that such Warrant Investor or affiliated investment fund enforces such confidentiality obligations, and (ii) an Applicable Employee may, if and for so long as he or she is an employee or consultant of Company and/or its Subsidiaries, use such information solely in such capacity as an employee or consultant on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with the conduct of their businesses.

Section 6.4. GRANT OF IRREVOCABLE PROXY . EACH MANAGEMENT INVESTOR HEREBY GRANTS TO EACH OF THE SILVER LAKE INVESTORS SUCH MANAGEMENT INVESTOR’S PROXY, AND APPOINTS EACH OF THE SILVER LAKE INVESTORS, OR ANY DESIGNEE OR NOMINEE OF THE SILVER LAKE INVESTORS, AS SUCH MANAGEMENT INVESTOR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT (WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION AND RESUBSTITUTION), FOR AND IN HIS, HER OR ITS NAME, PLACE AND STEAD, TO VOTE OR ACT BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY NOW OR HEREAFTER HELD BY SUCH MANAGEMENT INVESTOR (OR ANY PERMITTED TRANSFEREE THEREOF) AND TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER IN HIS, HER OR ITS NAME ANY CONSENT, CERTIFICATE OR OTHER DOCUMENT RELATING TO THE COMPANY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY AND ALL MATTERS, INCLUDING MATTERS SET FORTH HEREIN AS TO WHICH ANY VOTE OR ACTIONS MAY BE REQUESTED OR REQUIRED (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DRAG-ALONG SALE PURSUANT TO SECTION 3.7), WITH EACH SILVER LAKE INVESTOR HAVING THE ABILITY TO ACT IN SUCH CAPACITY WITHOUT THE OTHER SILVER LAKE INVESTOR. THIS PROXY IS COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST AND SHALL BE IRREVOCABLE, AND EACH MANAGEMENT INVESTOR WILL TAKE SUCH FURTHER ACTION OR EXECUTE SUCH OTHER INSTRUMENTS AS MAY BE REASONABLY NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE INTENT OF THIS PROXY AND, EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER PROXY GIVEN BY SUCH MANAGEMENT INVESTOR TO THE COMPANY OR THE SILVER LAKE INVESTORS, HEREBY REVOKES ANY PROXY PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY SUCH MANAGEMENT

 

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INVESTOR WITH RESPECT TO SUCH MANAGEMENT INVESTOR’S SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY. IN THE EVENT THAT ANY OR ALL PROVISION OF THIS SECTION 6.4 ARE DETERMINED TO BE UNENFORCEABLE, EACH MANAGEMENT INVESTOR WILL ENTER INTO A PROXY THAT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, PRESERVES THE INTENT AND PROVIDES THE SILVER LAKE INVESTORS SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME BENEFITS OF THIS SECTION 6.4. THE PROXY GRANTED IN THIS SECTION 6.4 SHALL TERMINATE AND BE OF NO FURTHER FORCE AND EFFECT UPON THE CONSUMMATION OF AN INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING.

Section 6.5. Distributions in Connection with Merger or Initial Public Offering; Cooperation with Initial Public Offering Reorganization and SEC Filings .

(a) In the event of any merger, amalgamation, statutory share exchange or other business combination or reorganization of the Company, on the one hand, with any of its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, the Silver Lake Investors and each of the Management Investors and Warrant Investors shall, to the extent necessary, as determined by the Silver Lake Investors, execute an investors shareholders agreement with terms that are substantially equivalent (to the extent practicable) to, mutatis mutandis , the terms of this Agreement.

(b) In the event that the Company proposes to undertake an Initial Public Offering (in accordance with the Sponsor Shareholders Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement or otherwise), the Company may (or the Silver Lake Investors may cause to the Company to) make changes (i) to the organizational documents of the Company or this Agreement to provide for a conversion of the Company to any other capital structure as the Company or the Silver Lake Investors may determine and/or (ii) to the structure of the Company (including the conversion of the Company into a successor corporation or other entity and/or forming a new entity that will issue shares to the public and acquire, directly or indirectly, Securities in the Company in order to give effect to such Initial Public Offering, and in each case for the express purpose of an offering of the securities of such Registering Entity for sale to the public in a registered public offering pursuant to the Securities Act. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Registering Entity ” means the Company or if the entity registering Shares in connection with the Initial Public Offering is (i) any other Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) the resulting entity from (A) such conversion of the Company to any other capital structure, (B) such conversion of the Company into a successor corporation or other entity and/or (C) the formation of such a new entity that will issue Shares to the public and acquire, directly or indirectly, Securities in the Company in order to give effect to such Initial Public Offering, such other Subsidiary or resulting entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, immediately prior to the consummation of an Initial Public Offering, if (i) the Registering Entity is not the Company and (ii) a transaction contemplated by Section 6.5(a) has not occurred, then the Company shall take such actions as may reasonably be necessary to exchange all Shares for shares of such Registering Entity; provided , that the Registering Entity, the Silver Lake Investors and each of the Management Investors and Warrant Investors shall, to the extent appropriate, as determined by the Silver Lake Investors, execute an investors shareholders agreement with terms that are substantially equivalent (to the extent practicable) to, mutatis mutandis , the terms of this Agreement (except with respect to any terms herein that do not apply after the consummation of an Initial Public Offering). Upon such exchange, the shareholders of the Company shall be entitled to receive shares of the Registering Entity pro rata in accordance with the equity interests in the Company held by each shareholder immediately prior to such exchange.

 

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(c) In connection with any proposed transaction contemplated by Section 6.5(a) or Section 6.5(b), each Management Investor and Warrant Investor shall take such actions as may be reasonably required and otherwise cooperate in good faith with the Company and the Silver Lake Investors, including taking all actions reasonably requested by the Company or the Silver Lake Investors and executing and delivering all agreements, instruments and documents as may be reasonably required in order to consummate any such proposed transaction contemplated by Section 6.5(a) or Section 6.5(b); provided , that no Warrant Investor shall be required to take any action that is adversely affects such Warrant Investor in a manner disproportionate to the Silver Lake Investors.

(d) Each of the Management Investors and Warrant Investors agrees, to the extent practicable and as requested by the Silver Lake Investors, to use reasonable efforts following the consummation of an Initial Public Offering to take or avoid taking (as applicable) actions that would potentially cause liability to the Company, the Silver Lake Investors or any Management Investor or Warrant Investor under Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To the extent that the Company, any Silver Lake Investor or any Management Investor or Warrant Investor determines that it is obligated to make filings under Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, each of the Management Investors and Warrant Investors agrees to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Person that determines that it has such a filing obligation, including by promptly providing information reasonably required by such Person for any such filing.

Section 6.6. Warrant Investor Consent Right . Without the approval of the Warrant Investors, the Company shall not, and shall not permit its Subsidiaries to (whether direct or indirectly, by merger, consolidation, amendment to this Agreement or otherwise), enter into, amend, modify or supplement any Related Party Transaction with the Silver Lake Investors or any of their respective Affiliates. The term “ Related Party Transaction ” means any agreement, contract or transaction between the Company or any of its controlled Affiliates, on the one hand, and any of the Silver Lake Investors or their respective Affiliates, on the other hand; provided , that for purposes of this definition, the following will not be considered a “Related Party Transaction”: (a) any single transaction or series of related transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business of the Company or its Subsidiaries with a portfolio company of any of the Silver Lake Investors or their respective Affiliates on arm’s-length terms, (b) any issuance of securities subject to the participation rights of the Warrant Investors contained in this Agreement, (c) indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or exculpation of liability made pursuant to the governing, constituent or organizational documents or other indemnification agreements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (d) transactions where the interests of the Silver Lake Investors or their Affiliates arise solely from their status as a holder of any class or series of securities of the Company and all other holders of such class or series receive the same benefit on a pro rata basis (such as dividends or distributions), (e) payment of any fees or expenses pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreement and (f) any amendments, modifications or waivers to this Agreement, the Sponsors Shareholders Agreement or the Employee Shareholders Agreement in accordance with their respective terms; provided , that no

 

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such amendment, modification or waiver shall provide for the payment of any monitoring, transaction, management or other fees or payments by the Company (or its Subsidiaries) to any of the Silver Lake Investors (or their Affiliates) (for the avoidance of doubt, it being understood that this proviso will not apply to payments to the Silver Lake Investors or their Affiliates as consideration in respect of their Securities or any reimbursement of expenses of the Silver Lake Investors or their Affiliates).

Section 6.7. Information Rights . The Company shall provide to any Warrant Investor that owns, together with its Affiliates, (x) prior to the satisfaction of the Second Tranche Exercise Condition, more than 2% of the outstanding Transferable Shares and (y) from and after the satisfaction of the Second Tranche Exercise Condition, more than 4% of the outstanding Transferable Shares (each, a “ Information Holder ”), the following information, from and after the time such Information Holder no longer has the right to receive such information pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement, and subject to the continued compliance of such Information Holder with its confidentiality obligations under Section 6.3:

(a) on or before the date on which such financial statements are required or permitted to be filed with the SEC (or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 120 days after the end of each such fiscal year of the Company or Parent Borrower), audited consolidated balance sheet and audited consolidated statements of operations and income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company or Parent Borrower as of the end of and for such year, and related notes thereto; and

(b) on or before the date on which such financial statements are required or permitted to be filed with the SEC with respect to each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company or Parent Borrower (or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 60 days after the end of each such fiscal quarter), unaudited consolidated balance sheet and unaudited consolidated statements of operations and income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year.

ARTICLE VII

ADDITIONAL MANAGEMENT INVESTORS AND WARRANT INVESTORS

Section 7.1. Additional Management Investors . Additional parties may be added as parties to and be bound by and receive the benefits and be subject to the obligations provided by this Agreement as a Management Investor upon the signing and delivery of a Joinder Agreement by such additional party and the acceptance thereof by the Company and, to the extent permitted by Section 8.7, amendments may be effected to this Agreement reflecting such rights and obligations of such Management Investor as the Company and the Silver Lake Investors and such Management Investor may agree.

Section 7.2. Warrant Investors . The Warrant Investors shall not be added as parties to and be bound by and receive the benefits and be subject to the obligations provided by this Agreement as a Warrant Investor unless and until the signing and delivery of a Joinder Agreement by such Warrant Investor in such capacity and the acceptance thereof by the

 

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Company, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Warrants. To the extent permitted by Section 8.7, amendments may be effected to this Agreement reflecting such rights and obligations of such Warrant Investors as the Company and the Silver Lake Investors and such Warrant Investor may agree.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1. Entire Agreement . This Agreement (together with the Exhibits hereto, the Employee Investors Shareholders Agreement, the Sponsor Shareholders Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Equity Contribution and Subscription Agreements, the Rollover Letters, the Warrants and any severance and change of control agreement or employment agreement between SMART and the Applicable Employee for any Management Investor) constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the parties and supersedes and replaces any prior understanding, agreement or statement of intent, in each case, written or oral, of any and every nature with respect thereto. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any document executed or delivered to effect the purposes of this Agreement, including the bylaws (or equivalent organizational and governing documents) of any company, this Agreement shall govern as among the parties hereto.

Section 8.2. Specific Performance . The parties hereto agree that the obligations imposed on them in this Agreement are special, unique and of an extraordinary character, and that, in the event of breach by any party, damages would not be an adequate remedy and each of the other parties shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled, at law or in equity. The parties hereto further agree to waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with the obtaining of any such injunctive or other equitable relief.

Section 8.3. Governing Law . This Agreement and all claims or causes of action (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws, except that Cayman Islands law shall apply in respect of any fiduciary duty or any mandatory provision of Cayman Islands corporate law.

Section 8.4. Submissions to Jurisdictions; WAIVERS OF JURY TRIALS .

(a) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably acknowledges and consents that any legal action or proceeding brought with respect to (i) this Agreement or any of the obligations arising under or relating to this Agreement may only be brought in the courts of the State of Delaware or in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (collectively, the “ Delaware Courts ”), and (ii) any claim of breach by any director of the Company of any fiduciary duty may only be brought in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands (the “ Cayman Court ”, and together with the Delaware Courts, as applicable, the “ Chosen Courts ”), and each of

 

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the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits to and accepts with regard to any such action or proceeding, for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts, as applicable. Each party hereby further irrevocably waives any claim that any Chosen Court lacks jurisdiction over such party, and agrees not to plead or claim, in any legal action or proceeding (i) with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby brought in the Delaware Courts or (ii) with respect to any claim of breach by any director of the Company of any fiduciary duty brought in the Cayman Court, that any such court lacks jurisdiction over such party.

(b) Each party irrevocably consents to the service of process in any legal action or proceeding brought with respect to this Agreement or any of the obligations arising under or relating to this Agreement by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to such party, at its address for notices as provided in Section 8.12 of this Agreement, such service to become effective ten (10) days after such mailing. Each party hereby irrevocably waives any objection to such service of process and further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any action or proceeding commenced hereunder or under any other documents contemplated hereby, that service of process was in any way invalid or ineffective. Subject to Section 8.4(c), the foregoing shall not limit the rights of any party to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law. The foregoing consents to jurisdiction shall not constitute general consents to service of process in the State of Delaware or the Cayman Islands for any purpose except as provided above and shall not be deemed to confer rights on any Person other than the respective parties to this Agreement.

(c) Each of the parties hereto hereby waives any right it may have under the laws of any jurisdiction to commence by publication any legal action or proceeding with respect to (i) this Agreement or any of the obligations under or relating to this Agreement or (ii) any claim of breach by any director of the Company of any fiduciary duty. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives the objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any suit, action or proceeding with respect to (i) this Agreement or any of the obligations arising under or relating to this Agreement in any of the Delaware Courts and (ii) arising under or relating to any claim of breach by any director of the Company of any fiduciary duty in the Cayman Court, and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim that any such Chosen Court is not a convenient forum for any such suit, action or proceeding, as applicable.

(d) The parties hereto agree that any judgment obtained by any party hereto or its successors or assigns in any action, suit or proceeding referred to above may, in the discretion of such party (or its successors or assigns), be enforced in any jurisdiction, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

(e) EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO (I) ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR (II) WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OF BREACH BY ANY DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY OF ANY FIDUCIARY DUTY. EACH OF THE PARTIES (I) CERTIFIES THAT NO

 

41


REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (II) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 8.4(e).

Section 8.5. Obligations . All obligations hereunder shall be satisfied in full without set-off, defense or counterclaim.

Section 8.6. Consents, Approvals and Actions .

(a) Subject to the terms of the Sponsor Shareholders Agreement, if any consent, approval or action of the Silver Lake Investors is required at any time pursuant to this Agreement, such consent, approval or action shall be deemed given if any of the Silver Lake Investors at such time provide such consent, approval or action in writing at such time.

(b) If any consent, approval or action of the Management Investors is required at any time pursuant to this Agreement (including with respect to any amendments pursuant to Section 8.7), such consent, approval or action shall be deemed given if the holders of a majority of the outstanding Transferable Shares held by the Management Investors, taken together, at such time provide such consent, approval or action in writing at such time.

(c) If any consent, approval or action of the Warrant Investors is required at any time pursuant to this Agreement (including with respect to any amendments pursuant to Section 8.7), such consent, approval or action shall be deemed given if the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding Transferable Shares held by the Warrant Investors, taken together, at such time provide such consent, approval or action in writing at such time.

Section 8.7. Amendment and Waiver .

(a) Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall require the written consent of (i) the Company, (ii) the Silver Lake Investors and (iii) if the amendment, by its terms, would be materially and disproportionally adverse to the Management Investors or the Warrant Investors as compared to the Silver Lake Investors, the Management Investors or the Warrant Investors, respectively. The immediately foregoing clause (iii) shall not apply with respect to (1) amendments in connection with the addition of other Management Investors or Warrant Investors as parties to this Agreement (provided that such amendment does not expressly negate any specific right of the Management Investors or of the Warrant Investors or a particular Management Investor or Warrant Investor set forth in this Agreement), (2) amendments to reflect the addition of a new third-party holding Transferable Shares (other than an additional Management Investor or Warrant Investor as a party hereto), (3) amendments to Exhibit C attached hereto pursuant to Section 3.4(a)(iii), (4) subject to compliance with Section 3.7, amendments in connection with any Drag-Along Sale, (5) amendments that do not apply to Management Investors or Warrant Investors or (6) amendments contemplated by Section 6.5. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment to Section 3.1, Section 3.2, Section 3.3, Section

 

42


3.4, Section 3.5 or Article V (and any definitions used therein) that is adverse to the Management Investors shall require the written consent of the Management Investors and any amendment to Section 3.1, Section 3.2, Section 3.3 or Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 3.7, Article IV, Section 6.6, Section 6.7 (and any definitions used therein) and this Section 8.7 that is adverse to the Warrant Investors shall require the written consent of the Warrant Investors.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any addition of a transferee of Transferable Shares or a recipient of any newly issued Transferable Shares, in each case, as a party hereto pursuant to Article VII shall not constitute an amendment hereto and the applicable Joinder Agreement need be signed only by the Company and such transferee or recipient.

(c) Any failure by any party at any time to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed a waiver of such provision or any other provisions hereof.

Section 8.8. Assignment . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Silver Lake Investors shall have the right to assign any or all of their rights under this Agreement to any Person or Persons to whom a Silver Lake Investor, as applicable, transfers Securities. No Management Investor or Warrant Investor may, directly or indirectly, assign or transfer (whether in connection with the transfer of Securities or otherwise) all or any part of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Silver Lake Investors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, a Management Investor or Warrant Investor may assign its rights and corresponding obligations to any Person or Persons to whom such Management Investor or Warrant Investor has transferred Securities in compliance with Article III; provided , however , that no transferee of transferred Securities pursuant to a transfer made pursuant to Rule 144 or in a registered public offering shall be subject to, or have any rights under, this Agreement. Any purported assignment of rights or obligations under this Agreement in derogation of this Section 8.8 shall be null and void.

Section 8.9. Binding Effect . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties’ successors and permitted assigns.

Section 8.10. Third Party Beneficiaries . Except for Section 6.2 and Section 8.13 (which will be for the benefit of the Persons set forth therein, and any such Person will have the rights provided for therein), this Agreement does not create any rights, claims or benefits inuring to any Person that is not a party hereto, and it does not create or establish any third party beneficiary hereto.

Section 8.11. Termination . This Agreement shall terminate only (i) by written consent of the Silver Lake Investors or (ii) upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company.

Section 8.12. Notices . Any and all notices, designations, offers, acceptances or other communications provided for herein shall be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person or sent by facsimile, e-mail, nationally-recognized overnight courier or first class registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, which shall be addressed, (a) in the case of the Company, to its principal office, (b) in the case of any Management Investor, to such party’s address, e-mail address or telecopy number

 

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of such Management Investor set forth in the Company’s books and records or, if applicable, the Joinder Agreement of such Management Investor, (c) in the case of any Warrant Investor, to such party’s address, e-mail address or telecopy number of such Warrant Investor set forth in the applicable Joinder Agreement of such Warrant Investor, or (d) in the case of any Silver Lake Investor, to the following addresses, e-mail addresses or telecopy numbers:

c/o Silver Lake Partners

c/o Silver Lake Sumeru

2775 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Fax No.: (650) 233-8125

Attention: Karen King

Email: karen.king@silverlake.com

and

c/o Silver Lake Partners

c/o Silver Lake Sumeru

9 West 57th Street, 32nd Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Andrew Schader

Fax: (212) 981 3535

Email: andy.schader@silverlake.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

2475 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, CA 94304

Fax No.: (650) 251-5002

Attention: Chad Skinner

Email: cskinner@stblaw.com

Any and all notices, designations, offers, acceptances or other communications shall be conclusively deemed to have been given, delivered or received (i) in the case of personal delivery, on the day of actual delivery thereof, (ii) in the case of facsimile, on the day of transmittal thereof if given during the normal business hours of the recipient, and on the Business Day during which such normal business hours next occur if not given during such hours on any day, (iii) in the case of dispatch by nationally-recognized overnight courier, on the next Business Day following the disposition with such nationally-recognized overnight courier and (iv) in the case of mailing, on the third (3 rd ) Business Day after the posting thereof. By notice complying with the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.12, each party shall have the right to change its mailing address or telecopy number for the notices and communications to such party.

Section 8.13. No Third Party Liability . This Agreement may only be enforced against the named parties hereto. All claims or causes of action (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or

 

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performance of this Agreement (including any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement), may be made only against the entities that are expressly identified as parties hereto; and no past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, stockholder, Affiliate, portfolio company in which any such party or any of its investment fund Affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa), agent, attorney or representative of any party hereto (including any Person negotiating or executing this Agreement on behalf of a party hereto), unless party to this Agreement, shall have any liability or obligation with respect to this Agreement or with respect any claim or cause of action (whether in contract or tort) that may arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including a representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement).

Section 8.14. No Partnership . Nothing in this Agreement and no actions taken by the parties under this Agreement shall constitute a partnership, association or other co-operative entity between any of the parties or constitute any party the agent of any other party for any purpose.

Section 8.15. Aggregation . All Transferable Shares held or acquired by any Silver Lake Investor and its Affiliates, any Management Investor and its Affiliates or any Warrant Investor and its Affiliates shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights under and application of any limitations under this Agreement, and such shareholder and its Affiliates may apportion such rights as among themselves in any manner they deem appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all Transferable Shares held or acquired by the Shah Investors (as defined in the Sponsor Shareholders Agreement) and any of each such Shah Investor’s respective Affiliates, designated transferees or successors that hold Securities shall be aggregated together with the Transferable Shares held by and deemed to be owned by the SLS Investor, the SLS Co-Investor and any of their respective Affiliates, designated transferees or successors that hold Securities.

Section 8.16. Severability . If any portion of this Agreement shall be declared void or unenforceable by any court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed severable from the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue in all respects valid and enforceable.

Section 8.17. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (which delivery may be by electronic transmission), each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute a single instrument.

[ The remainder of this page intentionally left blank .]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement or caused this Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement to be signed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as a deed as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY :     
SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.      In the presence of:
By:  

/s/ Iain MacKenzie

    

/s/ Bruce Goldberg

  Name: Iain MacKenzie      Signature of Witness
  Title: President & CEO      Name of Witness: Bruce Goldberg

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


SLP INVESTOR :      
SILVER LAKE PARTNERS III CAYMAN      
(AIV III), L.P.      
By:    Silver Lake Technology Associates III      
   Cayman, L.P., its General Partner      
By:    Silver Lake (Offshore) AIV GP III, Ltd.,      
   its General Partner      
         In the presence of:
By:   

/s/ James A. Davidson

     

/s/ Janet Roselli Bejinez

   Name: James A. Davidson       Signature of Witness
   Title: Director       Name of Witness: Janet Roselli Bejinez
SLP CO-INVESTOR :      
SILVER LAKE TECHNOLOGY INVESTORS      
III CAYMAN, L.P.      
By:    Silver Lake Technology Associates III      
   Cayman, L.P., its General Partner      
By:    Silver Lake (Offshore) AIV GP III, Ltd.,      
   its General Partner      
         In the presence of:
By:   

/s/ James A. Davidson

     

/s/ Janet Roselli Bejinez

   Name: James A. Davidson       Signature of Witness
   Title: Director       Name of Witness: Janet Roselli Bejinez

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


SLS INVESTOR :      
SILVER LAKE SUMERU FUND CAYMAN, L.P.      
By:    Silver Lake Technology Associates Sumeru      
   Cayman, L.P., its General Partner      
By:    SLTA Sumeru (GP) Cayman, L.P., its      
   General Partner      
By:    Silver Lake Sumeru (Offshore) AIV GP,      
   Ltd., its General Partner      
         In the presence of:
By:   

/s/ Paul Mecadante

     

/s/ Cynthia Reyes-Orosco

Name: Paul Mercadante       Signature of Witness
Title: Director       Name of Witness: /s/ Cynthia Reyes-Orosco
SLS CO-INVESTOR :      
SILVER LAKE TECHNOLOGY INVESTORS      
SUMERU CAYMAN, L.P.      
By:    Silver Lake Technology Associates Sumeru      
   Cayman, L.P., its General Partner      
By:    SLTA Sumeru (GP) Cayman, L.P., its      
   General Partner      
By:    Silver Lake Sumeru (Offshore) AIV GP,      
   Ltd., its General Partner      
         In the presence of:
By:   

/s/ Paul Mecadante

     

/s/ Cynthia Reyes-Orosco

   Name: Paul Mercadante       Signature of Witness
   Title: Director       Name of Witness: Cynthia Reyes-Orosco

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR ( J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.’s affiliate and designee):

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC     
In the presence of:     
By:  

/s/ Christopher Cestaro

    

/s/ Eric Ramnauth

  Name: Christopher Cestaro      Signature of Witness
  Title: Authorized Signatory      Name of Witness: Eric Ramnauth

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :     
Napier Park Select Master Fund L.P.     
In the presence of:     
By:  

/s/ Ram Putcha

    

/s/ Rebecca Song

  Name: Ram Putcha      Signature of Witness
  Title: Managing Director      Name of Witness: Rebecca Song

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :      
AB Bond Fund, Inc. - AB High Yield Portfolio      
In the presence of:      
By:   

/s/ Jacqueline August

     

/s/ Tyena Iglesias

   Name: Jacqueline August       Signature of Witness
   Title: Assistant Vice President       Name of Witness: Tyena Iglesias

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :     
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund, Inc.     
In the presence of:     
By:  

/s/ Jacqueline August

    

/s/ Tyena Iglesias

  Name: Jacqueline August      Signature of Witness
  Title: Assistant Vice President      Name of Witness: Tyena Iglesias

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :     
AB High Income Fund, Inc.     
In the presence of:     
By:  

/s/ Jacqueline August

    

/s/ Tyena Iglesias

  Name: Jacqueline August      Signature of Witness
  Title: Assistant Vice President      Name of Witness: Tyena Iglesias

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :

Banco do Brasil, S.A., acting through its New York Branch

By:  

/s/ Joao Fruet

Name: Joao Fruet
Title: General Manager
By:  

/s/ Reinaldo Lima

Name: Reinaldo Lima
Title: General Manager
In the presence of:
By:  

/s/ Jakov Grbic

Signature of Witness
Name of Witness: Jakov Grbic

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :     
AB Collective Investment Trust Series - AB US High Yield Collective Trust
In the presence of:     
By:  

/s/ Jacqueline August

    

/s/ Tyena Iglesias

  Name: Jacqueline August      Signature of Witness
  Title: Assistant Vice President      Name of Witness: Tyena Iglesias

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :     
Barclays Bank PLC     
In the presence of:     
By:  

/s/ Alexander Stromberg

    

/s/ Jason T. Short

  Name: Alexander Stromberg      Signature of Witness
  Title: Managing Director      Name of Witness: Jason T. Short

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :     
BlueMountain CLO 2011-1 Ltd     
BY: BLUEMOUNTAIN CAPITAL     
MANAGEMENT, LLC,     
Its Collateral Manager     
In the presence of:     
By:  

/s/ Meghan Fornshell

    

 

  Name: Meghan Fornshell      Signature of Witness
  Title: Operations Analyst      Name of Witness:
By:       
  Name:     
  Title:     

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :     
BlueMountain CLO II, LTD     
BY: BLUEMOUNTAIN CAPITAL     
MANAGEMENT, LLC,     
Its Collateral Manager     
In the presence of:     
By:  

/s/ Meghan Fornshell

    

 

  Name: Meghan Fornshell      Signature of Witness
  Title: Operations Analyst      Name of Witness:
By:       
  Name:     
  Title:     

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :     
BlueMountain CLO III, LTD     
BY: BLUEMOUNTAIN CAPITAL     
MANAGEMENT, LLC,     
Its Collateral Manager
In the presence of:     
By:  

/s/ Meghan Fornshell

    

 

  Name: Meghan Fornshell      Signature of Witness
  Title: Operations Analyst      Name of Witness:
By:       
  Name:     
  Title:     

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :    
CPPIB Credit Investments III Inc.    
In the presence of:    
By:  

/s/ John Graham

   

/s/ Vincent Hui

  Name: John Graham     Signature of Witness
  Title: Authorized Signatory     Name of Witness: Vincent Hui

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :
HOLDER :
Oaktree Value Opportunities Fund Holdings, L.P.
By:   Oaktree Value Opportunities Fund GP, L.P.
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Value Opportunities Fund GP Ltd.
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Its:   Director
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name:   Robert O’Leary
Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Brook Hinchman

Name: Brook Hinchman
Title:   Senior Vice President
Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIII Delaware, L.P.
By:   Oaktree Fund GP, LLC
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Fund GP I, L.P.
Its:   Managing Member
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name:   Robert O’Leary
Title:   Authorized Signatory
By:  

/s/ Brook Hinchman

Name: Brook Hinchman
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund, L.P.
By:   Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund GP, L.P.
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund GP Ltd.
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Its:   Director
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name:   Robert O’Leary
Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Brook Hinchman

Name: Brook Hinchman
Title:   Senior Vice President
Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIII (Parallel 2), L.P.
By:   Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIII GP, L.P.
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIII GP Ltd.
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Its:   Director
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name:   Robert O’Leary
Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Brook Hinchman

Name: Brook Hinchman
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIIIb Delaware, L.P.
By:   Oaktree Fund GP, LLC
Its:   General partner
By:   Oaktree Fund GP I, L.P.
Its:   Managing Member
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name: Robert O’Leary
Title:   Authorized Signatory
By:  

/s/ Brook Hinchman

Name: Brook Hinchman
Title:   Authorized Signatory
With respect to each of the signatures of the above entities, in the presence of:

/s/ Tom Reed

Signature of Witness
Name of Witness: Tom Reed

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :

   

D-Star LTD.

   

In the presence of:

   
By:  

/s/ Ram Putcha

   

/s/ Rebecca Song

 

Name: Ram Putcha

   

Signature of Witness

 

Title: Managing Director

   

Name of Witness: Rebecca Song

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :    

SSF Trust,

By: Symphony Asset Management LLC

   
In the presence of:    
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

   

/s/ Aaron Deering

  Name: Gunther Stein     Signature of Witness
  Title: CIO     Name of Witness: Aaron Deering

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :    

Nuveen Senior Income Fund,

By: Symphony Asset Management LLC

   
In the presence of:    
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

   

/s/ Aaron Deering

  Name: Gunther Stein     Signature of Witness
  Title: CIO     Name of Witness: Aaron Deering

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :    

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund,

By: Symphony Asset Management LLC

   
In the presence of:    
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

   

/s/ Aaron Deering

  Name: Gunther Stein     Signature of Witness
  Title: CIO     Name of Witness: Aaron Deering

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :    

Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunities Fund,

By: Symphony Asset Management LLC

   
In the presence of:    
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

   

/s/ Aaron Deering

  Name: Gunther Stein     Signature of Witness
  Title: CIO     Name of Witness: Aaron Deering

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :    

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund,

By: Symphony Asset Management LLC

   
In the presence of:    
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

   

/s/ Aaron Deering

  Name: Gunther Stein     Signature of Witness
  Title: CIO     Name of Witness: Aaron Deering

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :    

Symphony CLO VII, Ltd.,

By: Symphony Asset Management LLC

   
In the presence of:    
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

   

/s/ Aaron Deering

  Name: Gunther Stein     Signature of Witness
  Title: CIO     Name of Witness: Aaron Deering

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :    

California Street CLO V, Ltd.,

By: Symphony Asset Management LLC

   
In the presence of:    
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

   

/s/ Aaron Deering

  Name: Gunther Stein     Signature of Witness
  Title: CIO     Name of Witness: Aaron Deering

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :    

California Street CLO IV, Ltd.,

By: Symphony Asset Management LLC

   
In the presence of:    
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

   

/s/ Aaron Deering

  Name: Gunther Stein     Signature of Witness
  Title: CIO     Name of Witness: Aaron Deering

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :    

California Street CLO III, Ltd.,

By: Symphony Asset Management LLC

   
In the presence of:    
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

   

/s/ Aaron Deering

  Name: Gunther Stein     Signature of Witness
  Title: CIO     Name of Witness: Aaron Deering

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


WARRANT INVESTOR :    

California Street CLO II, Ltd.,

By: Symphony Asset Management LLC

   
In the presence of:    
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

   

/s/ Aaron Deering

  Name: Gunther Stein     Signature of Witness
  Title: CIO     Name of Witness: Aaron Deering

 

 

[Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

The undersigned is executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement of SMART Global Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Saleen Holdings, Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company, dated as of November 5, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Investors Shareholders Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Investors Shareholders Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement to the Investors Shareholders Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees to become a party to, to be bound by, and to comply with the provisions of the Investors Shareholders Agreement as a [Management][Warrant] Investor. In connection therewith, effective as of the date hereof, the undersigned hereby makes the representations and warranties contained in Section [2.1][2.2] of the Investors Shareholders Agreement.

Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder Agreement as of the      day of                     ,             .

 

 

Signature of [Management / Warrant] Investor

 

Print Name of [Management / Warrant] Investor

Address of [Management / Warrant] Investor:          

 

 

Telephone:                                                                   

Facsimile:                                                                     
Email:                                                                           

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED as of the          day of                     ,             .
SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


EXHIBIT B

MANAGEMENT INVESTORS

(as of November 5, 2016)

Iain MacKenzie

Alan Marten

Bruce Goldberg

John Scaramuzzo

Jack Pacheco

Michael Rubino

Rogerio Nunes

Kiwan Kim

Anjali Reddy

Frank Perezalanzo

Jefferey Milano

Gary Mossotti

Li Lin Foo

Vejaya K. Narayanan

Randy Cohen

Daniel Hassett

Grady Lambert

Bernie Rub

Michael Robinson


EXHIBIT C

KEY MANAGEMENT INVESTORS

Iain MacKenzie

Alan Marten

Bruce Goldberg


 

 

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO

INVESTORS SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

Dated as of [•], 2017

 

 

 

 

1


SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO INVESTORS SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

This AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO INVESTORS SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”), dated as of [•], 2017, amends the Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016 (“the “ A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement ” and, together with this Amendment, this “ Agreement ”), by and among SMART Global Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Saleen Holdings, Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company (together with its successors and assigns, the “ Company ”), Silver Lake Partners III Cayman (AIV III), L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “ SLP Investor ”), Silver Lake Technology Investors III Cayman, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “ SLP Co-Investor ”), Silver Lake Sumeru Fund Cayman, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “ SLS Investor ”), Silver Lake Technology Investors Sumeru Cayman, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “ SLS Co-Investor ”), the Management Investors (as defined in the A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement) and the Warrant Investors (as defined in the A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement).

WHEREAS, the Company, the SLP Investor, the SLP Co-Investor, the SLS Investor, the SLS Co-Investor and the initial Management Investors named therein entered into that certain Management Investors Shareholders Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011 (the “ Initial Agreement ”), in order to set forth certain rights and other terms in connection with ownership of ordinary shares of the Company;

WHEREAS, the Company, the SLP Investor, the SLP Co-Investor, the SLS Investor and the SLS Co-Investor entered into the A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement to amend and restate the Initial Agreement in connection with the Amended Credit Agreement (as defined in the A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement) in order to set forth certain rights and obligations of the Warrant Investors with respect to the ownership of equity securities of the Company by the Warrant Investors, and the Management Investors and the Warrant Investors became parties thereto; and

WHEREAS, the Company, the SLP Investor, the SLP Co-Investor, the SLS Investor and the SLS Co-Investor desire to amend certain sections A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement in connection with the initial public offering of the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1. Definitions . Capitalized terms that are defined in the preamble or the recitals hereto shall have such meanings throughout this Amendment. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement. The meanings assigned to all defined terms used in this Amendment shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such defined terms.

 

2


ARTICLE II

AMENDMENTS

Section 2.1. Amendments to Section 3.3 of the A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement . Section 3.3 of the A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Section 3.3 Pre-Initial Public Offering Transfers . Without limiting Section 3.1 or Section 3.5, during the period beginning on the date hereof and ending concurrently with the earlier of (i) one hundred eighty (180) days following an Initial Public Offering and (ii) the expiration of such period, if any, following an Initial Public Offering during which the Silver Lake Investors shall have agreed with the underwriters of such Initial Public Offering to be subject to lock up restrictions in respect of the Transferable Shares held by the Silver Lake Investors (it being understood that if the Silver Lake Investors do not agree to become subject to any such lock up restrictions, the end of the Pre-IPO Transfer Restriction Period shall occur upon the completion of such Initial Public Offering) (such period, the “ Pre-IPO Transfer Restriction Period ”), none of the Management Investors or Warrant Investors shall transfer any Securities to any Person, except transfers of Transferable Shares (x) pursuant to and in compliance with Section 3.6, Section 3.7 or Article V, as applicable (y) to Permitted Transferees pursuant to Section 3.2or (z) upon receipt of the prior written consent of the Company.

Section 2.2. Amendments to Section 3.4(c) of the A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement . Section 3.4(c) of the A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

(c) Transfers During the Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Periods . Without limiting Section 3.1 or Section 3.5 and subject in all cases to Section 3.4(b), during the Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Periods, each of the Key Management Investors and their Permitted Transferees shall not transfer any Securities to any Person, except transfers of Transferable Shares (A) to Permitted Transferees pursuant to Section 3.2, (B) upon receipt of the prior written consent of the Silver Lake Investors and (C) as of the date of any proposed transfer, in accordance with such Key Management Investor’s Applicable Transfer Cap as of such transfer, as calculated by the Company in accordance with Section 3.4(c)(i)Section 2.2(c)(i) below. For the avoidance of doubt, the transfer restrictions set forth in this Section 3.4(c) shall apply to the exercise of such Key Management Investor’s rights in any registered offerings during the Post-IPO Transfer Restriction Periods under the Registration Rights Agreement.

(i) To the extent any Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee desires to transfer any Transferable Shares to any Person (other than (x) a Permitted Transferee pursuant to Section 3.2 or (y) transfers upon receipt of the prior written consent of the Silver Lake Investors) or

 

3


implement a Non-Discretionary Sale Program (or increase the number of Transferrable Shares permitted to be sold thereunder), such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee, as applicable, shall provide written notice (a “ Post-IPO Transfer Notice ”) of such action to the Company and the Silver Lake Investors at least three (3) Business Days prior thereto, setting forth, as applicable, (i) the number of Transferable Shares proposed to be transferred or covered by such Non-Discretionary Sale Program and (ii) the identity of the proposed transferee, if known, and the manner of disposition contemplated for such proposed transfer or the identity of the broker-dealer that will be establishing such Non-Discretionary Sale Program. Within three (3) Business Days following receipt of such Post-IPO Transfer Notice, the Company shall provide written notice to such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee, as applicable, and the Silver Lake Investors setting forth the Applicable Transfer Cap for such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee as of the date of delivery of such Post-IPO Transfer Notice, provided that such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee, as applicable, shall provide the Company with all information reasonably requested by the Company in order to calculate such Applicable Transfer Cap.

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee wishes to transfer a number of Transferrable Shares during the Second Period or Third Period and the Applicable Transfer Cap for such Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee is in excess of such Key Management Investor’s or his Permitted Transferee’s Applicable Transfer Cap if the provisos in the definition of each of Second Period Cap and Third Period Cap (as applicable) were disregarded, then any such excess Transferrable Shares must be transferred pursuant to a Non-Discretionary Sale Program established in accordance with Section 3.4(c)(iii).

(iii) Each Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee may establish a Non-Discretionary Sale Program for the sale of Transferable Shares owned by such Key Management Investor and his Permitted Transferees (A) within thirty (30) days after the beginning of the Second Period to cover sales during the Second Period (any such instituted program, a “ Second Period Non-Discretionary Sale Program ”), and (B) within thirty (30) days after the beginning of the Third Period to cover sales of Transferable Shares within the Third Period (any such instituted program, a “ Third Period Non-Discretionary Sale Program ”); provided , that if the trading window is closed during either such thirty (30) day period, following the opening of the trading window, the applicable thirty (30) day period shall be extended by the number of days the trading window was closed during such period; and provided , further , that any such Second Period Non-Discretionary Sale Program or Third Period Non-Discretionary Sale Program must provide that the minimum price for sales of Transferable Shares pursuant to such program must exceed one-hundred and five percent (105%) of the closing price per Share on the Trading Day immediately prior to the effective date of institution of any such Second Period Non-Discretionary Sale Program or Third Period Non-Discretionary Sale Program, as

 

4


applicable; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, a Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferees may establish a Non-Discretionary Sale Program for the sale of Transferrable Shares at any time during an open trading window (which, for this purpose, shall include the period prior to the Initial Public Offering) for any or all of his Transferrable Shares as long as such Non-Discretionary Sale Program does not permit the sale of any such shares other than as permitted by this Agreement; and in such case the minimum price for sales of Transferrable Shares pursuant to such program must exceed one-hundred and five percent (105%) of the closing price per Share on the Trading Day immediately prior to the effective date of such plan. Each Non-Discretionary Sale Program shall not permit the transfer of a number of Transferrable Shares in excess of the Applicable Transfer Cap for such Key Management Investor and his Permitted Transferees from time to time, but such cap shall never be less than the number of Transferable Shares permitted under the Applicable Transfer Cap at the time of creation of the Non-Discretionary Sales Program. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee may amend any Non-Discretionary Sales Program to provide for sales of excess Transferable Shares as required by Section 3.4(c)(ii), but in all cases subject to the Applicable Transfer Cap for such Key Management Investor and his Permitted Transferee. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall a Key Management Investor or his Permitted Transferee be permitted to sell (whether or not pursuant to a Non-Discretionary Sales Program and whether or not in one or more transactions) an amount in excess of the Applicable Transfer Cap of such Key Management Investor.

Section 2.3. Amendments to Section 3.5 of the A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement . Section 3.5 of the A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Section 3.5 Black-Out Periods . Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Registration Rights Agreement to the contrary and without regard to whether the restrictions set forth in Section 3.4 apply, each (a) Management Investor, (b) Warrant Investor, in the case of an Initial Public Offering and (c) Warrant Investor that owns, together with its Affiliates, more than 5% of the outstanding Transferable Shares (a “ 5% Warrant Investor ”), in the case of any underwritten offering other than an Initial Public Offering, hereby agrees that during the period beginning seven (7) days before and ending (i) one hundred eighty (180) days in the event of an Initial Public Offering or (ii) ninety (90) days in the event of any other underwritten offering, as applicable, after the date of the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with such underwritten offering, such Management Investor, Warrant Investor or 5% Warrant Investor or its respective Permitted Transferees, as applicable, shall not, to the extent requested by the Company and/or any underwriter, (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any Securities (including Securities that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and Securities that may be issued upon exercise of any Options or warrants) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable

 

5


for Securities, (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of Securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) make any demand for or exercise any right or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any Securities or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Securities or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing; provided that if any Silver Lake Investor agrees to such restrictions for any shorter period than prescribed above, then each Management Investor, Warrant Investor, Warrant Investor and 5% Warrant Investor, as applicable, shall only be obligated as provided in this Section 3.50 for such shorter period. If requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters of any such underwritten offering, each Management Investor, Warrant Investor, Warrant Investor and 5% Warrant Investor, as applicable, shall execute a customary agreement on the same terms and conditions as the Silver Lake Investor reflecting its agreement set forth in this Section 3.5.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 3.1. The A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement . Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the A&R Investors Shareholders Agreement remain in full force and effect.

Section 3.2. Governing Law . This Agreement and all claims or causes of action (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws, except that Cayman Islands law shall apply in respect of any fiduciary duty or any mandatory provision of Cayman Islands corporate law.

Section 3.3. Severability . If any portion of this Agreement shall be declared void or unenforceable by any court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed severable from the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue in all respects valid and enforceable.

Section 3.4. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (which delivery may be by electronic transmission), each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute a single instrument.

[ The remainder of this page intentionally left blank .]

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Amendment No. 2 to Investors Shareholders Agreement or caused this Amendment No. 2 to Investors Shareholders Agreement to be signed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as a deed as of the date first written above.

COMPANY:

 

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.     In the presence of:
By:            
  Name: Iain MacKenzie       Signature of Witness
  Title: President & CEO       Name of Witness:

[ Signature Pages Follow ]


SLP INVESTOR :

 

SILVER LAKE PARTNERS III CAYMAN

(AIV III), L.P.

   
By:  

Silver Lake Technology Associates III

Cayman, L.P., its General Partner

     
By:  

Silver Lake (Offshore) AIV GP III, Ltd.,

its General Partner

     

 

    In the presence of:
By:            
  Name: James A. Davidson       Signature of Witness
  Title: Director       Name of Witness:

SLP CO-INVESTOR :

 

SILVER LAKE TECHNOLOGY INVESTORS

III CAYMAN, L.P.

   
By:  

Silver Lake Technology Associates III

Cayman, L.P., its General Partner

     
By:  

Silver Lake (Offshore) AIV GP III, Ltd.,

its General Partner

     

 

    In the presence of:
By:            
  Name: James A. Davidson       Signature of Witness
  Title: Director       Name of Witness:

[ Signature Pages Follow ]


SLS INVESTOR :

 

SILVER LAKE SUMERU FUND CAYMAN, L.P.    
By:  

Silver Lake Technology Associates Sumeru

Cayman, L.P., its General Partner

     
By:  

SLTA Sumeru (GP) Cayman, L.P.,

its General Partner

     
By:  

Silver Lake Sumeru (Offshore) AIV GP,

Ltd., its General Partner

     

 

    In the presence of:
By:            
Name: Paul Mercadante     Signature of Witness
Title: Director     Name of Witness:
SLS CO-INVESTOR :    

SILVER LAKE TECHNOLOGY INVESTORS

SUMERU CAYMAN, L.P.

   
By:  

Silver Lake Technology Associates Sumeru

Cayman, L.P., its General Partner

     
By:  

SLTA Sumeru (GP) Cayman, L.P., its

General Partner

     
By:  

Silver Lake Sumeru (Offshore) AIV GP,

Ltd., its General Partner

     
    In the presence of:
By:            
  Name: Paul Mercadante     Signature of Witness
  Title: Director     Name of Witness

[Amendment No. 2 to Investors Shareholders Agreement]

Exhibit 5.1

 

 

LOGO

 

Our ref           SUS/693334-000001/51133035v5

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

PO Box 309, Ugland House

Grand Cayman, KY1-1104

Cayman Islands

22 May 2017

Dear Sirs

SMART Global Holdings, Inc. (the “ Company ”)

We have acted as Cayman Islands counsel to the Company to provide this legal opinion in connection with the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, including all amendments or supplements thereto, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Act ”), as amended, (File No. 333-217539) (the “ Registration Statement ”) in respect of the proposed initial offering (the “ IPO ”) of the Company’s 6,095,000 ordinary shares, par value US$0.03 per ordinary share, in the capital of the Company (the “ Ordinary Shares ”), including up to 795,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of an over-allotment option granted to the underwriters (the “ Over Allotment Shares ” and together with the Ordinary Shares, the “ Shares ”). Such public offering is being underwritten pursuant to an underwriting agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) among the Company and the underwriters named therein. This opinion is given in accordance with the terms of the Legal Matters section of the Registration Statement.

 

1 Documents Reviewed

We have reviewed originals, copies, drafts or conformed copies of the following documents and such other documents or instruments as we deem necessary:

 

1.1 The Certificate of Incorporation dated 21 April 2011, the Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name dated 29 August 2014, the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company as adopted on 25 August 2011 (the “ Current Memorandum and Articles ”), as amended by Special Resolution passed on 5 May 2017 (the “ Special Resolution ”) and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company adopted by Special Resolution passed on 18 May 2017 and effective immediately prior to the closing of the IPO (the “ Post-IPO Memorandum and Articles ”).

 

Maples and Calder

PO Box 309    Ugland House    Grand Cayman KY-1104    Cayman Islands

Tel +1 345 949 8066    Fax +1 345 949 8080    maplesandcalder.com


1.2 The minutes (the “ Minutes ”) of the meeting of the board of directors of the Company held on 26 April 2017 (the “ Meeting ”) and the corporate records of the Company maintained at its registered office in the Cayman Islands.

 

1.3 The minutes of the extraordinary general meeting of the Company held on 18 May 2017 (the “ Shareholder Minutes ”), including a resolution to re-designate the authorised (and issued) share capital of the Company in the manner therein described (the “ Re-Designation Resolution ”).

 

1.4 A Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands (the “ Certificate of Good Standing ”).

 

1.5 A certificate from a director of the Company a copy of which is attached hereto (the “ Director’s Certificate ”).

 

1.6 A draft of the Underwriting Agreement in the form filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration Statement.

 

1.7 The Registration Statement.

 

2 Assumptions

The following opinion is given only as to, and based on, circumstances and matters of fact existing and known to us on the date of this opinion. This opinion only relates to the laws of the Cayman Islands which are in force on the date of this opinion. In giving this opinion we have relied (without further verification) upon the completeness and accuracy of the factual confirmations contained in the Director’s Certificate and the Certificate of Good Standing. We have also relied upon the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified:

 

2.1 Copies of documents, conformed copies or drafts of documents provided to us are true and complete copies of, or in the final forms of, the originals, and translations of documents provided to us are complete and accurate.

 

2.2 All signatures, initials and seals are genuine.

 

2.3 There is no legal prohibition (other than as arising under Cayman Islands law) binding on the Company prohibiting it from entering into and performing its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement or and the Registration Statement.

 

3 Opinions

Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing assumptions and the qualifications set out below, and having regard to such legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:

 

3.1 The Company has been duly incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

3.2 The issue of the Shares to be issued by the Company as contemplated by the Registration Statement has been authorised, and when issued and paid for in the manner described in the Underwriting Agreement, and in accordance with the resolutions adopted by the directors of the Company at the Meeting, such Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable. As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a share is only issued when it has been entered in the register of members (shareholders) of the Company.

 

SUS/693334-000001/51133035v5   2


3.3 The authorised share capital of the Company is US$6,000,000.00 divided into 200,000,000 shares of a par or nominal value of US$0.03 each.

 

3.4 Upon the Post-IPO Memorandum and Articles and the Re-Designation Resolution becoming effective, the authorised share capital of the Company will be US$6,900,000 divided into 200,000,000 Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.03 each and 30,000,000 Preferred Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.03 each.

Under Cayman Islands law, the register of members (shareholders) is prima facie evidence of title to shares and this register would not record a third party interest in such shares. However, there are certain limited circumstances where an application may be made to a Cayman Islands court for a determination on whether the register of members reflects the correct legal position. Further, the Cayman Islands court has the power to order that the register of members maintained by a company should be rectified where it considers that the register of members does not reflect the correct legal position. As far as we are aware, such applications are rarely made in the Cayman Islands, but if this were to occur in respect of the Company’s Shares, then the validity of such shares may be subject to re-examination by a Cayman Islands court.

Except as specifically stated herein, we make no comment with respect to any representations and warranties which may be made by or with respect to the Company in any of the documents or instruments cited in this opinion or otherwise with respect to the commercial terms of the transactions the subject of this opinion.

In this opinion, the phrase “non-assessable” means, with respect to the Shares in the Company, that a shareholder shall not, solely by virtue of its status as a shareholder, be liable for additional assessments or calls on the Shares by the Company or its creditors (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstance in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).

To maintain the Company in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, annual filing fees must be paid and returns made to the Registrar of Companies within the time frame prescribed by law.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our name under the headings “Shareholder Suits, “Enforcement of Judgments” and “Legal Matters”, and elsewhere in the Registration Statement. In providing our consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder.

This opinion is limited to the matters detailed herein and is not to be read as an opinion with respect to any other matter.

Yours faithfully

/s/ Maples and Calder

Maples and Calder

 

SUS/693334-000001/51133035v5   3


SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

PO Box 309, Ugland House

Grand Cayman

KY1-1104

Cayman Islands

19 May 2017

 

To:       Maples and Calder
  PO Box 309, Ugland House
  Grand Cayman
  KY1-1104
  Cayman Islands

Dear Sirs

SMART Global Holdings, Inc. (the “ Company ”)

I, being a director of the Company, am aware that you are being asked to provide a legal opinion (the “ Opinion ”) in relation to certain aspects of Cayman Islands law. Capitalised terms used in this certificate have the meaning given to them in the Opinion. I hereby certify, as matters of fact, solely in my capacity as a director of the Company that:

 

1 The Current Memorandum and Articles have not been amended and remain in full force and effect.

 

2 The Minutes are a true and correct record of the proceedings of the Meeting, which was duly convened and held, and at which a quorum was present throughout, in each case, in the manner prescribed in the Current Memorandum and Articles. The resolutions set out in the Minutes were duly passed in the manner prescribed in the Current Memorandum and Articles (including, without limitation, with respect to the disclosure of interests (if any) by directors of the Company) and have not been amended, varied or revoked in any respect.

 

3 The authorised share capital of the Company as set out in the Special Resolution has not been amended.

 

4 The shareholders of the Company have not restricted or limited the power of the directors in any way.

 

5 The Shareholder Minutes are a true and correct record of the proceedings of such meeting, which was duly convened and held, and at which a quorum was present throughout. The resolutions contained in the Shareholder Minutes were duly adopted, are in full force and effect at the date hereof and have not been amended, varied or revoked in any respect.

 

6 The directors of the Company at the date of the Meeting and at the date hereof were and are as follows: Kenneth Y. Hao, James A. Davidson, Iain MacKenzie, Paul Mercadante, Ajay Bhupendra Shah, Jason White, Mukesh Patel and Sandeep Nayyar.

 

7 The minute book and corporate records of the Company as maintained at its registered office in the Cayman Islands and made available to us are complete and accurate in all respects material to the IPO, and all minutes and resolutions filed therein represent a complete and accurate record of all meetings of the shareholders and directors (or any committee thereof) (duly convened in accordance with the then effective Articles of Association) and all resolutions passed at the meetings, or passed by written consent as the case may be.

 

SUS/693334-000001/51133035v5   4


8 No invitation has been or will be made by or on behalf of the Company to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for any of the Shares.

 

9 The Company will receive money or money’s worth in consideration for the issue of the Shares, and none of the Shares were or will be issued for less than par value.

 

SUS/693334-000001/51133035v5   5


I confirm that you may continue to rely on this certificate as being true and correct on the day that you issue the Opinion unless I shall have previously notified you in writing personally to the contrary.

 

Signature:  

/s/ Iain MacKenzie

Name:   Iain MacKenzie
Title:   Director

 

SUS/693334-000001/51133035v5   6

Exhibit 10.8

Execution Version

 

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

August 26, 2011,

among

SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.,

as Holdings,

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,

as Parent Borrower,

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,

as Co-Borrower,

The Lenders Party Hereto

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

 

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC,

Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner,

and

UBS SECURITIES LLC,

Joint Lead Arranger, Joint Bookrunner and Syndication Agent,

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

            Page  
ARTICLE I  
DEFINITIONS  
SECTION 1.01.     

Defined Terms

     1  
SECTION 1.02.     

Classification of Loans and Borrowings

     47  
SECTION 1.03.     

Terms Generally

     47  
SECTION 1.04.     

Accounting Terms; GAAP

     48  
SECTION 1.05.     

Effectuation of Transactions

     48  
SECTION 1.06.     

Currency Translation

     48  
ARTICLE II  
THE CREDITS  
SECTION 2.01.     

Commitments

     48  
SECTION 2.02.     

Loans and Borrowings

     48  
SECTION 2.03.     

Requests for Borrowings

     49  
SECTION 2.04.     

Swingline Loans

     50  
SECTION 2.05.     

Letters of Credit and Bank Guarantees

     51  
SECTION 2.06.     

Funding of Borrowings

     56  
SECTION 2.07.     

Interest Elections

     57  
SECTION 2.08.     

Termination and Reduction of Commitments

     58  
SECTION 2.09.     

Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt

     59  
SECTION 2.10.     

Amortization of Term Loans

     59  
SECTION 2.11.     

Prepayment of Loans

     60  
SECTION 2.12.     

Fees

     68  
SECTION 2.13.     

Interest

     70  
SECTION 2.14.     

Alternate Rate of Interest

     70  
SECTION 2.15.     

Increased Costs

     71  
SECTION 2.16.     

Break Funding Payments

     72  
SECTION 2.17.     

Taxes

     72  
SECTION 2.18.     

Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs

     75  
SECTION 2.19.     

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

     77  
SECTION 2.20.     

Increased Term Loans

     77  
SECTION 2.21.     

Refinancing Amendments

     79  
SECTION 2.22.     

Defaulting Lenders

     80  
SECTION 2.23.     

Illegality

     81  
ARTICLE III  
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES  
SECTION 3.01.     

Organization; Powers

     82  
SECTION 3.02.     

Authorization; Enforceability

     82  
SECTION 3.03.     

Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts

     82  
SECTION 3.04.     

Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect

     83  

 

-i-


            Page  
SECTION 3.05.     

Properties

     83  
SECTION 3.06.     

Litigation and Environmental Matters

     84  
SECTION 3.07.     

Compliance with Laws and Agreements

     84  
SECTION 3.08.     

Investment Company Status

     84  
SECTION 3.09.     

Taxes

     84  
SECTION 3.10.     

ERISA

     84  
SECTION 3.11.     

Disclosure

     85  
SECTION 3.12.     

Subsidiaries

     85  
SECTION 3.13.     

Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.

     85  
SECTION 3.14.     

Solvency

     85  
SECTION 3.15.     

Senior Indebtedness

     86  
SECTION 3.16.     

Federal Reserve Regulations

     86  
SECTION 3.17.     

Use of Proceeds

     86  
ARTICLE IV  
CONDITIONS  
SECTION 4.01.     

Effective Date

     86  
SECTION 4.02.     

Each Credit Event

     89  
ARTICLE V  
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS  
SECTION 5.01.     

Financial Statements and Other Information

     90  
SECTION 5.02.     

Notices of Material Events

     93  
SECTION 5.03.     

Information Regarding Collateral

     93  
SECTION 5.04.     

Existence; Conduct of Business

     94  
SECTION 5.05.     

Payment of Taxes, etc.

     94  
SECTION 5.06.     

Maintenance of Properties

     94  
SECTION 5.07.     

Insurance

     94  
SECTION 5.08.     

Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights

     94  
SECTION 5.09.     

Compliance with Laws

     95  
SECTION 5.10.     

Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit

     95  
SECTION 5.11.     

Additional Subsidiaries

     95  
SECTION 5.12.     

Further Assurances

     95  
SECTION 5.13.     

Ratings

     96  
SECTION 5.14.     

Certain Post-Closing Obligations

     96  
SECTION 5.15.     

Storage Monetization

     96  
SECTION 5.16.     

Designation of Subsidiaries

     96  
ARTICLE VI  
NEGATIVE COVENANTS  
SECTION 6.01.     

Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities

     97  
SECTION 6.02.     

Liens

     101  
SECTION 6.03.     

Fundamental Changes; Holding Companies

     103  
SECTION 6.04.     

Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions

     106  
SECTION 6.05.     

Asset Sales

     108  

 

-ii-


            Page  
SECTION 6.06.     

Sale and Leaseback Transactions

     110  
SECTION 6.07.     

Swap Agreements

     110  
SECTION 6.08.     

Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness

     110  
SECTION 6.09.     

Transactions with Affiliates

     113  
SECTION 6.10.     

Restrictive Agreements

     114  
SECTION 6.11.     

Amendment of Junior Financing

     115  
SECTION 6.12.     

Financial Covenant

     115  
SECTION 6.13.     

Changes in Fiscal Periods

     115  
ARTICLE VII  
EVENTS OF DEFAULT  
SECTION 7.01.     

Events of Default

     115  
SECTION 7.02.     

Right to Cure

     118  
SECTION 7.03.     

Application of Proceeds

     119  
ARTICLE VIII  
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT  
ARTICLE IX  
MISCELLANEOUS  
SECTION 9.01.     

Notices

     122  
SECTION 9.02.     

Waivers; Amendments

     123  
SECTION 9.03.     

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

     126  
SECTION 9.04.     

Successors and Assigns

     128  
SECTION 9.05.     

Survival

     132  
SECTION 9.06.     

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness

     133  
SECTION 9.07.     

Severability

     133  
SECTION 9.08.     

Right of Setoff

     133  
SECTION 9.09.     

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

     134  
SECTION 9.10.     

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     134  
SECTION 9.11.     

Headings

     134  
SECTION 9.12.     

Confidentiality

     134  
SECTION 9.13.     

USA Patriot Act

     136  
SECTION 9.14.     

Judgment Currency

     136  
SECTION 9.15.     

Release of Liens and Guarantees

     136  
SECTION 9.16.     

No Fiduciary Relationship

     137  
SECTION 9.17.     

Obligation Joint and Several

     137  

 

-iii-


ANNEX I
AMORTIZATION TABLE
SCHEDULES:
Schedule 1.01(a)        Excluded Subsidiaries
Schedule 1.01(b)        Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 2.01        Commitments
Schedule 3.12        Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.14        Certain Post-Closing Obligations
Schedule 6.01        Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02        Existing Liens
Schedule 6.04(e)        Existing Investments
Schedule 6.09        Existing Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 6.10        Existing Restrictions
EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A        Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit B        Form of Guarantee Agreement
Exhibit C        [Reserved].
Exhibit D        Form of Perfection Certificate
Exhibit E        Form of Collateral Agreement
Exhibit F-1        Form of Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Exhibit F-2        Form of Opinion of Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados
Exhibit F-3        Form of Opinion of Walkers Global
Exhibit F-4        Form of Opinion of De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek
Exhibit F-5        Form of Opinion of Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen
Exhibit G        Form of First Lien Intercreditor Agreement
Exhibit H        Form of Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement
Exhibit I        Form of Closing Certificate
Exhibit J        Form of Intercompany Note
Exhibit K        Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Notice
Exhibit L        Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Response
Exhibit M        Form of Discount Range Prepayment Notice
Exhibit N        Form of Discount Range Prepayment Offer
Exhibit O        Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice
Exhibit P        Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer
Exhibit Q        Form of Acceptance and Prepayment Notice
Exhibit R-1        Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit R-2        Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit R-3        Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit R-4        Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

-iv-


CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of August 26, 2011 (this “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party hereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

WHEREAS, the Parent Borrower has requested the Lenders to (a) extend Term Loans, and (b) provide Revolving Loans, subject to the Revolving Commitment, to a Borrower at any time during the Revolving Availability Period. The Parent Borrower has requested the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit at any time during the Revolving Availability Period, in an aggregate face amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $15,000,000. The Parent Borrower has requested the Swingline Lender to extend credit in the form of Swingline Loans at any time during the Revolving Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $10,000,000; and

WHEREAS, each Revolving Loan will be a “first-out” loan, subject to the terms of the Security Documents.

NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

ABR ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

Acceptable Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Acceptable Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Acceptance and Prepayment Notice ” means an irrevocable written notice from a Term Lender accepting a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment at the Acceptable Discount specified therein pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) substantially in the form of Exhibit Q .

Acceptance Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Acquired EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Acquired Entity or Business or any Converted Restricted Subsidiary (any of the foregoing, a “ Pro Forma Entity ”) for any period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Pro Forma Entity (determined as if references to the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the definition of the term “Consolidated EBITDA” were references to such Pro Forma Entity and its subsidiaries which will become Restricted Subsidiaries), all as determined on a consolidated basis for such Pro Forma Entity.

Acquisition ” means the acquisition of the Target and its subsidiaries.


Acquisition Agreement ” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 26, 2011 among Holdings, Saleen Acquisition, Inc. and the Target.

Acquisition Documents ” means the Acquisition Agreement, all other agreements to be entered into between the Target or its Affiliates and Holdings or its Affiliates in connection with the Acquisition and all schedules, exhibits and annexes to each of the foregoing and all side letters, instruments and agreements affecting the terms of the foregoing or entered into in connection therewith.

Additional Lender ” means, at any time, any bank or other financial institution (including any such bank or financial institution that is a Lender at such time) that agrees to provide any portion of any (a) Incremental Term Loan pursuant to an Incremental Term Facility Amendment in accordance with Section 2.20 or (b) Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment in accordance with Section 2.21; provided that each Additional Lender (other than any Person that is a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund of a Lender at such time) shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent (such approval in each case not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and the Parent Borrower.

Additional Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(xxiii).

Adjusted LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in dollars for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to (i) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (ii) the Statutory Reserve Rate.

Administrative Agent ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Article VIII. The Administrative Agent may from time to time designate one or more of its Affiliates or branches to perform the functions of the Administrative Agent in connection with Loans denominated in any currency other than dollars, in which case references herein to the “Administrative Agent” shall, in connection with Loans denominated in any such currency, mean any Affiliate or branch so designated.

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly or indirectly Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Affiliated Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that is the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor (other than Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of their respective subsidiaries) at such time.

Agent ” means the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and any successors and assigns in such capacity, and “ Agents ” means two or more of them.

Agreement Currency ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.14(b).

Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) for a deposit in dollars with a maturity of one month plus 1%. For purposes of

 

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clause (c) above, the Adjusted LIBO Rate on any day shall be based on the rate appearing on the Reuters “LIBOR01” screen displaying British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates (or on any successor or substitute screen provided by Reuters, or any successor to or substitute for such service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such screen, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to such day for deposits in dollars with a maturity of one month. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Alternate Base Rate will be deemed to be 2.25% per annum if the Alternate Base Rate calculated pursuant to the foregoing provisions would otherwise be less than 2.25% per annum.

Applicable Account ” means, with respect to any payment to be made to the Administrative Agent hereunder, the account specified by the Administrative Agent from time to time for the purpose of receiving payments of such type.

Applicable Creditor ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.14(b).

Applicable Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Applicable Fronting Exposure ” means, with respect to any Person that is an Issuing Bank or a Swingline Lender at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of all Letters of Credit issued by such Person in its capacity as an Issuing Bank (if applicable) that remains available for drawing at such time, (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements made by such Person in its capacity as an Issuing Bank (if applicable) that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of such Borrower at such time and (c) the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans made by such Person in its capacity as a Swingline Lender (if applicable) outstanding at such time.

Applicable Percentage ” means, at any time with respect to any Revolving Lender, the percentage of the aggregate Revolving Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time (or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, such Lender’s share of the total Revolving Exposure at that time); provided that, at any time any Revolving Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the total Revolving Commitments (disregarding any such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment) represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment. If the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments pursuant to this Agreement and to any Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender at the time of determination.

Applicable Rate ” means, for any day, (a)(i) with respect to any Term Loan, (A) 6.0% per annum, in the case of an ABR Loan, or (B) 7.0% per annum, in the case of a Eurocurrency Loan, and (b) with respect to any ABR Loan or Eurocurrency Loan (other than a Term Loan), the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “ABR Spread” or “Eurocurrency Spread”, as the case may be, based upon the Secured Net Leverage Ratio as of the end of the fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower for which consolidated financial statements have theretofore been most recently delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b); provided that, for purposes of clause (b), until the date of the delivery of the consolidated financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) as of and for the fiscal quarter ended November 25, 2011, the Applicable Rate shall be based on the rates per annum set forth in Category 1:

 

Secured Net Leverage Ratio:

   ABR
Spread
    Eurocurrency
Spread
 

Category 1

    

Greater than 2.25 to 1.00

     3.50     4.50

Category 2

    

Less than or equal to 2.25 to 1.00

     3.25     4.25

 

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For purposes of the foregoing, each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Secured Net Leverage Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the Business Day following the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) of the consolidated financial statements and related Compliance Certificate indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Rate, at the option of the Administrative Agent or the Majority in Interest of the Revolving Lenders, shall be based on the rates per annum set forth in Category 1 (i) at any time that an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a) has occurred and is continuing and shall continue to so apply to but excluding the date on which such Event of Default shall cease to be continuing (and thereafter, the Category otherwise determined in accordance with this definition shall apply) or (ii) if Holdings and the Parent Borrower fail to deliver the consolidated financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) or any Compliance Certificate required to be delivered pursuant hereto, in each case within the time periods specified herein for such delivery, during the period commencing on and including the day of the occurrence of a Default resulting from such failure and until the delivery thereof.

Approved Bank ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Permitted Investments”.

Approved Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any Person whose consent is required by Section 9.04), substantially in the form of Exhibit A or any other form reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent.

Auction Agent ” means (a) the Administrative Agent or (b) any other financial institution or advisor employed by a Borrower (whether or not an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) to act as an arranger in connection with any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii); provided that such Borrower shall not designate the Administrative Agent as the Auction Agent without the written consent of the Administrative Agent (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to agree to act as the Auction Agent).

Audited Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Target and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2008, August 28, 2009 and August 27, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows of the Target and its subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

 

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Available Amount ”, means a cumulative amount equal to (without duplication):

(a) 50% of Consolidated Net Income of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries from the Effective Date; provided that amounts under this clause (a) shall not be available for purposes of any Restricted Payment made pursuant to Section 6.08(a)(vii) or Section 6.08(b)(iv) unless the Total Net Leverage Ratio is less than 2.5 to 1.0 on a Pro Forma Basis.

(b) the net cash proceeds of new equity issuances of the Parent Borrower (other than Disqualified Equity Interest), plus

(c) capital contributions received by the Parent Borrower after the Effective Date in cash or cash equivalents (other than in respect of any Cure Amount or any Disqualified Equity Interest), plus

(d) dividends or other distributions or returns on capital received by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus

(e) the net cash proceeds of a sale or other Disposition of any Unrestricted Subsidiary (including the issuance of stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary) received by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amounts received by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with a Monetization or otherwise pursuant to Section 5.15 shall not increase the Available Amount.

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board, (b) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers or board of directors of such Person, (c) in the case of any partnership, the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of such Person and (d) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing.

Board of Governors ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

Borrower ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment ” means the offer by a Borrower to make a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a specified discount to par pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers ” means the solicitation by a Borrower of offers for, and the corresponding acceptance by a Term Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a specified range at a discount to par pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers ” means the solicitation by a Borrower of offers for, and the subsequent acceptance, if any, by a Term Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a discount to par pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Borrowing ” means (a) Loans of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date in the same currency and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, or (b) a Swingline Loan.

 

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Borrowing Minimum ” means (a) in the case of a Revolving Borrowing, $1,000,000 and (b) in the case of a Swingline Loan, $100,000.

Borrowing Multiple ” means (a) in the case of a Revolving Borrowing, $1,000,000 and (b) in the case of a Swingline Loan, $100,000.

Borrowing Request ” means a request by a Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

Capital Expenditures ” means, for any period, the additions to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries that are (or should be) set forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Parent Borrower for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Capital Lease Obligation ” means an obligation that is as a Capitalized Lease; and the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby at any time shall be the amount of the liability in respect thereof that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date.

Capitalized Leases ” means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date, recorded as capitalized leases.

Capitalized Software Expenditures ” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

Cash Management Obligations ” means obligations of Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds.

Casualty Event ” means any event that gives rise to the receipt by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards in respect of any equipment, fixed assets or real property (including any improvements thereon) to replace or repair such equipment, fixed assets or real property.

Change in Control ” means (a) the failure of Holdings prior to the IPO, or, after the IPO, the IPO Entity, directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries, to own all of the Equity Interest of the Parent Borrower, (b) prior to an IPO, the failure by the Permitted Holders to own, directly or indirectly through one or more holding company parents of Holdings, beneficially and of record, Equity Interests in Holdings representing at least a majority of the aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors of Holdings represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Holdings, unless the Permitted Holders otherwise have the right (pursuant to contract, proxy or otherwise), directly or indirectly, to designate or appoint (and do so designate or appoint) a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings, (c) after an IPO, the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any

 

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Person or group (within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), other than the Permitted Holders, of Equity Interests representing 40% or more of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in the IPO Entity and the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power so held is greater than the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the Equity Interests in the IPO Entity held by the Permitted Holders, (d) (i) if the IPO Entity is organized in the United States, at any time, and (ii) otherwise, prior to the IPO, the occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the Board of Directors of Holdings by Persons who were neither (i) nominated, designated or approved by the Board of Directors of Holdings or the Permitted Holders nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated, designated or approved or (e) the occurrence of a “Change of Control” (or similar event, however denominated), as defined in the documentation governing any Material Indebtedness.

Change in Law ” means: (a) the adoption of any rule, regulation, treaty or other law after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any rule, regulation, treaty or other law or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) any request, rules, guidelines or directives under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or issued in connection therewith and (ii) any requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank of International Settlements, the Basel Committee or Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case shall be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, to the extent enacted, adopted, promulgated or issued after the date of this Agreement.

Class ” when used in reference to (a) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Other Revolving Loans, Term Loans, Incremental Term Loans, Other Term Loans or Swingline Loans, (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Commitment, Other Revolving Commitment, Term Commitment or Other Term Commitment and (c) any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment with respect to a particular Class of Loans or Commitments. Other Term Commitments, Other Term Loans, Other Revolving Commitments (and the Other Revolving Loans made pursuant thereto) and Incremental Term Loans that have different terms and conditions shall be construed to be in different Classes.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Collateral ” means any and all assets, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, on which Liens are purported to be granted pursuant to the Security Documents as security for the Secured Obligations.

Collateral Agent ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Collateral Agreement.

Collateral Agreement ” means the Collateral Agreement among the Co-Borrower, each other Domestic Subsidiary that is a Loan Party and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit E .

Collateral and Guarantee Requirement ” means, at any time, the requirement that:

(a) the Administrative Agent shall have received from (i) Holdings, the Borrowers and each Subsidiary Loan Party either (x) a counterpart of the Guarantee Agreement duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person or (y) in the case of any Person that becomes a Loan

 

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Party after the Effective Date (including by ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary), a supplement to the Guarantee Agreement, in the form specified therein, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person (ii) Holdings and each Domestic Subsidiary Loan Party either (x) a counterpart of the Collateral Agreement duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person or (y) in the case of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party after the Effective Date (including by ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary), a supplement to the Collateral Agreement, in the form specified therein, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person and (iii) each Foreign Subsidiary that is a Loan Party either (x) counterparts to one or more Foreign Collateral Agreements or Foreign Pledge Agreements or (y) in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary Loan Party that becomes such after the Effective Date, either counterparts to a new supplements to existing Foreign Collateral Agreements or Foreign Pledge Agreements, in each case that the Administrative Agent determines, based on advice of counsel, to be reasonably necessary in order for the Secured Obligations to be secured by all or substantially all tangible and intangible assets of such Foreign Subsidiary (including Mortgaged Properties, accounts receivable, moveable assets (including inventory and equipment), contract rights, intellectual property and other general intangibles and proceeds of the foregoing, but excluding Equity Interests other than Equity Interests required to be pledged pursuant to clause (b) below) in which a security interest may be obtained under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Foreign Subsidiary, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person, in each case under this clause (a) together with, in the case of any such Loan Documents executed and delivered after the Effective Date, documents and opinions of the type referred to in Sections 4.01(b) and 4.01(c));

(b) all outstanding Equity Interests of each Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Equity Interests constituting Excluded Assets) owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party, shall have been pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, a Foreign Collateral Agreement or a Foreign Pledge Agreement, and the Administrative Agent shall have received certificates or other instruments representing all such Equity Interests (if any), together with undated stock powers or other instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

(c) if any Indebtedness for borrowed money (including in respect of cash management arrangements) of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or more is owing by such obligor to any Loan Party, such Indebtedness shall be evidenced by a promissory note that shall have been pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, or a Foreign Collateral Agreement, as applicable, and the Administrative Agent shall have received all such promissory notes, together with undated instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

(d) all certificates, agreements, documents and instruments, including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, required by the Security Documents, Requirements of Law and reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, delivered, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by the Security Documents and perfect such Liens to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, the Security Documents and the other provisions of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”, shall have been filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Administrative Agent for filing, registration or recording; and

(e) the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) counterparts of a Mortgage with respect to each Mortgaged Property duly executed and delivered by the record owner of such Mortgaged Property, (ii) to the extent applicable in the relevant jurisdiction (w) a policy or policies of title insurance in the amount equal to not less than 100% (or such lesser amount as reasonably agreed to by the Administrative Agent) of the fair market value of such Mortgaged Property

 

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and fixtures, as reasonably determined by the Parent Borrower and agreed to by the Administrative Agent, issued by a nationally recognized title insurance company reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent insuring the Lien of each such Mortgage as a first priority Lien on the Mortgaged Property described therein, free of any other Liens except as expressly permitted by Section 6.02, together with such endorsements (other than a creditor’s rights endorsement), coinsurance and reinsurance as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to the extent available in the applicable jurisdiction at commercially reasonable rates, (x) such affidavits, instruments of indemnification (including a so-called “gap” indemnification) as are customarily requested by the title company to induce the title company to issue the title policy/ies and endorsements contemplated above, (y) evidence reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent of payment by the Parent Borrower of all title policy premiums, search and examination charges, escrow charges and related charges, mortgage recording taxes, fees, charges, costs and expenses required for the recording of the Mortgages and issuance of the title policies referred to above, (z) a completed “Life-of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each Mortgaged Property subject to the applicable FEMA rules and regulations (together with a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the Parent Borrower and each Loan Party relating thereto), (iii) if any Mortgaged Property is located in an area determined by FEMA to have special flood hazards, evidence of such flood insurance as may be required under applicable law, including Regulation H of the Board of Governors and the other Flood Insurance Laws and as required under Section 5.07, and (iv) such legal opinions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request with respect to any such Mortgage or Mortgaged Property.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition or anything in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, (a) the foregoing provisions of this definition shall not require the creation or perfection of pledges of or security interests in, or the obtaining of title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables with respect to, particular assets of the Loan Parties, or the provision of Guarantees by any Subsidiary, if, and for so long as and to the extent that the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower reasonably agree in writing that the cost of creating or perfecting such pledges or security interests in such assets, or obtaining such title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables in respect of such assets, or providing such Guarantees (taking into account any material adverse Tax consequences to Holdings and its Affiliates (including the imposition of withholding or other material Taxes)), shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom, (b) Liens required to be granted from time to time pursuant to the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” shall be subject to exceptions and limitations set forth in the Security Documents as in effect on the Effective Date, (c) in no event shall control agreements or other control or similar arrangements be required with respect to deposit accounts, securities accounts, letter of credit rights or other assets requiring perfection by control (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, possession) and (d) in no event shall the Collateral include any Excluded Assets. The Administrative Agent may grant extensions of time for the creation and perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables with respect to particular assets or the provision of any Guarantee by any Subsidiary (including extensions beyond the Effective Date or in connection with assets acquired, or Subsidiaries formed or acquired, after the Effective Date) where it determines that such action cannot be accomplished without undue effort or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required to be accomplished by this Agreement or the Security Documents.

Commitment ” means (a) with respect to any Lender, its Revolving Commitment, Other Revolving Commitment of any Class, Term Commitment, Other Term Commitment of any Class or any combination thereof (as the context requires) and (b) with respect to any Swingline Lender, its Swingline Commitment.

 

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Compliance Certificate ” means a Compliance Certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01.

Consolidated EBITDA ” means for any period, the Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus :

(a) without duplication and to the extent already deducted (and not added back) in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(i) total interest expense and, to the extent not reflected in such total interest expense, any losses on hedging obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk and any losses on the sale or receivables and related assets pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Factoring, net of interest income and gains on such hedging obligations or such derivative instruments, and bank and letter of credit fees and costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities,

(ii) provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including federal, foreign and state income, franchise, and similar taxes based on income, profits or capital paid or accrued during such period (including in respect of repatriated funds),

(iii) depreciation and amortization (including amortization of Capitalized Software Expenditures and amortization of deferred financing fees or costs),

(iv) Non-Cash Charges,

(v) extraordinary losses in accordance with GAAP,

(vi) non-recurring charges (including any unusual or non-recurring operating expenses directly attributable to the implementation of cost savings initiatives), severance, relocation costs, integration and facilities’ opening costs and other business optimization expenses, signing costs, retention or completion bonuses, transition costs, costs related to closure/consolidation of facilities and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans (including any settlement of pension liabilities); provided that the amount included in Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (vi) shall not exceed $10,000,000 in any Test Period and a maximum of $40,000,000 prior to the Latest Maturity Date, in each case, in the aggregate,

(vii) restructuring charges, accruals or reserves (including restructuring costs related to acquisitions after the Effective Date and adjustments to existing reserves); provided that the aggregate amount included in Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (vii) for any of the first four Test Periods after the Effective Date shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA for any such Test Period (calculated prior to giving effect to any adjustment pursuant to this clause (vii)) and any Test Period thereafter shall not exceed 5% of Consolidated EBITDA for such Test Period (calculated prior to giving effect to any adjustment pursuant to this clause (vii)),

(viii) the amount of any non-controlling interest consisting of subsidiary income attributable to non-controlling interests of third parties in any non-wholly-owned subsidiary deducted (and not added back in such period to Consolidated Net Income) excluding cash distributions in respect thereof,

 

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(ix) (A) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees, indemnities and related expenses paid or accrued in such period to (or on behalf of) the Sponsor (including any termination fees payable in connection with the early termination of management and monitoring agreements) and (B) the amount of expenses relating to payments made to option holders of Holdings or any of its direct or indirect parent companies in connection with, or as a result of, any distribution being made to shareholders of such person or its direct or indirect parent companies, which payments are being made to compensate such option holders as though they were shareholders at the time of, and entitled to share in, such distribution, in each case to the extent permitted in the Loan Documents,

(x) losses on asset sales, disposals or abandonments (other than asset sales, disposals or abandonments in the ordinary course of business),

(xi) the amount of any net losses from discontinued operations in accordance with GAAP,

(xii) any non-cash loss attributable to the mark to market movement in the valuation of hedging obligations (to the extent the cash impact resulting from such loss has not been realized) or other derivative instruments pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Codification No. 815-Derivatives and Hedging,

(xiii) any loss relating to amounts paid in cash prior to the stated settlement date of any hedging obligation that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income for such period, and

(xiv) any gain relating to hedging obligations associated with transactions realized in the current period that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income in prior periods and excluded from Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clauses (d)(v) and (d)(vi) below;

plus

(b) without duplication, the amount of additional “run rate” cost savings projected by the Parent Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions initiated on or prior to the date that is 12 months after the Effective Date (including actions initiated prior to the Effective Date) (which cost savings shall be added to Consolidated EBITDA until fully realized and calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of the relevant period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized from such actions; provided that (A) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and quantifiable, (B) no cost savings shall be added pursuant to this clause (b) to the extent duplicative of any expenses or charges relating to such cost savings that are included in clauses (a)(vi) and (a)(vii) above or in the definition of the term “Pro Forma Adjustment” (it being understood and agreed that “run rate” shall mean the full recurring benefit that is associated with any action taken) and (C) the aggregate amount of cost savings added pursuant to this clause shall not exceed an amount equal to 15% of Consolidated EBITDA for any Test Period;

(c) without duplication, the amount of discretionary research and development costs incurred by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries which are identified in good faith by the Parent Borrower to have been incurred specifically for the purposes of qualifying for a reduced tax rate or other tax incentive in Brazil and that were not required to support the Parent

 

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Borrower’s ongoing research and development activities; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of such costs added pursuant to this clause shall not exceed $15,000,000 in any Test Period and (ii) if the aggregate amount of such costs added pursuant to this clause with respect to any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower exceeds the tax benefit actually derived therefrom calculated by the Parent Borrower in good faith based on its annual tax returns, the amount of any such excess shall reduce Consolidated EBITDA in the fiscal quarter in which such annual tax returns are filed or, if earlier, in the fiscal quarter in which such excess is determined;

less

(d) without duplication and to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(i) extraordinary gains and unusual or non-recurring gains,

(ii) non-cash gains (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDA in any prior period),

(iii) gains on asset sales, disposals or abandonments (other than asset sales, disposals or abandonments in the ordinary course of business),

(iv) the amount of any net income from discontinued operations in accordance with GAAP,

(v) any non-cash gain attributable to the mark to market movement in the valuation of hedging obligations (to the extent the cash impact resulting from such gain has not been realized) or other derivative instruments pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Codification No. 815-Derivatives and Hedging,

(vi) any gain relating to amounts received in cash prior to the stated settlement date of any hedging obligation that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income in the such period,

(vii) any loss relating to hedging obligations associated with transactions realized in the current period that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income in prior periods and excluded from Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clauses (a)(xiii) and (a)(xiv) above, and

(viii) the amount of any non-controlling interest consisting of subsidiary loss attributable to non-controlling interests of third parties in any non-wholly-owned subsidiary added (and not deducted in such period to Consolidated Net Income);

in each case, as determined on a consolidated basis for the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP; provided that, to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income,

(I) there shall be excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of indebtedness (including the net loss or gain resulting from hedging agreements for currency exchange risk and revaluations of intercompany balances),

 

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(II) there shall be excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period any adjustments resulting from the application of Financial Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Codification No. 815-Derivatives and Hedging,

(III) there shall be included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period, without duplication, (A) the Acquired EBITDA of any person, property, business or asset acquired by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) whether such acquisition occurred before or after the Effective Date to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (but not including the Acquired EBITDA of any related person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired) (each such person, property, business or asset acquired, including pursuant to the Transactions or pursuant to a transaction consummated prior to the Effective Date, and not subsequently so disposed of, an “ Acquired Entity or Business ”), and the Acquired EBITDA of any Unrestricted Subsidiary that is converted into a Restricted Subsidiary during such period (each, a “ Converted Restricted Subsidiary ”), in each case based on the Acquired EBITDA of such Pro Forma Entity for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis and (B) an adjustment in respect of each Pro Forma Entity equal to the amount of the Pro Forma Adjustment with respect to such Pro Forma Entity for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) as specified in a Pro Forma Adjustment certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent (for further delivery to the Lenders), and

(IV) there shall be (A) excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period the Disposed EBITDA of any person, property, business or asset (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified as discontinued operations by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (including, in any event, the Storage Business) (each such person, property, business or asset so sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified, a “ Sold Entity or Business ”), and the Disposed EBITDA of any Restricted Subsidiary that is converted into an Unrestricted Subsidiary during such period (each, a “ Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary ”), in each case based on the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such sale, transfer, disposition, closure, classification or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis and (B) included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period in which a Sold Entity or Business is disposed, an adjustment equal to the Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment with respect to such Sold Entity or Business (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such disposal) as specified in the Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent (for further delivery to the Lenders).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for all purposes of this Agreement, Consolidated EBITDA shall be deemed to equal (a) $33,444,000 for the fiscal quarter ended November 26, 2010, (b) $18,288,000 for the fiscal quarter ended February 25, 2011 and (c) $21,199,000 for the fiscal quarter ended May 27, 2011.

Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net income (loss) of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, excluding, without duplication, (a) extraordinary items for such period, (b) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, (c) Transaction Costs, (d) any fees and expenses (including any transaction or retention bonus) incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any

 

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acquisition, Investment, asset disposition, issuance or repayment of debt, issuance of equity securities, refinancing transaction or amendment or other modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Effective Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, (e) any income (loss) for such period attributable to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, hedging agreements or other derivative instruments, (f) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted as a result of the Transactions in accordance with GAAP (including any adjustment of estimated payouts on existing earn-outs) or changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period, (g) stock-based award compensation expenses, (h) any income (loss) attributable to deferred compensation plans or trusts and (i) any income (loss) from investments recorded using the equity method. There shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income for any period the effects from applying acquisition method accounting, including applying acquisition method accounting to inventory, property and equipment, leases, software and other intangible assets and deferred revenue (including deferred costs related thereto and deferred rent) required or permitted by GAAP and related authoritative pronouncements (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries), as a result of the Transactions, any acquisition consummated prior to the Effective Date and any permitted acquisitions or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof.

In addition, to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received or due from business interruption insurance or reimbursement of expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification and other reimbursement provisions in connection with any acquisition or other Investment or any disposition of any asset permitted hereunder.

Consolidated Secured Net Debt ” means Consolidated Total Net Debt that is secured by a Lien on the Collateral.

Consolidated Total Net Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, (a) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (but excluding the effects of any discounting of indebtedness resulting from the application of acquisition method accounting in connection with the Transactions or any permitted acquisition) consisting only of indebtedness for borrowed money, unreimbursed obligations under letters of credit, obligations in respect of Capitalized Leases and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes or similar instruments, minus (b) the aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents to the extent the use thereof for the application to payment of indebtedness is not prohibited by law or any contract to which the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or otherwise listed as “restricted” on the Parent Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet; provided that, in no event, shall the amount deducted pursuant to this clause (b) be more than $75,000,000.

Consolidated Working Capital ” means, at any date, the excess of (a) the sum of all amounts (other than cash and Permitted Investments) that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date, excluding the current portion of current and deferred income taxes over (b) the sum of all amounts that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current liabilities” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on such date, including deferred revenue but excluding, without duplication, (i) the current portion of any Funded Debt, (ii) all Indebtedness consisting of Loans and obligations under Letters of Credit to the extent otherwise included therein, (iii) the current portion of interest and (iv) the current portion of current and deferred income taxes; provided that, for purposes of calculating Excess Cash Flow, increases or decreases in working capital (A) arising from acquisitions or dispositions by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be measured from the date on

 

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which such acquisition or disposition occurred until the first anniversary of such acquisition or disposition with respect to the Person subject to such acquisition or disposition and (B) shall exclude (I) the impact of non-cash adjustments contemplated in the Excess Cash Flow calculation, (II) the impact of adjusting items in the definition of “Consolidated Net Income” and (III) any changes in current assets or current liabilities as a result of (y) any reclassification in accordance with GAAP of assets or liabilities, as applicable, between current and noncurrent or (z) the effects of acquisition method accounting

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies, or the dismissal or appointment of the management, of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

Converted Restricted Subsidiary ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA”.

Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA”.

Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness ” means(a) Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt, (b) Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt, (c) Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt or (d) Indebtedness incurred or Other Revolving Commitments obtained pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, in each case, issued, incurred or otherwise obtained (including by means of the extension or renewal of existing Indebtedness) in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace or refinance, in whole or part, existing Term Loans, outstanding Revolving Loans or (in the case of Other Revolving Commitments obtained pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment) Revolving Commitments hereunder (including any successive Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness) (“ Refinanced Debt ”); provided that (i) such extending, renewing or refinancing Indebtedness (including, if such Indebtedness includes any Other Revolving Commitments, the unused portion of such Other Revolving Commitments) is in an original aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt (and, in the case of Refinanced Debt consisting, in whole or in part, of unused Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments, the amount thereof plus the amount of all accrued and unpaid interest, reasonable fees and premiums thereon and fees and expenses in connection therewith), (ii) such Indebtedness does not mature earlier than and, except in the case of Other Revolving Commitments, a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Refinanced Debt, and (iii) such Refinanced Debt shall be repaid, defeased or satisfied and discharged, and all accrued interest, fees and premiums (if any) in connection therewith shall be paid, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained; provided that to the extent that such Refinanced Debt consists, in whole or in part, of Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments (or Revolving Loans, Other Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans incurred pursuant to any Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments), such Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments, as applicable, shall be terminated, and all accrued fees in connection therewith shall be paid, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained.

Cure Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.02(a).

Cure Right ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.02(a).

Default ” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

 

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Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that has (a) failed to fund any portion of its Loans or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans within one Business Day of the date on which such funding is required hereunder, (b) notified the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement or provided any written notification to any Person to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent (whether acting on its own behalf or at the reasonable request of the Parent Borrower (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall comply with any such reasonable request)), to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, (d) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute or subsequently cured, or (e) (i) become or is insolvent or has a parent company that has become or is insolvent or (ii) become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or any action or proceeding of the type described in Sections 7.01(h) or (i), or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian, appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment.

Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure ” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the Issuing Bank, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding Letter of Credit obligations other than Letter of Credit obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or cash collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swingline Loans other than Swingline Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or cash collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.

Designated Non-Cash Consideration ” means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Borrowers or a Subsidiary in connection with a Disposition pursuant to Section 6.05(k) that is designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Holdings, setting forth the basis of such valuation (which amount will be reduced by the fair market value of the portion of the non-cash consideration converted to cash within 180 days following the consummation of the applicable Disposition).

Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Discount Range ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Discount Range Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

 

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Discount Range Prepayment Notice ” means a written notice of a Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) substantially in the form of Exhibit M .

Discount Range Prepayment Offer ” means the irrevocable written offer by a Term Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit N , submitted in response to an invitation to submit offers following the Auction Agent’s receipt of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice.

Discount Range Prepayment Response Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Discount Range Proration ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Discounted Prepayment Determination Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Discounted Prepayment Effective Date ” means, in the case of a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment or Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offer, five (5) Business Days following the receipt by each relevant Term Lender of notice from the Auction Agent in accordance with Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B), Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) or Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D), as applicable unless a shorter period is agreed to between a Borrower and the Auction Agent.

Discounted Term Loan Prepayment ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(A).

Disposition ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.05.

Disqualified Equity Interest ” means, with respect to any Person, any Equity Interest in such Person that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable, either mandatorily or at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event or condition:

(a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests), whether pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

(b) is convertible or exchangeable, either mandatorily or at the option of the holder thereof, for Indebtedness or Equity Interests (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests); or

(c) is redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests) or is required to be repurchased by such Person or any of its Affiliates, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder thereof;

in each case, on or prior to the date 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date; provided , however , that (i) an Equity Interest in any Person that would not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest but for terms thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to redeem or purchase such Equity Interest upon the occurrence of an “asset sale” or a “change of control” shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest

 

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if any such requirement becomes operative only after repayment in full of all the Loans and all other Loan Document Obligations that are accrued and payable, the cancellation or expiration of all Letters of Credit and the termination of the Commitments and (ii) if an Equity Interest in any Person is issued pursuant to any plan for the benefit of employees of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any of its subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Equity Interest shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest solely because it may be required to be repurchased by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof) or any of its subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations of such Person.

Disposed EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary for any period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary (determined as if references to the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the definition of the term “Consolidated EBITDA” (and in the component financial definitions used therein) were references to such Sold Entity or Business and its subsidiaries or to Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary and its subsidiaries), all as determined on a consolidated basis for such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary.

dollars ” or “ $ ” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

ECF Percentage ” means, with respect to the prepayment required by Section 2.11(d) with respect to any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, if the Secured Net Leverage Ratio (prior to giving effect to the applicable prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11(d)) as of the end of such fiscal year is (a) greater than 2.00 to 1.00, 75% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year, (b) greater than 1.50 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00, 50% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year (c) greater than 1.00 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00, 25% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year and (d) less than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00, 0% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year.

Effective Date ” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).

Eligible Assignee ” means (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c) an Approved Fund and (d) any other Person (including the Parent Borrower or any of its Affiliates), other than, in each case, (i) a natural person, (ii) a Defaulting Lender and (iii) those Persons identified by Holdings to the Joint Bookrunners prior to the date hereof in writing (including by email) and acknowledged by the Joint Bookrunners as ineligible to be an Eligible Assignee.

EMU Legislation ” means the legislative measures of the European Council for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single or unified European currency.

Environmental Laws ” means the common law and all applicable treaties, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, judgments, orders, decrees and other applicable Requirements of Law, and all applicable injunctions or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority, in each instance relating to the protection of the environment, to preservation or reclamation of natural resources, to Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or to the extent relating to exposure to Hazardous Materials, to health or safety matters.

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, obligation, loss, claim, action, order or cost, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of medical monitoring, costs of environmental remediation or restoration, administrative oversight costs, consultants’ fees, fines, penalties

 

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and indemnities), of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law or permit, license or approval issued thereunder, (b) Environmental Laws and the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Equity Financing ” means the contribution by the Sponsor and the Management Investors, directly or indirectly through one or more direct or indirect holding company parents of Holdings, of cash equity contributions to Holdings on the Effective Date in exchange for Qualified Equity Interests that are treated as equity by S&P and Moody’s.

Equity Interests ” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with Holdings, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

ERISA Event ” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30 day notice period is waived); (b) prior to the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, the existence with respect to any Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) or, on and after the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, in each case whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to, prior to the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA or, on and after the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA, of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) on and after the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at-risk” status (as defined in Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA or Section 430(i)(4) of the Code); (e) the incurrence by the Parent Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (f) the receipt by the Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (g) the incurrence by the Parent Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (h) the receipt by the Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or, on and after the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, in endangered or critical status, within the meaning of Section 305 of ERISA.

euro ” means the single currency of the European Union as constituted by the Treaty on European Union and as referred to in the EMU Legislation.

 

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Eurocurrency ” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

Event of Default ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.

Excess Cash Flow ” means, for any period, an amount equal to the excess of:

(a) the sum, without duplication, of:

(i) Consolidated Net Income for such period,

(ii) an amount equal to the amount of all Non-Cash Charges to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income,

(iii) decreases in Consolidated Working Capital and long-term account receivables for such period,

(iv) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash loss on dispositions by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, and

(v) extraordinary gains; less :

(b) the sum, without duplication, of:

(i) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash credits included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income (including any amounts included in Consolidated Net Income pursuant to the last sentence of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income” to the extent such amounts are due but not received during such period) and cash charges included in clauses (a) through (i) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income” (other than cash charges in respect of Transaction Costs paid on or about the Effective Date to the extent financed with the proceeds of Indebtedness incurred on the Effective Date or an equity investment on the Effective Date),

(ii) without duplication of amounts deducted pursuant to clause (xi) below in prior fiscal years, the amount of Capital Expenditures made in cash or accrued during such period, except to the extent that such Capital Expenditures were financed with the proceeds of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(iii) the aggregate amount of all principal payments of Indebtedness, including (A) the principal component of payments in respect of Capitalized Leases and (B) the amount of any mandatory prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(c) to the extent required due to a disposition that resulted in an increase to Consolidated Net Income and not in excess of the amount of such increase but excluding (X) below par purchases of Term Loans by either Borrower, (Y) all other prepayments of Term Loans and (Z) all prepayments of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans) made during such period (other than in respect of any revolving credit facility to the extent there is an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder), except to the extent financed with the proceeds of other Indebtedness of a Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries,

 

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(iv) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash gain on dispositions by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income,

(v) increases in Consolidated Working Capital and long-term account receivables for such period,

(vi) cash payments by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of long-term liabilities of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries other than Indebtedness,

(vii) without duplication of amounts deducted pursuant to clause (xi) below in prior fiscal years, the amount of Investments and acquisitions made during such period pursuant to Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(a)) to the extent that such Investments and acquisitions were financed with internally generated cash flow of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(viii) the amount of Restricted Payments paid during such period pursuant to Section 6.08(a)(vi) to the extent such Restricted Payments were financed with internally generated cash flow of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and without duplication of amounts deducted when calculating Consolidated Net Income for such period,

(ix) the aggregate amount of expenditures actually made by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in cash during such period (including expenditures for the payment of financing fees) to the extent that such expenditures are not expensed during such period,

(x) the aggregate amount of any premium, make-whole or penalty payments actually paid in cash by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that are required to be made in connection with any prepayment of Indebtedness,

(xi) without duplication of amounts deducted from Excess Cash Flow in prior periods, the aggregate consideration required to be paid in cash by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to binding contracts (the “ Contract Consideration ”) entered into prior to or during such period relating to Permitted Acquisitions, other Investments or Capital Expenditures (including Capitalized Software Expenditures or other purchases of intellectual property) to be consummated or made during the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Parent Borrower following the end of such period; provided that to the extent the aggregate amount of internally generated cash actually utilized to finance such Permitted Acquisitions, Investments or Capital Expenditures during such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters is less than the Contract Consideration, the amount of such shortfall shall be added to the calculation of Excess Cash Flow at the end of such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters,

(xii) the amount of cash taxes paid in such period to the extent they exceed the amount of tax expense deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, and

(xiii) extraordinary losses.

 

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Exchange Act ” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

Excluded Assets ” means (a) any fee-owned real property with a fair market value of less than $5,000,000 and all leasehold interests in real property, (b) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title or ownership, (c) Equity Interests in any Person (other than any wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries) to the extent not permitted by the terms of such Person’s Organizational Documents, (d) letter of credit rights with a value of less than $5,000,000 (except to the extent a security interest therein can be perfected by a UCC filing), (e) commercial tort claims with a value of less than $5,000,000 (except to the extent a security interest therein can be perfected by a UCC filing), (f) any lease, license or other agreement with any Person if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations constitutes a breach of or a default under, or results in the termination of, such lease, license or other agreement (but only to the extent any of the foregoing is not rendered ineffective by, or is otherwise unenforceable under, any Requirements of Law), (g) any asset subject to a Lien of the type permitted by Section 6.02(iv) (whether or not incurred pursuant to such Section) or a Lien permitted by Section 6.02(xi), in each case if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations constitutes a breach of or a default under any agreement pursuant to which such Lien has been created (but only to the extent any of the foregoing is not rendered ineffective by, or is otherwise unenforceable under, any Requirements of Law), (h) any intent-to-use trademark applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, (i) any asset with respect to which the Parent Borrower shall have provided to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that, based on the advice of outside counsel or tax advisors of national recognition, the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations would result in adverse tax consequences to Holdings and the Subsidiaries (other than on account of any Taxes payable in connection with filings, recordings, registrations, stampings and any similar acts in connection with the creation or perfection of Liens) that shall have been determined by the Parent Borrower to be material to the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and (j) any asset if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations is prohibited by any Requirements of Law (other than to the extent that any such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to any other applicable Requirements of Law).

Excluded Subsidiary ” means (a) any Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent Borrower on the Effective Date or, if later, the date it first becomes a Subsidiary, (b) each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.01(a) , (c) any Subsidiary that is prohibited by applicable Law or contractual obligation from guaranteeing the Secured Obligations, (d) any Subsidiary, substantially all of the assets of which constitute Equity Interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Code and (e) any other Subsidiary excused from becoming a Loan Party pursuant to the last paragraph of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Foreign Subsidiary of the Co-Borrower that is a “controlled foreign corporation” with the meaning of Section 957 of the Code); provided that in no event shall the Co-Borrower be an Excluded Subsidiary.

Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (a) Taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income, profits or branch profits (however denominated), and franchise Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), by (i) the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, or (ii) any jurisdiction as a result of a present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than a connection arising solely from such recipient having executed, delivered, or become a party to, performed its obligations or received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, sold or assigned of an interest in, engaged in any other transaction

 

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pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Documents), (b) any withholding Tax that is attributable to a Lender’s failure to comply with Sections 2.17(e), (c) except in the case of an assignee pursuant to a request by a Borrower under Section 2.19 hereto, any U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed due to a Requirement of Law in effect at the time a Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts with respect to such withholding Tax under Section 2.17(a) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed pursuant to FATCA.

Existing LCs ” means the outstanding letters of credit existing as of the Effective Date and listed on Schedule 1.01(b) .

FATCA ” means current Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as in effect on the date hereof (and any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder or official interpretations thereof).

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

Financial Officer ” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Parent Borrower.

Financial Performance Covenant ” means the covenant set forth in Section 6.12.

Financing Transactions ” means (a) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is to be a party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, and (b) the Equity Financing.

First Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” means the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G among the Administrative Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt, with such modifications thereto as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree.

Foreign Collateral Agreement ” means one or more security documents among the applicable Non US Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent granting a Lien on the assets of such Non US Loan Parties to secure the Secured Obligations. Each Foreign Collateral Agreement shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower.

Foreign Pledge Agreement ” means a pledge or charge agreement with respect to the Collateral that constitutes Equity Interests of a Foreign Subsidiary or, if the holder of such Collateral is a Foreign Subsidiary, constitutes Equity Interests of a Domestic Subsidiary. Each Foreign Pledge Agreement shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower.

Foreign Prepayment Event ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(g).

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

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Funded Debt ” means all Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for borrowed money that matures more than one year from the date of its creation or matures within one year from such date that is renewable or extendable, at the option of such Person, to a date more than one year from such date or arises under a revolving credit or similar agreement that obligates the lender or lenders to extend credit during a period of more than one year from such date, including Indebtedness in respect of the Loans.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect on the Effective Date; provided , however , that if the Parent Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Parent Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Parent Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Codification 825, “Financial Instruments”, or any successor thereto (including pursuant to the Accounting Standards Codification), to value any Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein.

Governmental Approvals ” means all authorizations, consents, approvals, permits, licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and reports to, Governmental Authorities.

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Granting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(e).

Guarantee ” of or by any Person (the “ guarantor ”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Effective Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

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Guarantee Agreement ” means the Master Guarantee Agreement among the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit B .

Hazardous Materials ” means all explosive, radioactive, hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum by-products or distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated as hazardous or toxic, or any other term of similar import, pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Holdings ” means (a) prior to any IPO, Initial Holdings and (b) on and after an IPO, (i) if the IPO Entity is Initial Holdings or any Person of which Initial Holdings is a Subsidiary, Initial Holdings or (ii) if the IPO Entity is a Subsidiary of Initial Holdings, the IPO Entity.

Identified Participating Lenders ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Identified Qualifying Lenders ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Incremental Cap ” means, as of any date of determination (a) $25,000,000 plus (b) an additional amount such that after giving effect to the incurrence of any Incremental Term Loans or Additional Notes, the Secured Net Leverage Ratio, on a Pro Forma Basis, would not be greater than 2.25 to 1.00 for the most recent Test Period then ended for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b); provided that in no event shall the aggregate principal amount of Incremental Term Loans and Additional Notes exceed $100,000,000.

Incremental Term Facility Amendment ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20(b)(ii).

Incremental Term Facility Closing Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20(b)(ii).

Incremental Term Loan ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20(a).

Incremental Term Loan Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20(c).

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (i) all obligations,

 

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contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances; provided that the term “Indebtedness” shall not include (i) deferred or prepaid revenue and (ii) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the seller. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (e) above shall (unless such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person) be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (A) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (B) the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith.

Indemnified Taxes ” means all Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b).

Information Memorandum ” means the Confidential Information Memorandum dated June 2011, relating to the Loan Parties and the Transactions.

Initial Holdings ” means SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.

Intellectual Property ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Interest Election Request ” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing or Term Loan Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07.

Interest Payment Date ” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (including a Swingline Loan), the last day of each February, May, August and November and (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter (or, if agreed to by each Lender participating therein, nine or twelve months or such other period less than one month thereafter as such Borrower may elect), provided that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, and (b) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Intermediate Parent ” means any Subsidiary of Holdings of which each of the Parent Borrower and the Co-Borrower are Subsidiaries.

 

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Investment ” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests or debt or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person (excluding, in the case of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, intercompany loans, advances, or Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business) or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another Person or assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person. The amount, as of any date of determination, of (a) any Investment in the form of a loan or an advance shall be the principal amount thereof outstanding on such date, minus any cash payments actually received by such investor representing interest in respect of such Investment (to the extent any such payment to be deducted does not exceed the remaining principal amount of such Investment), but without any adjustment for write-downs or write-offs (including as a result of forgiveness of any portion thereof) with respect to such loan or advance after the date thereof, (b) any Investment in the form of a Guarantee shall be equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof, as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer, (c) any Investment in the form of a transfer of Equity Interests or other non-cash property by the investor to the investee, including any such transfer in the form of a capital contribution, shall be the fair market value (as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer) of such Equity Interests or other property as of the time of the transfer, minus any payments actually received by such investor representing a return of capital of, or dividends or other distributions in respect of, such Investment (to the extent such payments do not exceed, in the aggregate, the original amount of such Investment), but without any other adjustment for increases or decreases in value of, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to, such Investment after the date of such Investment, and (c) any Investment (other than any Investment referred to in clause (a), (b) or (c) above) by the specified Person in the form of a purchase or other acquisition for value of any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities of any other Person shall be the original cost of such Investment (including any Indebtedness assumed in connection therewith), plus (i) the cost of all additions thereto and minus (ii) the amount of any portion of such Investment that has been repaid to the investor in cash as a repayment of principal or a return of capital, and of any cash payments actually received by such investor representing interest, dividends or other distributions in respect of such Investment (to the extent the amounts referred to in clause (ii) do not, in the aggregate, exceed the original cost of such Investment plus the costs of additions thereto), but without any other adjustment for increases or decreases in value of, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to, such Investment after the date of such Investment. For purposes of Section 6.04, if an Investment involves the acquisition of more than one Person, the amount of such Investment shall be allocated among the acquired Persons in accordance with GAAP; provided that pending the final determination of the amounts to be so allocated in accordance with GAAP, such allocation shall be as reasonably determined by a Financial Officer.

Investor ” means a holder of Equity Interests in Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof).

Investor Management Agreement ” means the Transaction and Management Fee Agreement among certain Investors and/or management companies associated with certain Investors and Saleen Acquisition, Inc.

Investor Termination Fees ” means the one-time payment under the Investor Management Agreement of a success fee to one or more of the Investors and their respective Affiliates in the event of either a change of control or the completion of an IPO.

 

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IPO ” means the initial underwritten public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) of common Equity Interests in the IPO Entity.

IPO Entity ” means, at any time at and after an IPO, Initial Holdings, a parent entity of Initial Holdings, or an Intermediate Parent, as the case may be, the Equity Interests of which were issued or otherwise sold pursuant to the IPO; provided that, immediately following the IPO, the Parent Borrower is a wholly-owned subsidiaries of such IPO Entity and such IPO Entity owns, directly or through its subsidiaries, substantially all the businesses and assets owned or conducted, directly or indirectly, by the Parent Borrower immediately prior to the IPO.

Issuing Bank ” means (a) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., (b) UBS AG, Stamford Branch, (c) solely with respect to the Existing LCs, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and (d) each Revolving Lender that shall have become an Issuing Bank hereunder as provided in Section 2.05(k) (other than any Person that shall have ceased to be an Issuing Bank as provided in Section 2.05(l)), each in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder. Each Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

Joint Bookrunners ” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and UBS Securities LLC.

Joint Lead Arrangers ” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and UBS Securities LLC.

Judgment Currency ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.14(b).

Junior Financing ” means any Material Indebtedness (other than any permitted intercompany Indebtedness owing to Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary), including Permitted Holdings Debt, that is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations, and any Permitted Refinancing in respect of any of the foregoing.

Latest Maturity Date ” means, at any date of determination, the latest maturity or expiration date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at such time, including the latest maturity or expiration date of any Other Term Loan, any Other Term Commitment, any Other Revolving Loan or any Other Revolving Commitment, in each case as extended in accordance with this Agreement from time to time.

LC Disbursement ” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

LC Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of all Letters of Credit that remains available for drawing at such time and (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of such Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the International Standby Practices (ISP98), such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided , that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

 

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Lenders ” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, an Incremental Term Facility Amendment or a Refinancing Amendment, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lenders.

Letter of Credit ” means any letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to this Agreement other than any such letter of credit or bank guarantee that shall have ceased to be a “Letter of Credit” outstanding hereunder pursuant to Section 9.05.

Letter of Credit Sublimit ” means $15,000,000.

LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period by reference to the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in such currency (as reflected on the applicable Reuters screen), for a period equal to such Interest Period, or, if an interest rate is not ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average of the rates per annum at which deposits in such currency are offered for such Interest Period to major banks in the London interbank market by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the LIBO Rate in respect of any applicable Interest Period will be deemed to be 1.25% per annum if the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period calculated pursuant to the foregoing provisions would otherwise be less than 1.25% per annum.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

Loan Document Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, any Refinancing Amendment, the Guarantee Agreement, the Collateral Agreement, the other Security Documents, the Trust Agreement and, except for purposes of Section 9.02, any promissory notes delivered pursuant to Section 2.09(e).

Loan Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.

Loan Parties ” means Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

Loans ” means the loans made by the Lenders to any Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

Majority in Interest ”, when used in reference to Lenders of any Class, means, at any time, (a) in the case of the Revolving Lenders, Lenders having Revolving Exposures and unused Revolving

 

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Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the aggregate Revolving Exposures and the unused aggregate Revolving Commitments at such time and (b) in the case of the Term Lenders of any Class, Lenders holding outstanding Term Loans of such Class representing more than 50% of all Term Loans of such Class outstanding at such time; provided that (a) the Revolving Exposures, Term Loans and unused Commitments of the Borrowers or any Affiliate thereof and (b) whenever there are one or more Defaulting Lenders, the total outstanding Term Loans and Revolving Exposures of, and the unused Revolving Commitments of, each Defaulting Lender shall in each case be excluded for purposes of making a determination of the Majority in Interest.

Management Investors ” means the directors, officers and employees of the Target, Holdings, the Parent Borrower and/or any of their Subsidiaries who are (directly or indirectly through one or more investment vehicles) Investors in Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) on the Effective Date.

Material Adverse Effect ” means any event, circumstance or condition that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a materially adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, results of operations, properties, or financial condition of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Parent Borrower and the other Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their payment obligations under the Loan Documents or (c) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Loan Documents.

Material Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness (other than the Loan Document Obligations), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $15,000,000; provided that for purposes of the definition of “Change of Control” and Junior Financing such amount shall be $50,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that Holdings, the Parent Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

Material Subsidiary ” means (a) each wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary that, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower most recently ended, had revenues or total assets for such quarter in excess of 5% of the consolidated revenues or total assets, as applicable, of the Parent Borrower for such quarter and (b) any group comprising wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries that each would not have been a Material Subsidiary under clause (i) but that, taken together, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower most recently ended, had revenues or total assets for such quarter in excess of 10% of the consolidated revenues or total assets, as applicable, of the Parent Borrower for such quarter; provided that solely for purposes of Sections 7.01(h) and (i) each such Subsidiary forming part of such group is subject to an Event of Default under one or more of such Sections.

Monetization ” means the receipt of Net Proceeds by the Target or any of its Affiliates (other than any of its Subsidiaries) from (a) the direct or indirect Disposition or other direct or indirect transfer of all or a portion of Storage Parent or its assets, (b) any direct or indirect dividend, distribution, payment of equity or repurchase of equity or other repayment of a return on investment in Storage Parent or its subsidiaries or (c) any other transaction the substantive effect of which is the same as transactions described in clauses (a) or (b). Any series of related transaction of the type referred to above shall be treated together as a single transaction for purposes of Section 5.15.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

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Mortgage ” means a mortgage, deed of trust, assignment of leases and rents, leasehold mortgage or other security document granting a Lien on any Mortgaged Property to secure the Secured Obligations, provided, however, in the event any Mortgaged Property is located in a jurisdiction which imposes mortgage recording taxes or similar fees, the applicable Mortgage shall not secure an amount in excess of 100% of the fair market value of such Mortgaged Property, as reasonably agreed by the Parent Borrower and agreed to by the Administrative Agent. Each Mortgage shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower with such modifications as may be required by local laws.

Mortgaged Property ” means each parcel of real property and the improvements thereon owned in fee by a Loan Party with respect to which a Mortgage is granted pursuant to Section 5.11 or 5.12.

Multiemployer Plan ” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Net Proceeds ” means, with respect to any event, (a) the proceeds received in respect of such event in cash or Permitted Investments, including (i) any cash or Permitted Investments received in respect of any non cash proceeds (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment or earn-out, but excluding any interest payments), but only as and when received, (ii) in the case of a casualty, insurance proceeds, and (iii) in the case of a condemnation or similar event, condemnation awards and similar payments, minus (b) the sum of (i) all fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid by Holdings, any Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such event (including attorney’s fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, underwriting discounts and commissions, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant, accountant and other customary fees), (ii) in the case of a sale, transfer or other disposition of an asset (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction or a casualty or a condemnation or similar proceeding), (x) the amount of all payments that are permitted hereunder and are made by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such event to repay Indebtedness (other than the Loans) secured by such asset or otherwise subject to mandatory prepayment as a result of such event, (y) the pro rata portion of net cash proceeds thereof (calculated without regard to this clause (y)) attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a result thereof and (z) the amount of any liabilities directly associated with such asset and retained by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) the amount of all Taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable), and the amount of any reserves established by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries to fund contingent liabilities reasonably estimated to be payable, that are directly attributable to such event, provided that any reduction at any time in the amount of any such reserves (other than as a result of payments made in respect thereof) shall be deemed to constitute the receipt by the Parent Borrower at such time of Net Proceeds in the amount of such reduction.

Non-Cash Charges ” means (a) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down related to intangible assets (including goodwill), long-lived assets, and investments in debt and equity securities pursuant to GAAP, (b) all losses from investments recorded using the equity method, (c) all Non-Cash Compensation Expenses, (d) the non-cash impact of acquisition method accounting, (e) non-cash impact of translation of U.S. dollars and (f) other non-cash charges ( provided , in each case, that if any non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period).

 

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Non-Cash Compensation Expense ” means any non-cash expenses and costs that result from the issuance of stock-based awards, partnership interest-based awards and similar incentive based compensation awards or arrangements.

Non-Consenting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(c).

Non-Loan Party Investment Amount ” means, at any time, the sum of the greater of $25,000,000 and 25% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period and (b) the Available Amount that is Not Otherwise Applied.

Not Otherwise Applied ” means, with reference to the Available Amount that was not previously applied pursuant to Sections 6.04(m), 6.08(a)(vii) or 6.08(b)(iv).

Offered Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Offered Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Organizational Documents ” means, with respect to any Person, the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person.

Other Revolving Commitments ” means one or more Classes of revolving credit commitments hereunder or extended Revolving Commitments that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Revolving Loans ” means the Revolving Loans made pursuant to any Other Revolving Commitment.

Other Taxes ” means any and all present or future recording, stamp, documentary, excise, transfer, sales, property or similar Taxes arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document.

Other Term Commitments ” means one or more Classes of term loan commitments hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Term Loans ” means one or more Classes of Term Loans that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Participant ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

Participating Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Pension Act ” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended from time to time.

Perfection Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D .

Permitted Acquisition ” means the purchase or other acquisition, by merger or otherwise, by Holdings or any Subsidiary of Equity Interests in, or all or substantially all the assets of (or all or substantially all the assets constituting a business unit, division, product line or line of business of), any Person; provided that (a) in the case of any purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests in a Person, such

 

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Person, upon the consummation of such acquisition, will be a Subsidiary (including as a result of a merger or consolidation between any Subsidiary and such Person), (b) all transactions related thereto are consummated in accordance with all Requirements of Law, (c) the business of such Person, or such assets, as the case may be, constitute a business permitted by Section 6.03(b), (d) with respect to each such purchase or other acquisition, all actions required to be taken with respect to such newly created or acquired Subsidiary (including each subsidiary thereof) or assets in order to satisfy the requirements set forth in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” to the extent applicable shall have been taken (or arrangements for the taking of such actions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent shall have been made), (e) after giving effect to any such purchase or other acquisition, (A) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (B) the Total Net Leverage Ratio is either (x) less than or equal to 3.5 to 1.0 or (y) equal to or less than such ratio immediately prior to such Permitted Acquisition, in each case on a Pro Forma Basis as of the end of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), and (f) the Parent Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer certifying that all the requirements set forth in this definition have been satisfied with respect to such purchase or other acquisition, together with reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating satisfaction of the requirement set forth in clause (e) above.

Permitted Encumbrances ” means:

(a) Liens for taxes or other governmental charges that are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

(b) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or construction contractors’ Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business that secure amounts not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or, if more than 30 days overdue, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Lien or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP, in each case so long as such Liens do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business (i) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation and (ii) securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(d) Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, governmental contracts and leases, statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations) incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(e) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, protrusions and other similar encumbrances and minor title defects affecting real property that, in the aggregate, do not in any case materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

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(f) Liens securing, or otherwise arising from, judgments not constituting an Event of Default under Section 7.01(j);

(g) Liens on goods the purchase price of which is financed by a documentary letter of credit issued for the account of the Parent Borrower or any of its subsidiaries, provided that such Lien secures only the obligations of the Parent Borrower or such subsidiaries in respect of such letter of credit to the extent such obligations are permitted by Section 6.01; and

(h) Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or any similar filings made in respect of operating leases entered into by the Parent Borrower or any of its subsidiaries;

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness other than Liens referred to in clause (c) above securing obligations under letters of credit or bank guarantees and in clause (g) above.

Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt ” means any secured Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower in the form of one or more series of senior secured notes; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to the control of remedies but on no more than a “second-out” basis so long as the Revolving Commitments are outstanding) with the Loan Document Obligations and is not secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Term Loans (including portions of Classes of Term Loans, Other Term Loans) or outstanding Revolving Loans, (iii) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate (including whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind), rate floors, fees, funding discounts and redemption premium) of Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are, taken as a whole, less favorable to the investors providing such Indebtedness than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (except for covenants or other provisions applicable to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred), (iv) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or payments of principal prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (v) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Security Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (vi) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties and (vii) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt incurred by the Parent Borrower, then the Parent Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Senior Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

Permitted Holder ” means (a) the Sponsor and (b) the Management Investors.

Permitted Investments ” means any of the following, to the extent owned by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary:

(a) dollars, euro or such other currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business; (b) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of (i) the United States or (ii) any member nation of the European Union rated A (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P and

 

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A2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, having average maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States or such member nation of the European Union is pledged in support thereof;

(b) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) is a Lender or (ii) has combined capital and surplus of at least $250,000,000 (any such bank in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) being an “ Approved Bank ”), in each case with average maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof;

(c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by an Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable or fixed rate note issued by, or guaranteed by, a corporation rated A-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, in each case with average maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof;

(d) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with an Approved Bank, a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or recognized securities dealer, in each case, having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of (i) the United States or (ii) any member nation of the European Union rated A (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P and A2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations;

(e) marketable short-term money market and similar highly liquid funds either (i) having assets in excess of $250,000,000 or (ii) having a rating of at least A-2 or P-2 from either S&P or Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating service);

(f) securities with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory having an investment grade rating from either S&P or Moody’s (or the equivalent thereof);

(g) investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in mutual funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s;

(h) instruments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above denominated in euros or any other foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to above and customarily used by corporations for cash management purposes in any jurisdiction outside the United States to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction; and

(i) investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in money market investment programs that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or that are administered by financial institutions having capital of at least $250,000,000, and, in either case, the portfolios of which are limited such that substantially all of such investments are of the character, quality and maturity described in clauses (a) through (i) of this definition.

 

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Permitted Receivables Factoring ” means any one or more transactions or programs (including any factoring program) for the transfer by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on customary market terms for similar transactions, without recourse (other than customary limited recourse) to the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to any buyer, purchaser or lender of interests in accounts receivable and customary related assets, so long as the aggregate outstanding Permitted Receivables Net Investment with respect thereto does not exceed $75,000,000 at any time.

Permitted Receivables Net Investment ” the aggregate cash amount paid by the purchasers under any Permitted Receivables Factoring in connection with their purchase of accounts receivable and customary related assets or interests therein, as the same may be reduced from time to time by collections with respect to such accounts receivable and related assets or otherwise in accordance with the terms of such Permitted Receivables Factoring (but excluding any such collections used to make payments of commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges incurred in connection with any Permitted Receivables Factoring which are payable to any person other than the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary).

Permitted Refinancing ” means, with respect to any Person, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Indebtedness of such Person; provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) thereof does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon plus other amounts paid, and fees and expenses incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, (b) other than with respect to a Permitted Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(v), Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension has a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (c) immediately after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (d) if the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations, Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, and (d) if the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(ii), (a)(xx), (a)(xxi) or (a)(xxii), (i) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate (including whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind) and redemption premium) of Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are not, taken as a whole, materially less favorable to the Loan Parties or the Lenders than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended; provided that a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five Business Days prior to such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such resulting Indebtedness or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Parent Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement, shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies the Parent Borrower within such five Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonable description of the basis upon which it disagrees), and (ii) the primary obligor in respect of, and the Persons (if any) that Guarantee, Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are the primary obligor in respect of, and Persons (if any) that Guaranteed, respectively, the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that a Permitted Refinancing may constitute a portion of an issuance of Indebtedness in excess of the amount of such Permitted Refinancing; provided that such excess amount is otherwise permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01.

 

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Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt ” means secured Indebtedness incurred by the Parent Borrower in the form of one or more series of second lien secured notes or second lien secured loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a second lien, subordinated basis to the Secured Obligations and the obligations in respect of any Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt and is not secured by any property or assets of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the Collateral; (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Term Loans (including portions of Classes of Term Loans or Other Term Loans) or outstanding Revolving Loans, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or payments of principal prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Security Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (v) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate (including whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind), rate floors, fees, funding discounts and redemption premium) of Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are, taken as a whole, less favorable to the investors providing such Indebtedness than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (except for covenants of other provisions applicable to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred), (vi) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties and (vii) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt incurred by the Parent Borrower, then the Parent Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Senior Representatives for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt ” means unsecured Indebtedness incurred by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party in the form of one or more series of senior unsecured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Term Loans (including portions of Classes of Term Loans or Other Term Loans) or outstanding Revolving Loans, (ii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or payments of principal prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate (including whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind), rate floors, fees, funding discounts and redemption premium) of Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are, taken as a whole, less favorable to investors providing such Indebtedness than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (except for covenants of other provisions applicable to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred), (v) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than Loan Parties, and (vi) such Indebtedness is not secured by any Lien on any property or assets of Holdings, Intermediate Parent, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary. Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

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Post-Transaction Period ” means, with respect to any Specified Transaction, the period beginning on the date such Specified Transaction is consummated and ending on the last day of the fourth full consecutive fiscal quarter immediately following the date on which such Specified Transaction is consummated.

Prepayment Event ” means:

(a) any sale, transfer or other disposition (including (x) pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction, (y) by way of merger or consolidation and (z) any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of) of any property or asset of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted by Section 6.05(k) other than dispositions resulting in aggregate Net Proceeds not exceeding (A) $5,000,000 in the case of any single transaction or series of related transactions and (B) $10,000,000 for all such transactions during any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower; or

(b) the incurrence by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 (other than Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt, Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt, Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt and Other Term Loans) or permitted by the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 9.02.

Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.

Principal Issuing Bank ” means, on any date, (a) the Issuing Bank, if there is only one Issuing Bank and (b) otherwise, (i) the Issuing Bank with the greatest LC Exposure on such date and (ii) each other Issuing Bank that has issued Letters of Credit that on such date have available for drawing thereunder (together with the aggregate unreimbursed LC Disbursement, thereunder on such date) of greater than $1,000,000.

Pro Forma Adjustment ” means, for any Test Period that includes all or any part of a fiscal quarter included in any Post-Transaction Period with respect to the Acquired EBITDA of the applicable Pro Forma Entity or the Consolidated EBITDA of the Parent Borrower, the pro forma increase or decrease in such Acquired EBITDA or such Consolidated EBITDA, as the case may be, projected by the Parent Borrower in good faith as a result of (a) actions taken, prior to or during such Post-Transaction Period, for the purposes of realizing reasonably identifiable and quantifiable cost savings, or (b) any additional costs incurred prior to or during such Post-Transaction Period in connection with the combination of the operations of such Pro Forma Entity with the operations of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that (A) so long as such actions are taken prior to or during such Post-Transaction Period or such costs are incurred prior to or during such Post-Transaction Period, it may be assumed, for purposes of projecting such pro forma increase or decrease to such Acquired EBITDA or such Consolidated EBITDA, as the case may be, that such cost savings will be realizable during the entirety of such Test Period, or such additional costs will be incurred during the entirety of such Test Period, (B) any such pro forma increase or decrease to such Acquired EBITDA or such Consolidated EBITDA, as the case may be, shall be without duplication for cost savings or additional costs already included in such Acquired EBITDA or such Consolidated EBITDA, as the case may be, for such test period and (C) the aggregate amount of costs savings increased pursuant to clause (a) shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA for any Test Period.

 

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Pro Forma Basis ”, “ Pro Forma Compliance ” and “ Pro Forma Effect ” means, with respect to compliance with any test or covenant hereunder required by the terms of this Agreement to be made on a Pro Forma Basis, that (a) to the extent applicable, the Pro Forma Adjustment shall have been made and (b) all Specified Transactions and the following transactions in connection therewith shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the applicable period of measurement in such test or covenant: (i) income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property or Person subject to such Specified Transaction, (A) in the case of a Disposition of all or substantially all Equity Interests in any subsidiary of Holdings or any division, product line, or facility used for operations of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, shall be excluded, and (B) in the case of a Permitted Acquisition or Investment described in the definition of “Specified Transaction”, shall be included, (ii) any retirement of Indebtedness, and (iii) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection therewith and if such Indebtedness has a floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the rate that is or would be in effect with respect to such Indebtedness as at the relevant date of determination; provided that, without limiting the application of the Pro Forma Adjustment pursuant to clause (a) above, the foregoing pro forma adjustments may be applied to any such test or covenant solely to the extent that such adjustments are consistent with the definition of Consolidated EBITDA and give effect to operating expense reductions that are (i) (x) directly attributable to such transaction, (y) expected to have a continuing impact on Holdings, the Parent Borrower and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (z) factually supportable or (ii) otherwise consistent with the definition of Pro Forma Adjustment, provided further that (1) any determination of Pro Forma Compliance required at any time prior to November 26, 2011, shall be made assuming that compliance with Section 6.12 for the Test Period ending on November 26, 2011, is required with respect to the most recent Test Period prior to such time and (2) all pro forma adjustments made pursuant to this definition (including all Pro Forma Adjustments) with respect to the Transactions shall be consistent in character and amount with the adjustments reflected in the Pro Forma Financial Statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, clause (b) of Consolidated Total Net Debt shall not be decreased by the cash proceeds of any Indebtedness incurred for which Pro Forma Effect is being given.

Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment ” means, for any four quarter period that includes all or a portion of a fiscal quarter included in any Post-Transaction Period with respect to any Sold Entity or Business, the pro forma increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA projected by the Parent Borrower in good faith as a result of contractual arrangements between the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary entered into with such Sold Entity or Business at the time of its disposal or within the Post-Transaction Period and which represent an increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA which is incremental to the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business for the most recent four-quarter period prior to its disposal.

Pro Forma Financial Statements ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.04(c).

Proposed Change ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(c).

Qualified Equity Interests ” means Equity Interests of Holdings other than Disqualified Equity Interests.

Qualifying Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

 

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Quotation Day ” means, with respect to dollars or euro for any Interest Period, two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period unless market practice differs in the London interbank market for any such currency, in which case the Quotation Day for such currency shall be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with market practice in the London interbank market (and if quotations would normally be given by leading banks in the London interbank market on more than one day, the Quotation Day shall be the last of those days).

Refinanced Debt ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness”.

Refinancing Amendment ” means an amendment to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower executed by each of (a) the Borrowers and Holdings, (b) the Administrative Agent and (c) each Additional Lender and Lender that agrees to provide any portion of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness being incurred pursuant thereto, in accordance with Section 2.21.

Refinancing Transaction ” means the satisfaction and discharge of the Target’s floating rate notes due 2012.

Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Registered Equivalent Notes ” means, with respect to any notes originally issued in a Rule 144A or other private placement transaction under the Securities Act of 1933, substantially identical notes (having the same Guarantees) issued in a dollar-for-dollar exchange therefor pursuant to an exchange offer registered with the SEC.

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, trustees, agents, controlling persons, advisors and other representatives of such Person and of each of such Person’s Affiliates and permitted successors and assigns.

Release ” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) and including the environment within any building, or any occupied structure, facility or fixture.

Repricing Transaction ” means the prepayment or refinancing of all or a portion of the Term Loans with the incurrence by any Loan Party of any long-term bank debt financing incurred for the primary purpose of repaying, refinancing, substituting or replacing the Term Loans and having an effective interest cost or weighted average yield (as determined by the Administrative Agent consistent with generally accepted financial practice and, in any event, excluding any arrangement or commitment fees in connection therewith) that is less than the interest rate for or weighted average yield (as determined by the Administrative Agent on the same basis) of the Term Loans, including without limitation, as may be effected through any amendment to this Agreement relating to the interest rate for, or weighted average yield of, the Term Loans.

Required Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Exposures, Term Loans and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments) representing more than 50% of the aggregate Revolving Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments) at such time; provided that (a) the Revolving Exposures, Term Loans and unused Commitments of the Borrowers or any Affiliate thereof and (b) whenever there are one or more

 

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Defaulting Lenders, the total outstanding Term Loans and Revolving Exposures of, and the unused Revolving Commitments of, each Defaulting Lender shall in each case be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

Requirements of Law ” means, with respect to any Person, any statutes, laws, treaties, rules, regulations, orders, decrees, writs, injunctions or determinations of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Responsible Officer ” means the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer, or other similar officer, manager or a director of a Loan Party and with respect to certain limited liability companies or partnerships that do not have officers, any manager, sole member, managing member or general partner thereof, and as to any document delivered on the Effective Date or thereafter pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”, any secretary or assistant secretary of a Loan Party. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any other Restricted Subsidiary or any Intermediate Parent, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests in Holdings, any Intermediate Parent the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Revolving Availability Period ” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments.

Revolving Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum possible aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to (i) assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or (ii) a Refinancing Amendment. The initial amount of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 , or in the Assignment and Assumption or Refinancing Amendment pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment, as the case may be. The initial amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Commitments as of the Effective Date is $50,000,000 (the “ Initial Revolving Commitments ”).

Revolving Exposure ” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure at such time.

Revolving Lender ” means a Lender with a Revolving Commitment or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Exposure.

 

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Revolving Loan ” means a Loan made pursuant to clause (b) of Section 2.01.

Revolving Maturity Date ” means August 26, 2016.

Rolled Equity ” means the Equity Interests in Holdings (or a holding company parent thereof) issued to the Management Investors pursuant to the Equity Financing; provided that, after giving effect to the Transactions on the Effective Date, the Rolled Equity will represent no more than 10% of the equity capitalization of Holdings (or such holding company parent) excluding any portion of the Equity Financing contributed to Storage Parent.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” means the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H among the Administrative Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt, with such modifications thereto as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree.

Secured Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Secured Net Leverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Secured Net Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period as of such date.

Security Documents ” means the Collateral Agreement, the Foreign Collateral Agreements, the Foreign Pledge Agreements, the Mortgages and each other security agreement or pledge agreement executed and delivered pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, Section 5.11, 5.12 or Section 5.14 to secure any of the Secured Obligations.

Senior Representative ” means, with respect to any series of Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt or Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under the indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained, as the case may be, and each of their successors in such capacities.

Silver Lake Debt Fund ” means Silver Lake Credit Fund, L.P. and any other successor or similar debt investment fund managed by Silver Lake Financial Management Company, L.L.C.

Solicited Discount Proration ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice ” means an irrevocable written notice of a Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) substantially in the form of Exhibit O .

 

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Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer ” means the irrevocable written offer by each Term Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit P , submitted following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice.

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Specified Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Specified Discount Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Specified Discount Prepayment Notice ” means an irrevocable written notice of a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment made pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B) substantially in the form of Exhibit K .

Specified Discount Prepayment Response ” means the irrevocable written response by each Term Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit L , to a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice.

Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Specified Discount Proration ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Specified Representations ” means the following: (a) the representations made by the Target in the Acquisition Agreement as are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that Holdings has the right to terminate its obligations under the Acquisition Agreement as a result of a breach of such representations in the Acquisition Agreement, and (b) the representations set forth in (i) Section 3.01, Section 3.02 (with respect to authorization, execution, delivery and performance and enforceability of the Loan Documents), Section 3.08, Section 3.15 and Section 3.16 and (ii) Section 3.02 of the Collateral Agreement.

Specified Transaction ” means, with respect to any period, any investment, sale, transfer or other disposition of assets, incurrence or repayment of indebtedness, restricted payment, subsidiary designation or other event that by the terms of the Loan Documents requires “Pro Forma Compliance” with a test or covenant hereunder or requires such test or covenant to be calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis”.

Sponsor ” means Silver Lake Partners and its Affiliates.

SPV ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(e).

Statutory Reserve Rate ” means, with respect to any currency, a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve, liquid asset or similar percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by any Governmental Authority of the United States or of the jurisdiction of such currency or any jurisdiction in which Loans in such currency are made to which banks in such jurisdiction are subject for any category of deposits or liabilities customarily used to fund loans in such currency or by reference to which interest rates applicable to Loans in such currency are determined. Such reserve, liquid asset or similar percentages shall

 

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include those imposed pursuant to Regulation D of the Board of Governors, and if any Lender is required to comply with the requirements of The Bank of England and/or the Financial Services Authority (or any authority that replaces any of the functions thereof) or the requirements of the European Central Bank. Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to be subject to such reserve, liquid asset or similar requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under Regulation D or any other applicable law, rule or regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

Storage Business ” means the Target’s business unit that designs, manufactures and distributes high performance solid state drives.

Storage Investment ” means Investments in Storage Parent or any of its subsidiaries (including indirectly by means of a Restricted Payment to Target) by Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $30,000,000 at any time.

Storage Parent ” means SMART Modular Technologies (Global Storage Holdings), Inc.

Submitted Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Submitted Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means any Junior Financing other than any Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Indebtedness.

subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Parent Borrower.

Subsidiary Loan Party ” means each other Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower (other than the Co-Borrower) that is a party to the Guarantee Agreement.

Successor Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03(a)(iv).

Successor Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03(a)(v).

Swap Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement or contract involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or the other Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

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Swingline Commitment ” means the commitment of each Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans.

Swingline Exposure ” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time.

Swingline Lender ” means (a) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder and (b) each Revolving Lender that shall have become a Swingline Lender hereunder as provided in Section 2.04(d) (other than any Person that shall have ceased to be a Swingline Lender as provided in Section 2.04(e)), each in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

Swingline Loan ” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.04.

Swingline Sublimit ” means $10,000,000.

Target ” means Smart Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company.

Target Material Adverse Effect ” means any change, effect, event or occurrence that (A) has a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition or results of operations of the Target and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or (B) prevents or materially delays the Target from performing its obligations under the Acquisition Agreement in any material respect; provided , however , that no change, effect, event or occurrence to the extent arising or resulting from any of the following, either alone or in combination, shall constitute or be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Target Material Adverse Effect: (i) (A) general economic, financial, political, capital market, credit market, or financial market conditions or (B) general conditions affecting any of the industries in which the Target and its subsidiaries operate; (ii) Changes in Law or changes in GAAP or accounting standards, in either case, occurring after April 26, 2011; (iii) any natural disasters, pandemics or acts of war (whether or not declared), sabotage or terrorism, or an escalation or worsening thereof; (iv) the entry into, announcement or performance of the Acquisition Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including compliance with the covenants set forth herein (other than Section 5.1(a) of the Acquisition Agreement), and the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, distributors, partners, employees or regulators, or any shareholder litigation arising from allegations of breach of fiduciary duty relating to the Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement, except that this clause (iv) shall not apply with respect to the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.4 of the Acquisition Agreement (v) any changes in the price or trading volume of the Common Stock (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement) ( provided that the underlying change, effect, event or occurrence that caused or contributed to such change in market price or trading volume shall not be excluded); (vi) any failure by the Target to meet projections or forecasts ( provided that the underlying change, effect, event or occurrence that caused or contributed to such failure to meet projections or forecasts shall not be excluded); and (vii) any change or prospective change in the Target’s credit rating ( provided that the underlying change, effect, event or occurrence that caused or contributed to such change or prospective change in the Target’s credit rating shall not be excluded); provided , further , however , that the change, effect, event or occurrence referred to in the preceding clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) shall be excluded pursuant to such clause only to the extent such change, effect, event or occurrence does not adversely affect the Target and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, disproportionately to other companies operating in the industries in which the Target and its subsidiaries compete (in which case the incremental disproportionate impact or impacts may be taken into account in determining whether there has been, or is reasonably likely to be, a Target Material Adverse Effect).

 

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Taxes ” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.

Term Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make a Term Loan hereunder on the Effective Date, expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal amount of the Term Loan to be made by such Lender hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. The initial amount of each Lender’s Term Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Term Commitment, as the case may be.

Term Lender ” means a Lender with a Term Commitment or an outstanding Term Loan.

Term Loan Standstill Period ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01(d).

Term Loans ” means Loans made pursuant to clause (a) of Section 2.01.

Term Maturity Date ” means August 26, 2017.

Test Period ” means, at any date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Parent Borrower then last ended.

Total Net Leverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Net Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period as of such date.

Transaction Costs ” means all fees, costs and expense incurred or payable by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions.

Transactions ” means (a) the Financing Transactions, (b) the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Documents, (c) the Refinancing Transactions and (d) the payment of the Transaction Costs.

Trust Agreement ” means any English law trust agreement to be entered into in connection with a Foreign Collateral Agreement, between, inter alia , the Administrative Agent and the relevant Loan Parties.

Type ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

UCC ” or “ Uniform Commercial Code ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided , however , that, at any time, if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in any item or portion of the Pledged Collateral (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a U.S. jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect, at such time, in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions relating to such provisions.

 

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Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary (other than the Co-Borrower) designated by the Parent Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 5.16 subsequent to the Effective Date.

USA Patriot Act ” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended from time to time.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

wholly-owned subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person at any date, a subsidiary of such Person of which securities or other ownership interests representing 100% of the Equity Interests (other than (a) directors’ qualifying shares and (b) nominal shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Requirements of Law) are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held by such Person or one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of such Person.

Withdrawal Liability ” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings . For purposes of this Agreement, Loans and Borrowings may be classified and referred to by Class ( e.g ., a “ Revolving Loan ”) or by Type ( e.g ., a “Eurocurrency Loan”) or by Class and Type ( e.g ., a “ Eurocurrency Revolving Loan ”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class ( e.g ., a “ Revolving Borrowing ”) or by Type ( e.g ., a “Eurocurrency Borrowing”) or by Class and Type ( e.g ., a “ Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing ”).

SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise, (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement (including this Agreement and the other Loan Documents), instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignment set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

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SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time.

SECTION 1.05. Effectuation of Transactions . All references herein to Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be references to such Persons, and all the representations and warranties of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the other Loan Parties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be deemed made, in each case, after giving effect to the Acquisition and the other Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, unless the context otherwise requires.

SECTION 1.06. Currency Translation . Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of any determination under Article V, Article VI (other than Section 6.12) or Article VII or any determination under any other provision of this Agreement expressly requiring the use of a current exchange rate, all amounts incurred, outstanding or proposed to be incurred or outstanding in currencies other than dollars shall be translated into dollars at currency exchange rates in effect on the date of such determination; provided , however , that for purposes of determining compliance with Article VI with respect to the amount of any Indebtedness, Investment, Disposition or Restricted Payment in a currency other than dollars, no Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred solely as a result of changes in rates of exchange occurring after the time such Indebtedness or Investment is incurred or Disposition or Restricted Payment made; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.06 shall otherwise apply to such Sections, including with respect to determining whether any Indebtedness or Investment may be incurred or Disposition or Restricted Payment made at any time under such Sections. For purposes of Section 6.12 and Section 4.02, amounts in currencies other than dollars shall be translated into dollars at the currency exchange rates used in preparing the most recently delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b).

ARTICLE II

THE CREDITS

SECTION 2.01. Commitments . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (a) each Term Lender agrees to make a Term Loan to the Borrowers on the Effective Date denominated in dollars in a principal amount not exceeding its Term Commitment and (b) each Revolving Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrowers denominated in dollars from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount which will not result in such Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided that no Revolving Loans shall be made on the Effective Date unless, after giving effect to the Transactions on the Effective Date, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries would have at least $75,000,000 of (x) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on hand and (y) unused Revolving Commitments (consistent with the calculation of such under Section 2.12(a)). Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans. Amounts repaid or prepaid in respect of Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings .

(a) Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be

 

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made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder, provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and other than as expressly provided herein with respect to a Defaulting Lender, no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required hereby.

(b) Subject to Section 2.14, each Revolving Borrowing and Term Loan Borrowing denominated in dollars shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as a Borrower may request in accordance herewith; provided that all Borrowings made on the Effective Date must be made as ABR Borrowings unless such Borrower shall have given the notice required for a Eurocurrency Borrowing under Section 2.03 and provided an indemnity letter extending the benefits of Section 2.16 to Lenders in respect of such Borrowings. Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of such Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum; provided that a Eurocurrency Borrowing that results from a continuation of an outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to such outstanding Borrowing. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of 12 Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding.

SECTION 2.03. Requests for Borrowings . To request a Revolving Borrowing or Term Loan Borrowing, the applicable Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing (or, in the case of any Eurocurrency Borrowing to be made on the Effective Date, such shorter period of time as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(f) may be given not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or facsimile to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by the applicable Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information:

(i) whether the requested Borrowing is to be a Revolving Borrowing, a Term Loan Borrowing or a Borrowing of any other Class (specifying the Class thereof);

(ii) the aggregate amount of such Borrowing;

(iii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iv) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing (solely in the case of a Borrowing denominated in dollars) or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

(v) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”;

 

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(vi) the location and number of the such Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.06, or, in the case of any ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan requested to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f), the identity of the Issuing Bank that made such LC Disbursement; and

(vii) that as of the date of such Borrowing, the conditions set forth in Sections 4.02(a) and 4.02(b) are satisfied.

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified as to any Borrowing, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing, then such Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the applicable Class of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

SECTION 2.04. Swingline Loans .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein (including Section 2.22), in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrowers from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period denominated in dollars in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) subject to Section 9.04(b)(ii), the Applicable Fronting Exposure of any Swingline Lender exceeding its Revolving Commitment, (ii) the aggregate Revolving Exposures exceeding the aggregate Revolving Commitments or (iii) the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans outstanding exceeding Swingline Sublimit; provided that the Swingline Lender shall be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.

(b) To request a Swingline Loan, the Parent Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender of such request (i) by telephone (confirmed in writing) or by facsimile (confirmed by telephone), not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, or, if agreed by the Swingline Lender, 2:00 p.m. New York City time on the day of such proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day), the amount of the requested Swingline Loan and (x) if the funds are not to be credited to a general deposit account of such Borrower maintained with the Swingline Lender because such Borrower is unable to maintain a general deposit account with the Swingline Lender under applicable Requirements of Law, the location and number of such Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with Section 2.06, or (y) in the case of any ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan requested to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f), the identity of the Issuing Bank that made such LC Disbursement. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to such Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit accounts of such Borrower maintained with the Swingline Lender for the Swingline Loan (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f), by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.

(c) The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Revolving Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Revolving

 

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Lender, specifying in such notice the Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Swingline Loans. Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Swingline Loans. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or any reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders pursuant to this paragraph), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrowers (or other Person on behalf of the Borrowers) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted by the Swingline Lender to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, and thereafter to the Borrowers, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrowers for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrowers of any default in the payment thereof.

(d) The Parent Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, designate as additional Swingline Lenders one or more Revolving Lenders that agree to serve in such capacity as provided below. The acceptance by a Revolving Lender of an appointment as a Swingline Lender hereunder shall be evidenced by an agreement, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, executed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and such designated Swingline Lender, and, from and after the effective date of such agreement, (i) such Revolving Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement and (ii) references herein to the term “Swingline Lender” shall be deemed to include such Revolving Lender in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

(e) The Parent Borrower may terminate the appointment of any Swingline Lender as a “Swingline Lender” hereunder by providing a written notice thereof to such Swingline Lender, with a copy to the Administrative Agent. Any such termination shall become effective upon the earlier of (i) such Swingline Lender’s acknowledging receipt of such notice and (ii) the fifth Business Day following the date of the delivery thereof; provided that no such termination shall become effective until and unless the Swingline Exposure of such Swingline Lender shall have been reduced to zero. Notwithstanding the effectiveness of any such termination, the terminated Swingline Lender shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans made by it prior to such termination, but shall not make any additional Swingline Loans.

SECTION 2.05. Letters of Credit and Bank Guarantees .

(a) General . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein (including Section 2.22), each Issuing Bank agrees, in reliance upon agreement of the Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.05, to issue Letters of Credit denominated in dollars for its own account (or for the account of

 

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any other Subsidiary so long as a Borrower and such other Subsidiary are co-applicants in respect of such Letter of Credit), in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank, which shall reflect the standard operating procedures of such Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period and prior to the fifth Business Day prior to the Revolving Maturity Date. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit or bank guarantee application or other agreement submitted by the Parent Borrower to, or entered into by the Parent Borrower with, the applicable Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

(b) Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions . To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), a Borrower shall deliver in writing by hand delivery or facsimile (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the recipient) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (at least five Business Days before the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension or such shorter period as the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent may agree) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (d) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, such Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, (i) subject to Section 9.04(b)(ii), the Applicable Fronting Exposure of each Issuing Bank shall not exceed its Revolving Commitment, (ii) the aggregate Revolving Exposures shall not exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (iii) the aggregate LC Exposure shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. No Issuing Bank shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if (i) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall enjoin or restrain such Issuing Bank from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to such Issuing Bank any directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Bank shall prohibit the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such Issuing Bank with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon such Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which such Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it, (ii) except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the such Issuing Bank, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $100,000, in the case of a commercial Letter of Credit, or $500,000, in the case of a standby Letter of Credit or (iii) any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, if after giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv), any Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure remains outstanding, unless such Issuing Bank has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of cash collateral, reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank with such Borrower or such Lender to eliminate such Issuing Bank’s Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or such Letter of Credit and all other LC Exposure as to which such Issuing Bank has Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure.

(c) Notice . Each Issuing Bank agrees that it shall not permit any issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit to occur unless it shall have given to the Administrative Agent written notice thereof required under paragraph (m) of this Section.

 

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(d) Expiration Date . Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date that is one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date; provided that if such expiry date is not a Business Day, such Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to close of business on the next succeeding Business Day; provided , however , that any Letter of Credit may, upon the request of a Borrower, include a provision whereby such Letter of Credit shall be renewed automatically for additional consecutive periods of one year or less (but not beyond the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date) unless the applicable Issuing Bank notifies the beneficiary thereof within the time period specified in such Letter of Credit or, if no such time period is specified, at least 30 days prior to the then-applicable expiration date, that such Letter of Credit will not be renewed.

(e) Participations . By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank that is the issuer thereof or the Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Issuing Bank, such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrowers on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section in the currency of such LC Disbursement, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrowers for any reason. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or any reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(f) Reimbursement . If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrowers receive notice of such LC Disbursement; provided that, if such LC Disbursement is not less than $1,000,000, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.04 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or a Swingline Loan, in each case in an equivalent amount, and, to the extent so financed, the Borrowers’ obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If the Borrowers fail to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrowers in respect thereof and such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrowers, in dollars and in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders pursuant to this paragraph), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrowers pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Revolving Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse any Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

 

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(g) Obligations Absolute . The Borrowers’, jointly and severally, obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section is absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by an Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrowers’ obligations hereunder. None of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or any of their Affiliates shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Banks; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrowers to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrowers that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of any Issuing Bank (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, nonappealable judgment), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, an Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit, and any such acceptance or refusal shall be deemed not to constitute gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

(h) Disbursement Procedures . Each Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. Each Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower by telephone (confirmed by hand delivery or facsimile) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement in accordance with paragraph (f) of this Section.

(i) Interim Interest . If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrowers reimburse such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to in the case of an LC Disbursement denominated in dollars, ABR Revolving Loans; provided that, if the Borrowers fail to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to

 

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paragraph (f) of this Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment and shall be payable on demand or, if no demand has been made, on the date on which the Borrowers reimburse the applicable LC Disbursement in full.

(j) Cash Collateralization . If any Event of Default under paragraph (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Section 7.01 shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day on which the Parent Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing more than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure of all Revolving Lenders) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrowers shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders, an amount of cash in dollars equal to the portions of the LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit, as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrowers described in paragraph (h) or (i) of Section 7.01. The Borrowers also shall deposit cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph as and to the extent required by Section 2.11(b). Each such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, if any Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure remains outstanding (after giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv)), then promptly upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, the Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent cash collateral in an amount sufficient to cover such Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to any cash collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent in Permitted Investments and at the Borrowers risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Banks for LC Disbursements for which they have not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrowers for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing more than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure of all the Revolving Lenders), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents. If the Borrowers are required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default or the existence of a Defaulting Lender, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrowers within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived or after the termination of Defaulting Lender status, as applicable. If the Borrowers are required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.11(b), such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower as and to the extent that, after giving effect to such return, the Borrowers would remain in compliance with Section 2.11(b) and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(k) Designation of Additional Issuing Banks . The Parent Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, designate as additional Issuing Banks one or more Revolving Lenders that agree to serve in such capacity as provided below. The acceptance by a Revolving Lender of an appointment as an Issuing Bank hereunder shall be evidenced by an agreement, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, executed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and such designated Revolving Lender and, from and after the effective date of such

 

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agreement, (i) such Revolving Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to include such Revolving Lender in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.

(l) Termination of an Issuing Bank . The Parent Borrower may terminate the appointment of any Issuing Bank as an “Issuing Bank” hereunder by providing a written notice thereof to such Issuing Bank, with a copy to the Administrative Agent. Any such termination shall become effective upon the earlier of (i) such Issuing Bank’s acknowledging receipt of such notice and (ii) the fifth Business Day following the date of the delivery thereof; provided that no such termination shall become effective until and unless the LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (or its Affiliates) shall have been reduced to zero. At the time any such termination shall become effective, the Parent Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the terminated Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). Notwithstanding the effectiveness of any such termination, the terminated Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such termination, but shall not issue any additional Letters of Credit.

(m) Issuing Bank Reports to the Administrative Agent . Unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank shall, in addition to its notification obligations set forth elsewhere in this Section, report in writing to the Administrative Agent (i) periodic activity (for such period or recurrent periods as shall be requested by the Administrative Agent) in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, including all issuances, extensions, amendments and renewals, all expirations and cancellations and all disbursements and reimbursements, (ii) within five Business Days following the time that such Issuing Bank issues, amends, renews or extends any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, and the currency and face amount of the Letters of Credit issued, amended, renewed or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (and whether the amounts thereof shall have changed), (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any LC Disbursement, the date, currency and amount of such LC Disbursement, (iv) on any Business Day on which a Borrower fails to reimburse an LC Disbursement required to be reimbursed to such Issuing Bank on such day, the date of such failure and amount of such LC Disbursement and (v) on any other Business Day, such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request as to the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank.

(n) Existing LCs . The Existing LCs will be deemed to be Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement on the Effective Date.

SECTION 2.06. Funding of Borrowings .

(a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds in the applicable currency by 12:00 noon, New York City time, to the Applicable Account of the Administrative Agent most-recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.04. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrowers by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrowers maintained with the Administrative Agent in New York City and designated by the Borrowers in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to Section 2.05(f) to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.

 

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(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance on such assumption and in its sole discretion, make available to a Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such share on demand of the Administrative Agent. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon demand of the Administrative Agent therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Borrower, and the applicable Borrower agrees to pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand. The Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover from such Lender or applicable Borrower interest on such corresponding amount, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the applicable Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, if such Borrowing is denominated in dollars, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, the rate reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be its cost of funding such amount, or (ii) in the case of such Borrower, the interest rate applicable to such Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.13. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

(c) Obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Term Loans and Revolving Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 9.03(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 9.03(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 9.03(c).

SECTION 2.07. Interest Elections .

(a) Each Revolving Borrowing and Term Loan Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request or designated by Section 2.03 and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request or designated by Section 2.03. Thereafter, each Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. Each Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply to Swingline Loans, which may not be converted or continued.

(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the applicable Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Revolving Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if such Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, facsimile or other electronic transmission to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by the applicable Borrower.

 

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(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.03:

(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing (solely in the case of a Borrowing denominated in dollars) or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is to be a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the applicable Class of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e) If such Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies such Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing.

SECTION 2.08. Termination and Reduction of Commitments .

(a) Unless previously terminated, (i) the Term Commitments shall terminate at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Effective Date and (ii) the Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Maturity Date.

(b) Each Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments of any Class; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000 and (ii) each Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, the aggregate Revolving Exposures would exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments.

(c) Each Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least one Business Day prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by such Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments delivered by such Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the receipt of the proceeds

 

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from the issuance of other Indebtedness or the occurrence of some other identifiable event or condition, in which case such notice may be revoked by such Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date of termination) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.

SECTION 2.09. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

(a) Each Borrower, jointly and severally, hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan of such Lender on the Revolving Maturity Date, (ii) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Term Loan of such Lender as provided in Section 2.10 and (iii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan made by the Swingline Lender on the earlier to occur of (A) the date that is 10 Business Days after such Loan is made and (B) the Revolving Maturity Date; provided that on each date that a Revolving Borrowing in any currency is made, such Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans in such currency that were outstanding on the date such Borrowing was requested.

(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrowers to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the currency and amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein, provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrowers to pay any amounts due hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the entries made pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section, the accounts maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall control.

(e) Any Lender may request through the Administrative Agent that Loans of any Class made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrowers shall execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form provided by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Borrowers.

SECTION 2.10. Amortization of Term Loans .

(a) Subject to adjustment pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, the Borrowers shall repay Term Loan Borrowings on the dates and in the amounts set forth on Annex I, together in each case with accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be paid to but excluding the date of such payment; provided that if any such date is not a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next preceding Business Day.

 

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(b) To the extent not previously paid, all Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Term Maturity Date.

(c) Any prepayment of a Term Loan Borrowing of any Class (i) pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(i) shall be applied to reduce the subsequent scheduled and outstanding repayments of the Term Loan Borrowings of such Class to be made pursuant to this Section as directed by the Borrowers (and absent such direction in direct order of maturity) and (ii) pursuant to Section 2.11(c) or 2.11(d) shall be applied to reduce the subsequent scheduled and outstanding repayments of the Term Loan Borrowings of such Class to be made pursuant to this Section, or, except as otherwise provided in any Refinancing Amendment, pursuant to the corresponding section of such Refinancing Amendment, in direct order of maturity.

(d) Prior to any repayment of any Term Loan Borrowings of any Class hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings of the applicable Class to be repaid and shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by hand delivery or facsimile) of such election not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, two Business Day before the scheduled date of such repayment. In the absence of a designation by the Borrowers as described in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall make such designation in its reasonable discretion with a view, but no obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing under Section 2.16. Each repayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the repaid Borrowing. Repayments of Term Loan Borrowings shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount repaid.

SECTION 2.11. Prepayment of Loans .

(a) (i) The Borrowers shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to the requirements of this Section; provided that in the event that (A) on or prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, the Borrowers (x) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with a Change in Control or prepay Term Loans with the proceeds of Indebtedness, (y) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with any Repricing Transaction, or (z) effect any amendment of this Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the applicable Term Lender, (I) in the case of clause (A)(x), a prepayment premium of 3% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid, (II) in the case of clause (A)(y), a prepayment premium of 3% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid and (III) in the case of clause (A)(z), a payment equal to 3% of the aggregate amount of the applicable Term Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment; (B) at anytime after the first anniversary of the Effective Date and on or prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date, the Borrowers (x) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with a Change in Control or prepay Term Loans with the proceeds of Indebtedness, (y) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with any Repricing Transaction, or (z) effect any amendment of this Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the applicable Term Lender, (I) in the case of clause (B)(x), a prepayment premium of 2% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid, (II) in the case of clause (B)(y), a prepayment premium of 2% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid and (III) in the case of clause (B)(z), a payment equal to 2% of the aggregate amount of the applicable Term Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment; or (C) at anytime after the second anniversary of the Effective Date and on or prior to the third anniversary of the Effective Date, the Borrowers (x) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with a Change in Control or prepay Term Loans with the proceeds of Indebtedness, (y) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with any Repricing Transaction, or (z) effect any amendment of this Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the applicable Term Lender, (I) in the case of clause (C)(x), a prepayment premium of 1% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid, (II) in the case of clause (C)(y), a prepayment premium of 1% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid and (III) in the case of clause (C)(z), a payment equal to 1% of the aggregate amount of the applicable Term Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment;

 

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(ii) Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a Borrower may prepay the outstanding Term Loans on the following basis:

(A) Each Borrower shall have the right to make a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a discount to par (such prepayment, the “ Discounted Term Loan Prepayment ”) pursuant to a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment, Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers or Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, in each case made in accordance with this Section 2.11(a)(ii); provided that (x) the Borrowers shall not make any Borrowing of Revolving Loans to fund any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and (y) the Borrowers shall not initiate any action under this Section 2.11(a)(ii) in order to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment unless (I) at least ten (10) Business Days shall have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Term Loan Prepayment as a result of a prepayment made by the Borrowers on the applicable Discounted Prepayment Effective Date; or (II) at least three (3) Business Days shall have passed since the date the Parent Borrower was notified that no Term Lender was willing to accept any prepayment of any Term Loan and/or Other Term Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, the date of the Borrower’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

(B) (1) Subject to the proviso to subsection (A) above, a Borrower may from time to time offer to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment by providing the Auction Agent with three (3) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such offer shall be made available, at the sole discretion of the Borrower, to each Term Lender and/or each Lender with respect to any Class of Term Loans on an individual tranche basis, (II) any such offer shall specify the aggregate principal amount offered to be prepaid (the “ Specified Discount Prepayment Amount ”) with respect to each applicable tranche, the tranche or tranches of Term Loans subject to such offer and the specific percentage discount to par (the “ Specified Discount ”) of such Term Loans to be prepaid (it being understood that different Specified Discounts and/or Specified Discount Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Term Loans and, in such an event, each such offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $1,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such offer shall remain outstanding through the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each relevant Term Lender with a copy of such Specified Discount Prepayment Notice and a form of the Specified Discount Prepayment Response to be completed and returned by each such Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Term Lenders (the “ Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date ”).

(2) Each relevant Term Lender receiving such offer shall notify the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date whether or not it agrees to accept a prepayment of any of its relevant then outstanding Term Loans at the Specified Discount and, if so (such accepting Term Lender, a “ Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender ”), the amount and the tranches of such Lender’s Term Loans to be prepaid at such offered discount. Each acceptance of a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment by a Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender shall be irrevocable. Any Term Lender whose Specified Discount Prepayment Response is not

 

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received by the Auction Agent by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept the applicable Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment.

(3) If there is at least one Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender, the Borrower will make prepayment of outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this paragraph (B) to each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender in accordance with the respective outstanding amount and tranches of Term Loans specified in such Lender’s Specified Discount Prepayment Response given pursuant to subsection (2); provided that, if the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans accepted for prepayment by all Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders exceeds the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount, such prepayment shall be made pro-rata among the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts accepted to be prepaid by each such Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Specified Discount Proration ”). The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within three (3) Business Days following the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date, notify (I) the Parent Borrower of the respective Term Lenders’ responses to such offer, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Term Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, and the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of Term Loans to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date and (III) each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender of the Specified Discount Proration, if any, and confirmation of the principal amount, tranche and Type of Loans of such Lender to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Parent Borrower shall be due and payable by the Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (F) below (subject to subsection (J) below).

(C) (1) Subject to the proviso to subsection (A) above, a Borrower may from time to time solicit Discount Range Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with three (3) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of the Borrower, to each Term Lender and/or each Lender with respect to any Class of Loans on an individual tranche basis, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate principal amount of the relevant Term Loans (the “ Discount Range Prepayment Amount ”), the tranche or tranches of Term Loans subject to such offer and the maximum and minimum percentage discounts to par (the “ Discount Range ”) of the principal amount of such Term Loans with respect to each relevant tranche of Term Loans willing to be prepaid by a Borrower (it being understood that different Discount Ranges and/or Discount Range Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Term Loans and, in such an event, each such offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $1,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each relevant Term Lender with a copy of such Discount Range Prepayment Notice and a form of the Discount Range Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding relevant Term Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Term Lenders (the “ Discount Range Prepayment Response Date ”). Each relevant Term Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer shall be irrevocable and shall specify a discount to par within the Discount Range (the “ Submitted Discount ”) at which

 

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such Term Lender is willing to allow prepayment of any or all of its then outstanding Term Loans of the applicable tranche or tranches and the maximum aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender’s Term Loans (the “ Submitted Amount ”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Submitted Discount. Any Term Lender whose Discount Range Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment of any of its Term Loans at any discount to their par value within the Discount Range.

(2) The Auction Agent shall review all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received on or before the applicable Discount Range Prepayment Response Date and shall determine (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the Applicable Discount and Term Loans to be prepaid at such Applicable Discount in accordance with this subsection (C). The Borrowers agree to accept on the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, in the order from the Submitted Discount that is the largest discount to par to the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par, up to and including the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range (such Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range being referred to as the “ Applicable Discount ”) which yields a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment in an aggregate principal amount equal to the lower of (I) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount and (II) the sum of all Submitted Amounts. Each Lender that has submitted a Discount Range Prepayment Offer to accept prepayment at a discount to par that is larger than or equal to the Applicable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Term Loans equal to its Submitted Amount (subject to any required proration pursuant to the following subsection (3)) at the Applicable Discount (each such Lender, a “ Participating Lender ”).

(3) If there is at least one Participating Lender, the Borrower will prepay the respective outstanding Term Loans of each Participating Lender in the aggregate principal amount and of the tranches specified in such Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer at the Applicable Discount; provided that if the Submitted Amount by all Participating Lenders offered at a discount to par greater than the Applicable Discount exceeds the Discounted Range Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the relevant Term Loans for those Participating Lenders whose Submitted Discount is a discount to par greater than or equal to the Applicable Discount (the “ Identified Participating Lenders ”) shall be made pro-rata among the Identified Participating Lenders in accordance with the Submitted Amount of each such Identified Participating Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Discount Range Proration ”). The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within five (5) Business Days following the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, notify (I) the Borrower of the respective Term Lenders’ responses to such solicitation, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Term Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount and tranches of Term Loans to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (III) each Participating Lender of the aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, and (z) if applicable, each Identified Participating Lender of the Discount Range Proration. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the applicable Borrower shall be due and payable by such Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (F) below (subject to subsection (J) below).

 

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(D) (1) Subject to the proviso to subsection (A) above, the Borrowers may from time to time solicit Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with three (3) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of the Borrower, to each Term Lender and/or each Lender with respect to any Class of Term Loans on an individual tranche basis, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate dollar amount of the Term Loans (the “ Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount ”) and the tranche or tranches of Term Loans the applicable Borrower is willing to prepay at a discount (it being understood that different Solicited Discount Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Term Loans and, in such an event, each such offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $1,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such solicitation by such Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each relevant Term Lender with a copy of such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice and a form of the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding Term Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Term Lenders (the “ Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date ”). Each Term Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer shall (x) be irrevocable, (y) remain outstanding until the Acceptance Date, and (z) specify both a discount to par (the “ Offered Discount ”) at which such Term Lender is willing to allow prepayment of its then outstanding Term Loan and the maximum aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Term Loans (the “ Offered Amount ”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Offered Discount. Any Term Lender whose Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined prepayment of any of its Term Loans at any discount.

(2) The Auction Agent shall promptly provide the Parent Borrower with a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received on or before the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date. The Parent Borrower shall review all such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers and select the largest of the Offered Discounts specified by the relevant responding Term Lenders in the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers that is acceptable to the Borrower (the “ Acceptable Discount ”), if any. If the Parent Borrower elects to accept any Offered Discount as the Acceptable Discount, then as soon as practicable after the determination of the Acceptable Discount, but in no event later than by the third Business Day after the date of receipt by the Parent Borrower from the Auction Agent of a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers pursuant to the first sentence of this subsection (2) (the “ Acceptance Date ”), the Parent Borrower shall submit a Acceptance and Prepayment Notice to the Auction Agent setting forth the Acceptable Discount. If the Auction Agent shall fail to receive an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice from the Parent Borrower by the Acceptance Date, the Parent Borrower shall be deemed to have rejected all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

(3) Based upon the Acceptable Discount and the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, within three (3) Business Days after receipt of an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice (the “ Discounted Prepayment Determination Date ”), the Auction Agent will determine (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of Term Loans (the “ Acceptable

 

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Prepayment Amount ”) to be prepaid by the Borrower at the Acceptable Discount in accordance with this Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D). If the Borrower elects to accept any Acceptable Discount, then the Borrower agrees to accept all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, in the order from largest Offered Discount to smallest Offered Discount, up to and including the Acceptable Discount. Each Lender that has submitted a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer with an Offered Discount that is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Term Loans equal to its Offered Amount (subject to any required pro-rata reduction pursuant to the following sentence) at the Acceptable Discount (each such Lender, a “ Qualifying Lender ”). The Borrower will prepay outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this subsection (D) to each Qualifying Lender in the aggregate principal amount and of the tranches specified in such Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer at the Acceptable Discount; provided that if the aggregate Offered Amount by all Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount exceeds the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the Term Loans for those Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount (the “ Identified Qualifying Lenders ”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Qualifying Lenders in accordance with the Offered Amount of each such Identified Qualifying Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with the Parent Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Solicited Discount Proration ”). On or prior to the Discounted Prepayment Determination Date, the Auction Agent shall promptly notify (I) the Parent Borrower of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and Acceptable Prepayment Amount comprising the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Term Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Acceptable Discount, and the Acceptable Prepayment Amount of all Term Loans and the tranches to be prepaid to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (III) each Qualifying Lender of the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Acceptable Discount on such date, and (IV) if applicable, each Identified Qualifying Lender of the Solicited Discount Proration. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to such Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to such Borrower shall be due and payable by such Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (F) below (subject to subsection (J) below).

(E) In connection with any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment, the Borrower and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Auction Agent may require as a condition to any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment, the payment of customary fees and expenses from the Borrower in connection therewith.

(F) If any Term Loan is prepaid in accordance with paragraphs (B) through (D) above, such Borrower shall prepay such Term Loans on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date. Such Borrower shall make such prepayment to the Auction Agent, for the account of the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in immediately available funds not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and all such prepayments shall be applied to the remaining principal installments of the relevant tranche of Term Loans on a pro rata basis across such installments. The Term Loans so prepaid shall be accompanied by all accrued and unpaid interest on the par principal amount so prepaid up to, but not including, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date. Each prepayment of the outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.11(a)(ii) shall be paid to the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable. The aggregate principal

 

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amount of the tranches and installments of the relevant Term Loans outstanding shall be deemed reduced by the full par value of the aggregate principal amount of the tranches of Term Loans prepaid on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment.

(G) To the extent not expressly provided for herein, each Discounted Term Loan Prepayment shall be consummated pursuant to procedures consistent, with the provisions in this Section 2.11(a)(ii), established by the Auction Agent acting in its reasonable discretion and as reasonably agreed by such Borrower.

(H) Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, for purposes of this Section 2.11(a)(ii), each notice or other communication required to be delivered or otherwise provided to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) shall be deemed to have been given upon Auction Agent’s (or its delegate’s) actual receipt during normal business hours of such notice or communication; provided that any notice or communication actually received outside of normal business hours shall be deemed to have been given as of the opening of business on the next Business Day.

(I) Each of the Borrowers and the Lenders acknowledges and agrees that the Auction Agent may perform any and all of its duties under this Section 2.11(a)(ii) by itself or through any Affiliate of the Auction Agent and expressly consents to any such delegation of duties by the Auction Agent to such Affiliate and the performance of such delegated duties by such Affiliate. The exculpatory provisions pursuant to this Agreement shall apply to each Affiliate of the Auction Agent and its respective activities in connection with any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment provided for in this Section 2.11(a)(ii) as well as activities of the Auction Agent.

(J) Each Borrower shall have the right, by written notice to the Auction Agent, to revoke in full (but not in part) its offer to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and rescind the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Notice, Discount Range Prepayment Notice or Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice therefor at its discretion at any time on or prior to the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date (and if such offer is revoked pursuant to the preceding clauses, any failure by such Borrower to make any prepayment to a Term Lender, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 2.11(a)(ii) shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 7.01 or otherwise).

(b) In the event and on each occasion that the aggregate Revolving Exposures exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Borrowers shall prepay Revolving Borrowings or Swingline Loans (or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding, deposit cash collateral in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.05(j)) in an aggregate amount necessary to eliminate such excess.

(c) In the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds are received by or on behalf of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Prepayment Event, the Parent Borrower shall, within three Business Days after such Net Proceeds are received (or, in the case of a Prepayment Event described in clause (b) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event”, on the date of such Prepayment Event), prepay Term Loan Borrowings in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the amount of such Net Proceeds; provided that, in the case of any event described in clause (a) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event”, if the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries invest (or commit to invest) the Net Proceeds from such event (or a portion thereof) within 12 months after receipt of such Net Proceeds in the business of the Parent Borrower and the other Subsidiaries (including any acquisitions permitted under Section 6.04), then no prepayment shall be required pursuant to this paragraph in respect of such Net Proceeds in respect of such event (or the applicable portion of such Net Proceeds, if applicable) except to the extent of any such Net Proceeds therefrom that have not been so invested (or committed to be invested) by the end of such 12-month period (or if committed to be so invested within

 

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such 12-month period, have not been so invested within 18 months after receipt thereof), at which time a prepayment shall be required in an amount equal to such Net Proceeds that have not been so invested (or committed to be invested).

(d) Following the end of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, commencing with the fiscal year ending August 31, 2012, the Borrowers shall prepay Term Loan Borrowings in an aggregate amount equal to the ECF Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year; provided that such amount shall be reduced by the aggregate amount of prepayments of Term Loans (and, to the extent the Revolving Commitments are reduced in a corresponding amount pursuant to Section 2.08, Revolving Loans) made pursuant to Section 2.11(a) during such fiscal year (excluding all such prepayments funded with the proceeds of other Indebtedness, the issuance of Equity Interests or receipt of capital contributions or the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of assets outside the ordinary course of business). Each prepayment pursuant to this paragraph shall be made on or before the date that is five days after the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 with respect to the fiscal year for which Excess Cash Flow is being calculated.

(e) Prior to any optional or mandatory prepayment of Borrowings hereunder, the Borrowers shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings to be prepaid and shall specify such selection in the notice of such prepayment pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section. In the event of any mandatory prepayment of Term Loan Borrowings made at a time when Term Loan Borrowings of more than one Class remain outstanding, the Borrowers shall select Term Loan Borrowings to be prepaid so that the aggregate amount of such prepayment is allocated between Term Loan Borrowings (and, to the extent provided in the Refinancing Amendment for any Class of Other Term Loans, the Borrowings of such Class) pro rata based on the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Borrowings of each such Class; provided that any Term Lender (and, to the extent provided in the Refinancing Amendment for any Class of Other Term Loans, any Lender that holds Other Term Loans of such Class) may elect, by notice to the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by facsimile) at least one Business Day prior to the prepayment date, to decline all or any portion of any prepayment of its Term Loans or Other Term Loans of any such Class pursuant to this Section (other than an optional prepayment pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section, which may not be declined), in which case the aggregate amount of the prepayment that would have been applied to prepay Term Loans or Other Term Loans of any such Class but was so declined shall be retained by the Borrowers. Optional prepayments of Term Loan Borrowings shall be allocated among the Classes of Term Loan Borrowings as directed by the Borrowers. In the absence of a designation by the Borrowers as described in the preceding provisions of this paragraph of the Type of Borrowing of any Class, the Administrative Agent shall make such designation in its reasonable discretion with a view, but no obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing under Section 2.16.

(f) The Borrowers shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by facsimile) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, in the case of a mandatory prepayment, a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment; provided that a notice of optional prepayment may state that such notice is conditional upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the receipt of the proceeds from the issuance of other Indebtedness or the occurrence of some other identifiable event or condition, in which case such notice of prepayment may be revoked by the Borrowers (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified date of prepayment) if such condition is not satisfied. Promptly following receipt of any such notice (other than a notice relating solely to Swingline Loans), the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment

 

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of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02, except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13. At the Borrowers’ election in connection with any prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.11, such prepayment shall not be applied to any Term Loan or Revolving Loan of a Defaulting Lender and shall be allocated ratably among the relevant non-Defaulting Lenders.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of Section 2.11(c) or (d), (A) to the extent that any of or all the Net Proceeds of any Prepayment Event by a Foreign Subsidiary giving rise to a prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11(c) or (d) (a “ Foreign Prepayment Event ”) or Excess Cash Flow are prohibited or delayed by applicable local law from being repatriated to either Borrower, the portion of such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected will not be required to be applied to repay Term Loans at the times provided in Section 2.11(c) or (d), as the case may be, and such amounts may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law will not permit repatriation to either Borrower (Borrowers hereby agreeing to cause the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to promptly take all actions reasonably required by the applicable local law to permit such repatriation), and once such repatriation of any of such affected Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow is permitted under the applicable local law, such repatriation will be promptly effected and such repatriated Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow will be promptly (and in any event not later than three Business Days after such repatriation) applied (net of additional taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) to the repayment of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(c) or (d), as applicable, and (B) to the extent that the Borrower has determined in good faith that repatriation of any of or all the Net Proceeds of any Foreign Prepayment Event or Excess Cash Flow would have a material adverse tax consequence (taking into account any foreign tax credit or benefit actually realized in connection with such repatriation) with respect to such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow, the Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary; provided that in the case of this clause (B), on or before the date on which any Net Proceeds from any Foreign Prepayment Event so retained would otherwise have been required to be applied to reinvestments or prepayments pursuant to Section 2.11(c) (or, in the case of Excess Cash Flow, a date on or before the date that is twelve months after the date such Excess Cash Flow would have so required to be applied to prepayments pursuant to Section 2.11(d) unless previously repatriated in which case such repatriated Excess Cash Flow shall have been promptly applied to the repayment of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(c)), (x) the Borrower applies an amount equal to such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow to such reinvestments or prepayments as if such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow had been received by the Borrower rather than such Foreign Subsidiary, less the amount of additional taxes that would have been payable or reserved against if such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow had been repatriated (or, if less, the Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow that would be calculated if received by such Foreign Subsidiary) or (y) such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow shall be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary.

SECTION 2.12. Fees .

(a) Each Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent in dollars for the account of each Revolving Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.50% per annum on the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the third Business Day following the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). For purposes of computing commitment fees, a

 

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Revolving Commitment of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure of such Lender (and the Swingline Exposure of such Lender shall be disregarded for such purpose).

(b) Each Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent in dollars for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurocurrency Revolving Loans on the daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank in dollars a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the third Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date, provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to an Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

(c) The Borrowers agree to pay on the Effective Date to each Term Lender party to this Agreement on the Effective Date, as fee compensation for the funding of such Term Lender’s Term Loan, a closing fee (the “ Term Closing Fee ”) in an amount equal to 3.50% of the stated principal amount of such Term Lender’s Term Loan, payable to such Term Lender from the proceeds of its Term Loans as and when funded on the Effective Date. The Borrowers agree to pay on the Effective Date to each Revolving Lender party to this Agreement on the Effective Date, as fee compensation for the funding of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment, a closing fee (the “ Revolving Closing Fee ”) in an amount equal to 1.00% of the stated principal amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment, payable to such Revolving Lender on the Effective Date. Such Term Closing Fee and Revolving Closing Fee will be in all respects fully earned, due and payable on the Effective Date and non-refundable and non-creditable thereafter.

(d) The Parent Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(e) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to an Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Revolving Lenders entitled thereto. Fees paid hereunder shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to Section 2.22, no Borrower shall be obligated to pay any amounts to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Section 2.12.

 

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SECTION 2.13. Interest .

(a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrowers hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2.00% per annum plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2.00% per annum plus the rate applicable to ABR Revolving Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section; provided that no amount shall be payable pursuant to this Section 2.13(c) to a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender; provided further that no amounts shall accrue pursuant to this Section 2.13(c) on any overdue amount, reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement or other amount payable to a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender.

(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Revolving Commitments, provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Revolving Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.14. Alternate Rate of Interest . If at least two Business Days prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:

(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or

(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period,

the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Parent Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or facsimile as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Parent Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as,

 

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a Eurocurrency Borrowing and shall be ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing, then such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing; provided , however , that, in each case, the Parent Borrower may revoke any Borrowing Request that is pending when such notice is received.

SECTION 2.15. Increased Costs .

(a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or any Issuing Bank (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate); or

(ii) impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or issue any Letter of Credit) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then, from time to time upon request of such Lender or Issuing Bank, the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such increased costs actually incurred or reduction actually suffered, provided that to the extent any such costs or reductions are incurred by any Lender as a result of any requests, rules, guidelines or directives enacted or promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act after the Effective Date, then such Lender shall be compensated pursuant to this Section 2.15(a) only to the extent such Lender is imposing such charges on similarly situated borrowers under the other syndicated credit facilities that such Lender is a lender under. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this paragraph will not apply to any such increased costs or reductions resulting from Taxes, as to which Section 2.17 shall govern.

(b) If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then, from time to time upon request of such Lender or Issuing Bank, the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction actually suffered.

(c) A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company in reasonable detail, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section delivered to the Borrowers shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 15 days after receipt thereof.

 

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(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrowers of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

SECTION 2.16. Break Funding Payments . In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Revolving Loan or Term Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(f) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.19 or Section 9.02(c), then, in any such event, the Borrowers shall, after receipt of a written request by any Lender affected by any such event (which request shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount), compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrowers to the Lenders under this Section 2.16, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurocurrency Loan made by it at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurocurrency Loan was in fact so funded. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section delivered to the Borrowers shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 15 days after receipt of such demand. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 2.16 will not apply to losses, costs or expenses resulting from Taxes, as to which Section 2.17 shall govern.

SECTION 2.17. Taxes .

(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Taxes, provided that if the applicable withholding agent shall be required by applicable Requirements of Law to deduct any Taxes from such payments, then (i) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions, (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law and (iii) if the Tax in question is an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax, the amount payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after all required deductions have been made (including deductions applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent or Lender (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made.

(b) Without limiting the provisions of paragraph (a) above, the Parent Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Requirements of Law.

(c) Each Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, within 30 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and any Other Taxes (including Indemnified

 

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Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation of the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrowers by a Lender or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, the Parent Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Each Lender shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable Requirements of Law and such other documentation reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent (i) as will permit such payments to be made without, or at a reduced rate of, withholding or (ii) as will enable the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to withholding or information reporting requirements. Each Lender shall, whenever a lapse or time or change in circumstances renders such documentation obsolete, expired or inaccurate in any material respect, deliver promptly to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent updated or other appropriate documentation (including any new documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) or promptly notify the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its inability to do so. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no Lender or Participant shall be required to deliver any form of certificate that it is not legally able to deliver.

Without limiting the foregoing:

(1) Each Lender that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(3) of the Code shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding.

(2) Each Lender that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(3) of the Code shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of a Borrower or the Administrative Agent) whichever of the following is applicable:

(A) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or any successor forms) claiming eligibility for the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, and such other documentation as required under the Code,

(B) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or any successor forms),

(C) in the case of a Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) two properly

 

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completed and duly signed certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit R-1 , R-2 , R-3 and R-4 , as applicable, (any such certificate, a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or any successor forms),

(D) to the extent a Lender is not the beneficial owner (for example, where the Lender is a partnership or a participating Lender), two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY (or any successor forms) of the Lender, accompanied by a Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN, U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, Form W-9, Form W-8IMY or any other required information (or any successor forms) from each beneficial owner that would be required under this Section 2.17(e) if such beneficial owner were a Lender, as applicable ( provided that, if the Lender is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and not a participating Lender) and one or more beneficial owners are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, the U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate may be provided by such Lender on behalf of such beneficial owner), or

(E) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of any other form prescribed by applicable U.S. federal income tax laws as a basis for claiming a complete exemption from, or a reduction in, U.S. federal withholding tax on any payments to such Lender under the Loan Documents.

(3) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA, such Lender shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by a Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law and such additional documentation reasonably requested by a Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA and, if necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this clause (e), a Lender shall no be required to deliver any form or other documentation that such Lender is not legally eligible to deliver.

(f) If the Parent Borrower determines in good faith that a reasonable basis exists for contesting any Taxes for which indemnification has been demanded hereunder, the Administrative Agent or the relevant Lender, as applicable, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Parent Borrower in a reasonable challenge of such Taxes if so requested by the Parent Borrower; provided that (a) the Administrative Agent or such Lender determines in its reasonable discretion that it would not be subject to any unreimbursed third party cost or expense or otherwise be prejudiced by cooperating in such challenge, (b) the Parent Borrower pays all related expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable and (c) the Parent Borrower indemnifies the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, for any liabilities or other costs incurred by such party in connection with such challenge. The Administrative Agent or a Lender shall claim any refund that it determines is reasonably available to it, unless it concludes in its reasonable discretion that it would be adversely affected by making such a claim. If the Administrative Agent or a Lender receives a refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Parent Borrower or with respect to which the Parent Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay over such refund to the Parent Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Parent Borrower under this

 

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Section with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of the Administrative Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Parent Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees promptly to repay the amount paid over to the Parent Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. The Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, shall, at the Parent Borrower’s request, provide the Parent Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence of the requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant taxing authority ( provided that the Administrative Agent or such Lender may delete any information therein that the Administrative Agent or such Lender deems confidential). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to Taxes which it deems confidential to any Loan Party or any other Person).

(g) The agreements in this Section 2.17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

(h) For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” shall include any Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender.

SECTION 2.18. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs .

(a) Each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it under any Loan Document (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to the time expressly required hereunder or under such other Loan Document for such payment (or, if no such time is expressly required, prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time), on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without setoff or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to such account as may be specified by the Administrative Agent, except payments to be made directly to any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender shall be made as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto and payments pursuant to other Loan Documents shall be made to the Persons specified therein. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment (other than payments on the Eurocurrency Loans) under any Loan Document shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment on a Eurocurrency Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate for the period of such extension. All payments or prepayments of any Loan shall be made in the currency in which such Loan is denominated, all reimbursements of any LC Disbursements shall be made in dollars, all payments of accrued interest payable on a Loan or LC Disbursement shall be made in dollars, and all other payments under each Loan Document shall be made in dollars.

(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder,

 

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ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans, Term Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans, Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans, Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans, Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by such Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from existence of a Defaulting Lender), (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant or (C) any disproportionate payment obtained by a Lender of any Class as a result of the extension by Lenders of the maturity date or expiration date of some but not all Loans or Revolving Commitments of that Class or any increase in the Applicable Rate in respect of Loans of Lenders that have consented to any such extension. The Borrowers consent to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrowers rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrowers in the amount of such participation.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption and in its sole discretion, distribute to the Lenders or Issuing Banks, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or Issuing Banks, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(c), 2.05(e) or 2.05(f), 2.06(a) or (b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion and in the order determined by the Administrative Agent (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Section until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and to be applied to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section.

 

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SECTION 2.19. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .

(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrowers are required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17 or any event that gives rise to the operation of Section 2.23, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or its participation in any Letter of Credit affected by such event, or to assign and delegate its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment and delegation (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or mitigate the applicability of Section 2.23, as the case may be, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense reasonably deemed by such Lender to be material and would not be inconsistent with the internal policies of, or otherwise be disadvantageous in any material economic, legal or regulatory respect to, such Lender.

(b) If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15 or gives notice under Section 2.23, (ii) the Borrowers are required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or to any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or (iii) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment and delegation), provided that (A) the Borrowers shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent to the extent such consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable (and if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned and delegated, each Principal Issuing Bank and each Swingline Lender), which consents, in each case, shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (B) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and unreimbursed participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued but unpaid interest thereon, accrued but unpaid fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts), (C) the Borrowers or such assignee shall have paid (unless waived) to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b)(ii) and (D) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15, payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17 or a notice given under Section 2.23, such assignment will result in a material reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise (including as a result of any action taken by such Lender under paragraph (a) above), the circumstances entitling the Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Each party hereto agrees that an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and that the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto.

SECTION 2.20. Increased Term Loans .

(a) At any time and from time to time after the Effective Date, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Parent Borrower may, by notice to the Administrative Agent (whereupon the Administrative Agent shall promptly make available to each of the Lenders), request to effect one or more additional tranches of term loans hereunder or increases in the aggregate amount of the Term Loans which may take the form of an additional tranche of term loans hereunder (each such increase, an “ Incremental Term Loan ”) from one or more the Additional Lenders; provided that at the time of each such request and upon the effectiveness of each Incremental Term Facility Amendment, (A) no Event of Default

 

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shall have occurred and be continuing or shall result therefrom, (B) the maturity date of any Incremental Term Loans shall not be earlier than the Term Maturity Date and the weighted average life to maturity of the Incremental Term Loans shall not be shorter than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Term Loans, (C) the interest rate margins, rate floors, fees, premiums, funding discounts and, subject to clause (B), the amortization schedule for any Incremental Term Loans shall be determined by the Borrowers and the applicable Additional Lenders, in the event that the yield on any Incremental Term Loans is higher than the yield for the Term Loans by more than 50 basis points, then the yield for the Term Loans shall be increased to the extent necessary so that such yield is equal to the yield for such Incremental Term Loans minus 50 basis points; provided, further, that, in determining the yield applicable to the Incremental Term Loans and the Term Loans (x) original issue discount (“OID”) or upfront fees (which shall be deemed to constitute like amounts of OID) payable by the Borrowers to the Term Lenders or any Additional Lenders in the initial primary syndication thereof shall be included (with OID being equated to interest based on assumed four-year life to maturity), (y) customary arrangement or commitment fees payable to any of the Joint Bookrunners (or their respective affiliates) in connection with this Agreement or to one or more arrangers (or their affiliates) of any Incremental Term Loan shall be excluded and (z) if the Incremental Term Loans include an interest rate floor greater than the interest rate floor applicable to the Term Loans, such increased amount shall be equated to interest margin for purposes of determining whether an increase to the applicable interest margin for the Term Loans shall be required, to the extent an increase in the interest rate floor in the Term Loans would cause an increase in the interest rate then in effect, and in such case the interest rate floor (but not the interest rate margin) applicable to the Term Loans shall be increased by such increased amount, (D) the Incremental Term Loans shall be secured solely by the Collateral on an equal and ratable basis (or a junior basis, subject to a Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement), including a second-out position relative to the Revolving Commitments and related obligations, (E) any Incremental Term Facility Amendment shall be on the terms and pursuant to documentation to be determined by the Parent Borrower and the Additional Lenders and (F) such Incremental Term Loans may be provided in any currency as mutually agreed among the Administrative Agent, the Parent Borrower and the applicable Additional Lenders; provided that to the extent such terms and documentation are not consistent with this Agreement (except to the extent permitted by clause (B), (C) or (F)), they shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding anything to contrary herein, the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Incremental Term Loans, and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all Additional Notes issued after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(xxii) shall not exceed the Incremental Cap at such time. Each Incremental Term Loan shall be in a minimum principal amount of $10,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; provided that such amount may be less than $10,000,000 if such amount represents all the remaining availability under the aggregate principal amount of Incremental Term Loans set forth above.

(b) (i) Each notice from a Borrower pursuant to this Section shall set forth the requested amount of the relevant Incremental Term Loans.

(ii) Commitments in respect of any Incremental Term Loans shall become Commitments under this Agreement pursuant to an amendment (an “ Incremental Term Facility Amendment ”) to this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents executed by each Borrower, such Additional Lender and the Administrative Agent. Incremental Term Loans may be provided, subject to the prior written consent of the Parent Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld), by any existing Lender (it being understood that no existing Lender shall have any right to participate in any Incremental Term Loans or, unless it agrees, be obligated to provide any Incremental Term Loans) or by any Additional Lender. An Incremental Term Facility Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to any Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section. The effectiveness of any Incremental Term Facility Amendment shall, unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent and the

 

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Additional Term Lenders, be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof (each, an “ Incremental Term Facility Closing Date ”) of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (it being understood that all references to “the date of such Borrowing” in Section 4.02 shall be deemed to refer to the Incremental Term Facility Closing Date) and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of legal opinions, board resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date under Section 4.01 (other than changes to such legal opinions resulting from a change in law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent).

(c) Upon each Incremental Term Loan pursuant to this Section, each Additional Term Lender (each, an “ Incremental Term Loan Lender ”) shall make an additional term loan to the Borrower in a principal amount equal to such Lender’s Incremental Term Loan Any such term loan shall be a “Term Loan” for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(d) This Section 2.20 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.18 or Section 9.02 to the contrary.

SECTION 2.21. Refinancing Amendments .

(a) At any time after the Effective Date, the Parent Borrower may obtain, from any Lender or any Additional Lender, Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of (a) all or any portion of the Term Loans then outstanding under this Agreement (which for purposes of this clause (a) will be deemed to include any then outstanding Other Term Loans) or (b) all or any portion of the Revolving Loans (or unused Revolving Commitments) under this Agreement (which for purposes of this clause (b) will be deemed to include any then outstanding Other Revolving Loans and Other Revolving Commitments), in the form of (x) Other Term Loans or Other Term Commitments or (y) Other Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Commitments, as the case may be, in each case pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment; provided that such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (i) will have such pricing and optional prepayment terms as may be agreed by the Borrower and the Lenders thereof, (ii) (x) with respect to any Other Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Commitments, will have a maturity date that is not prior to the maturity date of Revolving Loans (or unused Revolving Commitments) being refinanced and (y) with respect to any Other Term Loans or Other Term Commitments, will have a maturity date that is not prior to the maturity date of the Term Loans being refinanced, and (iii) the proceeds of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall be applied, substantially concurrently with the incurrence thereof, to the prepayment of outstanding Term Loans or reduction of Revolving Commitments being so refinanced, as the case may be; provided further that the terms and conditions applicable to such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness may provide for any additional or different financial or other covenants or other provisions that are agreed between the Parent Borrower and the Lenders thereof and applicable only during periods after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained. The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of legal opinions, board resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date under Section 4.01 (other than changes to such legal opinions resulting from a change in law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent). Each Class of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred under this Section 2.21 shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (x) not less than $10,000,000 in the case of Other Term Loans or $10,000,000 in the case of Other Revolving Loans and (y) an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Any Refinancing Amendment may provide for the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of the Parent Borrower, or the provision to the Parent Borrower of Swingline Loans, pursuant to any Other Revolving Commitments established thereby, in each case on terms substantially

 

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equivalent to the terms applicable to Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under the Revolving Commitments. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Refinancing Amendment. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto (including any amendments necessary to treat the Loans and Commitments subject thereto as Other Term Loans, Other Revolving Loans, Other Revolving Commitments and/or Other Term Commitments). Any Refinancing Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section. In addition, if so provided in the relevant Refinancing Amendment and with the consent of each Issuing Bank, participations in Letters of Credit expiring on or after the Revolving Maturity Date shall be reallocated from Lenders holding Revolving Commitments to Lenders holding extended revolving commitments in accordance with the terms of such Refinancing Amendment; provided , however , that such participation interests shall, upon receipt thereof by the relevant Lenders holding Revolving Commitments, be deemed to be participation interests in respect of such Revolving Commitments and the terms of such participation interests (including, without limitation, the commission applicable thereto) shall be adjusted accordingly.

(b) This Section 2.21 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.18 or Section 9.02 to the contrary.

SECTION 2.22. Defaulting Lenders .

(a) Adjustments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

(i) Waivers and Amendments . Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 9.02.

(ii) Reallocation of Payments . Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.08), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , in the case of a Revolving Lender, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender hereunder; third , as the Parent Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fourth , in the case of a Revolving Lender, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; fifth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; sixth , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to a Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Parent Borrower against that

 

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Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and seventh , to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements and such Lender is a Defaulting Lender under clause (a) of the definition thereof, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the relevant Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, the relevant non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied pursuant to Section 2.05(j). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(iii) Certain Fees . That Defaulting Lender (x) shall not be entitled to receive or accrue any commitment fee pursuant to Section 2.12(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender) and (y) shall be limited in its right to receive Letter of Credit Fees as provided in Section 2.12(b).

(iv) Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure . During any period in which there is a Defaulting Lender, for purposes of computing the amount of the obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit pursuant to Sections 2.04 and 2.05, the “Applicable Percentage” of each non-Defaulting Lender shall be computed without giving effect to the Revolving Commitment of that Defaulting Lender; provided that the aggregate obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall not exceed the positive difference, if any, of (1) the Revolving Commitment of that non-Defaulting Lender minus (2) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans of that Lender.

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any cash collateral), such Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv)), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrowers while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided , further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

SECTION 2.23. Illegality . If any Lender determines that any law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrowers through the Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Loans or to convert ABR Loans denominated in dollars to Eurocurrency Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrowers shall, upon three

 

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Business Days’ notice from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurocurrency Loans of such Lender to ABR Loans either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Loans, and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Alternate Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate. Each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers in writing promptly upon becoming aware that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower (and the Co-Borrower as to itself and its Restricted Subsidiaries) represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers . Each of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdictions) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party and to effect the Transactions and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability . The Transactions to be entered into by each Loan Party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action and, if required, action by the holders of such Loan Party’s Equity Interests. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of Holdings and the Borrowers and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is to be a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of Holdings, the Borrowers or such Loan Party, as the case may be, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts . The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except filings necessary to perfect Liens created under the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate (i) the Organizational Documents of, or (ii) any Requirements of Law applicable to, Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture or other agreement or instrument binding upon Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary or their respective assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment, repurchase or redemption to be made by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation thereunder, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other

 

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Restricted Subsidiary, except Liens created under the Loan Documents, except (in the case of each of clauses (a), (b)(ii) and (c)) to the extent that the failure to obtain or make such consent, approval, registration, filing or action, or such violation, as the case may be, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect .

(a) Holdings has heretofore furnished to the Lenders the Audited Financial Statements. The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein and (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Target and its subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein.

(b) The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Target and its subsidiaries dated May 27, 2011 and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Target and its subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments.

(c) Holdings has heretofore furnished to the Lenders the consolidated pro forma balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of May 27, 2011, and the related consolidated pro forma statement of income of the Parent Borrower as of and for the twelve-month period then ended (such pro forma balance sheet and statement of income, the “ Pro Forma Financial Statements ”), which have been prepared giving effect to the Transactions (excluding the impact of purchase accounting effects required by GAAP) as if such transactions had occurred on such date or at the beginning of such period, as the case may be. The Pro Forma Financial Statements have been prepared in good faith, based on assumptions believed by Holdings to be reasonable as of the date of delivery thereof, and present fairly in all material respects on a pro forma basis the estimated financial position of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of May 27, 2011, and their estimated results of operations for the periods covered thereby, assuming that the Transactions had actually occurred at such date or at the beginning of such period (excluding the impact of purchase accounting effects required by GAAP).

(d) Since August 27, 2010, there has been no Material Adverse Effect ( provided that the representation set forth in this Section 3.04(c) shall not be deemed made on the Effective Date in respect of any Borrowings or extensions of credit made hereunder on such date).

SECTION 3.05. Properties .

(a) Each of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, if any (including the Mortgaged Properties), (i) free and clear of all Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02 and (ii) except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes, in each case, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Each of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property material to the conduct of its business, and the use thereof by

 

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Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the Intellectual Property rights of any other Person, in each case except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) As of the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions, none of Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary owns any real property.

SECTION 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters .

(a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Parent Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, none of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Parent Borrower, become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received written notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) has, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Parent Borrower, any basis to reasonably expect that Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary will become subject to any Environmental Liability.

SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements . Each of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries is in compliance with (a) its Organizational Documents, (b) all Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property and (c) all indentures and other agreements and instruments binding upon it or its property, except, in the case of clauses (b) and (c) of this Section, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.08. Investment Company Status . None of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

SECTION 3.09. Taxes . Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, Holdings, the Parent Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary (a) have timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and (b) have paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid (whether or not shown on a Tax return) including in their capacity as tax withholding agents, except any Taxes (i) that are not overdue by more than 30 days or (ii) that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that Holdings, the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, has set aside on its books adequate reserves therefore in accordance with GAAP.

SECTION 3.10. ERISA .

(a) Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state Laws.

(b) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no ERISA Event has occurred during the five year period prior to the

 

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date on which this representation is made or deemed made with respect to any Plan, (ii) no Plan has an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, (iii) neither Holdings nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA), (iv) neither Holdings nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan and (v) neither Holdings nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

SECTION 3.11. Disclosure . Neither (a) the Information Memorandum as of the Effective Date nor (b) any of the other reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of any Loan Document or delivered thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) when taken as a whole contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading, provided that, with respect to projected financial information, Holdings and the Parent Borrower represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by them to be reasonable at the time delivered and, if such projected financial information was delivered prior to the Effective Date, as of the Effective Date, it being understood that any such projected financial information may vary from actual results and such variations could be material.

SECTION 3.12. Subsidiaries . As of the Effective Date, Schedule 3.12 sets forth the name of, and the ownership interest of Holdings and each Subsidiary in, each Subsidiary.

SECTION 3.13. Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc . Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries own, license or possess the right to use, all of the rights to Intellectual Property that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses as currently conducted, and, without conflict with the rights of any Person, except to the extent such conflicts, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Holdings, the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary do not, in the operation of their business as currently conducted, infringe upon any Intellectual Property rights held by any Person except for such infringements, individually or in the aggregate, which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim or litigation regarding any of the Intellectual Property owned by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of Holdings and the Parent Borrower, threatened in writing against Holdings, each Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.14. Solvency . Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, after taking into account all applicable rights of indemnity and contribution, (a) the fair value of the assets of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, at a fair valuation, will exceed their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of their debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured, (c) Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured, and (d) Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which they are engaged as such business is now conducted and is

 

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proposed to be conducted following the Effective Date. For purposes of this Section 3.14, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that could reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

SECTION 3.15. Senior Indebtedness . The Loan Document Obligations constitute “Senior Indebtedness” (or any comparable term) under and as defined in the documentation governing any other Subordinated Indebtedness.

SECTION 3.16. Federal Reserve Regulations . None of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, to purchase or carry any margin stock or to refinance any Indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, or for any other purpose that entails a violation (including on the part of any Lender) of the provisions of Regulations U or X of the Board of Governors.

SECTION 3.17. Use of Proceeds . The Borrowers will use the proceeds of (a) the Term Loans made on the Effective Date to finance the Transaction and pay Transaction Costs and (b) the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans on the Effective Date to pay a portion of the Transaction costs and after the Effective Date for general corporate purposes.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS

SECTION 4.01. Effective Date . The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of each Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions shall be satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed counterpart of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks and dated the Effective Date) of each of (i) Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York counsel for the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 , (ii) Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados, Brazilian counsel for the Loan Parties in form of Exhibit F-2 , (iii) Walkers Global, Cayman counsel for the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-3 , (iv) De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek N.V., Dutch counsel for the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 , and (v) Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen, Luxembourg counsel for the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-5 and, in the case of each such opinion required by this paragraph, covering such other matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinions.

 

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(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit I with appropriate insertions, executed by any Responsible Officer of such Loan Party, and including or attaching the documents referred to in paragraph (d) of this Section.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of (i) each Organizational Document of each Loan Party certified, to the extent applicable, as of a recent date by the applicable Governmental Authority, (ii) signature and incumbency certificates of the Responsible Officers of each Loan Party executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (iii) resolutions of the board of directors and/or similar governing bodies of each Loan Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of Loan Documents to which it is a party, certified as of the Effective Date by its secretary, an assistant secretary or a Responsible Officer as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment, and (iv) a good standing certificate (to the extent such concept exists) from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Loan Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts previously agreed in writing by the Joint Bookrunners and Holdings to be due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced at least three Business Days prior to the Effective Date, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) required to be reimbursed or paid by any Loan Party under any Loan Document.

(f) The Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been satisfied and the Administrative Agent shall have received a completed Perfection Certificate dated the Effective Date and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower, together with all attachments contemplated thereby, including the results of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent) filings made with respect to Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the jurisdictions contemplated by the Perfection Certificate and copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such search and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Liens indicated by such financing statements (or similar documents) are permitted by Section 6.02 or have been or will contemporaneously with the initial funding of Loans on the Effective Date be released; provided that if, notwithstanding the use by Holdings and the Parent Borrower of commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied on the Effective Date, the requirements thereof (other than (a) the execution and delivery of the Guarantee Agreement and the Collateral Agreement by the Loan Parties, (b) creation of and perfection of security interests in the Equity Interests of (i) Domestic Subsidiaries of Holdings and the Parent Borrower, and (c) delivery of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements with respect to perfection of security interests in other assets of the Loan Parties that may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code) are not satisfied as of the Effective Date, the satisfaction of such requirements shall not be a condition to the availability of the initial Loans on the Effective Date (but shall be required to be satisfied as promptly as practicable after the Effective Date and in any event within the period specified therefor in Schedule 5.14 or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree).

(g) Subject to the qualifications set forth in the lead-in to Article III of the Acquisition Agreement, since August 27, 2010 to April 26, 2011, there has not been any change, event development or effect that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Target Material Adverse Effect. Since April 26, 2011 there has not been any change, event, development or effect that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Target Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(h) Certificates of insurance shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent evidencing the existence of insurance to be maintained by Holdings and the Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 5.07 and, if applicable, the Administrative Agent shall be designated as an additional insured and loss payee or mortgage endorsement as its interest may appear hereunder, or solely as the additional insured, as the case may be, hereunder ( provided that if such endorsement as additional insured cannot be delivered by the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent may consent to such endorsement being delivered at such later date as it deems appropriate in the circumstances).

(i) The Joint Bookrunners shall have received the (i) Pro Forma Financial Statements, (ii) Audited Financial Statements and (iii) unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows of the Target for each subsequent fiscal quarter after August 27, 2010 ended at least 45 days before the Effective Date (excluding footnotes).

(j) The Specified Representations shall be true and correct on and as of the Effective Date.

(k) The Acquisition shall have been consummated, or substantially simultaneously with the initial funding of Loans on the Effective Date, shall be consummated, in all material respects in accordance with the Acquisition Agreement (without giving effect to any amendments, supplements, waivers or other modifications to or of the Acquisition Agreement that are material and adverse to the Lenders or the Joint Book runners as reasonably determined by the Joint Book runners (it being understood that (x) any modification, amendment, consent or waiver to the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” shall be deemed to be material and adverse to the interest of the Lenders and the Joint Bookrunners and (y) (i) any reduction in the purchase price of the Acquisition shall be deemed to be material and adverse to the interest of the Lenders and the Joint Bookrunners ( provided that, in no event shall a reduction of the purchase price by less than 10% be deemed material for such purposes and any such reduction shall not require the prior consent of the Joint Bookrunners) and (ii) any reduction in the purchase price of the Acquisition (other than a reduction covered by the foregoing clause (y)(i)) shall not be deemed to be material and adverse to the interest of the Lenders and the Joint Bookrunners if such reduction is allocated to ratably reduce the pro forma equity capitalization of the Target and the Term Loans)).

(l) The Equity Financing shall have occurred and Holdings shall have received cash proceeds from the Equity Financing in an amount that, together with the Rolled Equity, is at least equal to 45% of the total pro forma debt and equity capitalization of Holdings and its subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) on the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions.

(m) After giving effect to the Transactions, (i) none of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary shall have outstanding any Disqualified Equity Interests or any Indebtedness, other than (A) Indebtedness incurred under the Loan Documents and (B) Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01. Without limiting the foregoing, the Refinancing Transaction shall have occurred.

(n) The Lenders shall have received a certificate from the chief financial officer of the Parent Borrower certifying as to the solvency of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions.

(o) The Administrative Agent and the Joint Bookrunners shall have received all documentation and other information about the Loan Parties as shall have been reasonably requested in writing at least 10 days prior to the Effective Date by the Administrative Agent or the Joint Bookrunners that they shall have reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA Patriot Act.

 

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The Administrative Agent shall notify Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions shall have been satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 9.02) at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 6, 2011 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate at such time).

SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event . The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of each Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, in each case other than on the Effective Date is subject to receipt of the request therefor in accordance herewith and to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) The representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as the case may be (in each case, unless such date is the Effective Date); provided that, to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; provided further that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects on the date of such credit extension or on such earlier date, as the case may be.

(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as the case may be (unless such Borrowing is on the Effective Date), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(c) At the time of any Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans are drawn upon or Letters of Credit are issued (if after giving effect to such Letter of Credit there would be more than $1,000,000 of Letters of Credit outstanding that are not cash collateralized), after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, the Secured Net Leverage shall not exceed 4.50 to 1.00.

Each Borrowing ( provided that a conversion or a continuation of a Borrowing shall not constitute a “Borrowing” for purposes of this Section) and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by Holdings and each Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.

 

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ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts (other than contingent amounts not yet due) payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or been terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements and Other Information . The Parent Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent, on behalf of each Lender:

(a) on or before the date on which such financial statements are required or permitted to be filed with the SEC (or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 120 days after the end of each such fiscal year of Parent Borrower (or, in the case of financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 26, 2011, on or before the date that is 150 days after the end of such fiscal year)), audited consolidated balance sheet and audited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Parent Borrower (or, in the case of financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 26, 2011, the Target) as of the end of and for such year, and related notes thereto, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by KPMG LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than with respect to, or resulting from any potential inability to satisfy the covenant in Section 6.12 of this Agreement in a future date or period) and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the end of and for such year and results of operations and cash flows of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries (or, in the case of the fiscal year ended August 26, 2011, the Target and its subsidiaries) on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

(b) commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ending November 25, 2011, on or before the date on which such financial statements are required or permitted to be filed with the SEC with respect to each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower (or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 60 days after the end of each such fiscal quarter (or, in the case of financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended November 25, 2011 on or before the date that is 90 days after the end of such fiscal quarter and in the case of financial statements for the fiscal quarters ended February 24, 2012 and May 25, 2012, respectively, on or before the date that is 75 days after the end of such fiscal quarter)), unaudited consolidated balance sheet and unaudited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth for each fiscal quarter commencing with the fiscal quarter ending November 30, 2012 in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and such portion of the fiscal year and results of operations and cash flows of Holdings and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

(c) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of consolidated financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, the related consolidating financial statements reflecting adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements;

(d) not later than five days after any delivery of financial statements under paragraph (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer (i) certifying as to whether a Default has

 

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occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations (A) demonstrating compliance with the covenants contained in Section 6.12 and (B) in the case of financial statements delivered under paragraph (a) above, beginning with the financial statements for the fiscal year of the Parent Borrower ending August 31, 2012, of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year and (iii) in the case of financial statements delivered under paragraph (a) above, setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation of the Net Proceeds received during the applicable period by or on behalf of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any event described in clause (a) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event” and the portion of such Net Proceeds that has been invested or are intended to be reinvested in accordance with the proviso in Section 2.11(c);

(e) not later than five days after any delivery of financial statements under paragraph (a) above, a certificate of the accounting firm that reported on such financial statements stating whether it obtained knowledge during the course of its examination of such financial statements of any Default relating to Sections 6.12 and, if such knowledge has been obtained, describing such Default (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines);

(f) not later than 120 days after the commencement of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower (or in the case of the fiscal year ended August 26, 2011, on or before the date that is 150 days at the end of such fiscal year), a detailed consolidated budget for the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statements of projected operations, comprehensive income and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal year and setting forth the material assumptions used for purposes of preparing such budget);

(g) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and registration statements (other than amendments to any registration statement (to the extent such registration statement, in the form it became effective, is delivered to the Administrative Agent), exhibits to any registration statement and, if applicable, any registration statement on Form S-8) filed by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or Subsidiaries (or, if the Parent Borrower is a subsidiary of the IPO Entity, the IPO Entity) with the SEC or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Parent Borrower (or, if the Parent Borrower is a subsidiary of the IPO Entity, the IPO Entity) to the holders of its Equity Interests generally, as the case may be;

(h) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of any Lender may reasonably request in writing; and

(i) (i) not later than 90 days after the end of the fiscal year of Parent Borrower ended August 26, 2011, summary unaudited and abbreviated consolidated financial information of the Parent Borrower of such type that are provided to the Board of Directors of Holdings or to senior management and (ii) not later than 60 days after the end of each of the fiscal quarters ended November 25, 2011, February 24, 2012 and May 25, 2012, summary unaudited and abbreviated consolidated financial information of the Parent Borrower of such type that are provided to the Board of Directors of Holdings or to senior management.

 

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The Parent Borrower will hold and participate in a quarterly conference call for Lenders to discuss financial information delivered pursuant to paragraphs (a), (b) and (f) of this Section 5.01. The Parent Borrower will hold such conference call following the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower and not later than five Business Days from the time that the Parent Borrower delivers the financial information as set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.01. Prior to each conference call, the Parent Borrower shall issue a press release to the appropriate wire services announcing the time and date of such conference call and, unless the call is to be open to the public, Lenders, securities analysts and prospective lenders to contact the office of the Parent Borrower’s chief financial officer or investor relations department to obtain access. If the Parent Borrower is holding a conference call open to the public to discuss the most recent quarter’s financial performance, the Parent Borrower will not be required to hold a second, separate call just for the Lenders.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.01 may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries by furnishing (A) the Form 10-K or 10-Q (or the equivalent), as applicable, of the Parent Borrower (or a parent company thereof) filed with the SEC or with a similar regulatory authority in a foreign jurisdiction or (B) the applicable financial statement of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings); provided that to the extent such information relates to a parent of the Parent Borrower, such information is accompanied by consolidating information, which may be unaudited, that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand, and to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under Section 5.01(a), such materials are accompanied by a report and opinion of KPMG LLP or any other independent registered public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than with respect to, or resulting from any potential inability to satisfy the covenant in Section 6.12 of this Agreement in a future date or period) or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a), (b) or (f) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Parent Borrower’s website on the Internet; (B) on which such documents are posted on the Parent Borrower’s behalf on IntraLinks/IntraAgency or another website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Parent Borrower shall deliver such documents to the Administrative Agent upon its reasonable request until a written notice to cease delivering such documents is given by the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Parent Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and upon its reasonable request, provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions ( i.e ., soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents and maintaining its copies of such documents.

The Parent Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Joint Bookrunners will make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Parent Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Parent Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Parent Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “ Platform ”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “ Public Lender ”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Parent Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective

 

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securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Parent Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Parent Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Parent Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Parent Borrower Materials “PUBLIC”, the Parent Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Joint Bookrunners, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders to treat such Parent Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Parent Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws ( provided , however , that to the extent such Parent Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 9.12); (y) all Parent Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information”; and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Parent Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information”. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Parent Borrower Materials “PUBLIC”.

SECTION 5.02. Notices of Material Events . Promptly after any Responsible Officer of Holdings or any Borrower obtains actual knowledge thereof, Holdings or such Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to each Lender through the Administrative Agent) written notice of the following:

(a) the occurrence of any Default; and

(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or, to the knowledge of a Financial Officer or another executive officer of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, affecting Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the receipt of a notice of an Environmental Liability that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Parent Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

SECTION 5.03. Information Regarding Collateral .

(a) Holdings or the Parent Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt (and in any event within 30 days or such longer period as reasonably agreed to by the Administrative Agent) written notice of any change (i) in any Loan Party’s legal name (as set forth in its certificate of organization or like document), (ii) in the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of any Loan Party or in the form of its organization or (iii) in any Loan Party’s organizational identification number.

(b) Not later than five days after delivery of financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), Holdings or the Parent Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Parent Borrower (i) setting forth the information required pursuant to Sections 1(a)(i), 1(b), 2, 5, 6, 8 (other than 8(f)) of the Perfection Certificate or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Perfection Certificate delivered on the Effective Date or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section, (ii) identifying any wholly-owned Subsidiary that has become, or ceased to be a Material Subsidiary during the most recently ended fiscal quarter and (iii) certifying that all notices required to be given prior to the date of such certificate by Section 5.03 or 5.12 have been given.

 

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SECTION 5.04. Existence; Conduct of Business . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to obtain, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business, in each case (other than the preservation of the existence of Holdings and the Parent Borrower) to the extent that the failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03 or any Disposition permitted by Section 6.05.

SECTION 5.05. Payment of Taxes, etc . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, pay its obligations in respect of Taxes before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.06. Maintenance of Properties . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.07. Insurance .

(a) Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each other Subsidiary to, maintain, with insurance companies that Holdings believes (in the good faith judgment of the management of Holdings and the Parent Borrower) are financially sound and responsible at the time the relevant coverage is placed or renewed, insurance in at least such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance which Holdings and the Parent Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of management of Holdings and the Parent Borrower) is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business) and against at least such risks (and with such risk retentions) as Holdings and the Parent Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment or the management of Holdings and the Parent Borrower) are reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business; and will furnish to the Lenders, upon written request from the Administrative Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried. Each such policy of insurance shall (i) name the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear and (ii) in the case of each casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable clause or endorsement that names Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders as the loss payee thereunder.

(b) If any portion of any Mortgaged Property subject to FEMA rules and regulations is at any time located in an area identified by FEMA (or any successor agency) as a Special Flood Hazard Area with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (as now or hereafter in effect or successor act thereto, the “Flood Insurance Laws”), then the Parent Borrower shall, or shall cause the relevant Loan Party to (i) maintain or cause to be maintained, flood insurance sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Flood Insurance Laws and (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent evidence of such compliance.

SECTION 5.08. Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights . Each of Holdings and the Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, maintain proper books of record and account in which entries that are full, true and correct in all material respects and are in conformity with

 

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GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all material financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be. Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause its Restricted Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested; provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders may exercise visitation and inspection rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Section 5.08 and the Administrative Agent shall not exercise such rights more often than two times during any calendar year absent the existence of an Event of Default and only one such time shall be at the Parent Borrower’s expense; provided further that (a) when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Parent Borrower at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice and (b) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall give Holdings and the Parent Borrower the opportunity to participate in any discussions with Holdings’ or the Parent Borrower’s independent public accountants.

SECTION 5.09. Compliance with Laws . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, comply with its Organizational Documents and all Requirements of Law with respect to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.10. Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit . The Borrowers will use the proceeds of the Term Loans and any Revolving Loans drawn on the Effective Date, together with cash on hand of the Parent Borrower, on the Effective Date to pay a portion of the Transaction Costs (including any upfront fees payable in respect of the Term Loans on the Effective Date). The proceeds of the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans drawn after the Effective Date will be used only for general corporate purposes (including Permitted Acquisitions). Letters of Credit will be used only for general corporate purposes.

SECTION 5.11. Additional Subsidiaries . If any additional Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent is formed or acquired after the Effective Date, Holdings or the Parent Borrower will, within 30 days after such newly formed or acquired Restricted Subsidiary is formed or acquired, notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and all actions (if any) required to be taken with respect to such newly formed or acquired Subsidiary (unless such Subsidiary is an Excluded Subsidiary) in order to satisfy the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been taken with respect to such Subsidiary and with respect to any Equity Interest in or Indebtedness of such Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party within 30 days after such notice (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree).

SECTION 5.12. Further Assurances .

(a) Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Loan Party to, execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents), that may be required under any applicable law and that the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request, to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be and remain satisfied, all at the expense of the Loan Parties.

 

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(b) If, after the Effective Date, any material assets (including any owned (but not leased) real property or improvements thereto or any interest therein) with a fair market value in excess of $5,000,000, are acquired by the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party or are held by any Subsidiary on or after the time it becomes a Loan Party pursuant to Section 5.11 (other than assets constituting Collateral under a Security Document that become subject to the Lien created by such Security Document upon acquisition thereof or constituting Excluded Assets), the Parent Borrower will notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Parent Borrower will cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Secured Obligations and will take and cause the other Loan Parties to take, such actions as shall be necessary and reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (a) of this Section, all at the expense of the Loan Parties and subject to last paragraph of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”.

SECTION 5.13. Ratings . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause (a) the Parent Borrower to continuously have a public corporate credit rating from each of S&P and Moody’s (but not to maintain a specific rating) and (b) the credit facilities made available under this Agreement to be continuously rated by each of S&P and Moody’s (but not to maintain a specific rating).

SECTION 5.14. Certain Post-Closing Obligations . As promptly as practicable, and in any event within the time periods after the Effective Date specified in Schedule 5.14 or such later date as the Administrative Agent reasonably agrees to in writing, including to reasonably accommodate circumstances unforeseen on the Effective Date, Holdings, the Parent Borrower and each other Loan Party shall deliver the documents or take the actions specified on Schedule 5.14 that would have been required to be delivered or taken on the Effective Date but for the proviso to Section 4.01(f), in each case except to the extent otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to its authority as set forth in the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”.

SECTION 5.15. Storage Monetization . Upon the occurrence of Monetization (A) if the Total Net Leverage Ratio at the time of Monetization is equal to or less than 2.45 to 1.00 after giving effect to the Transactions, then the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall receive cash (by means of a cash contribution to the common capital of the Parent Borrower and/or a repayment of debt owing to the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by Storage Parent or any of its subsidiaries) in an amount equal to the lesser of (y) the net cash proceeds of such disposition received by Target or any of its Affiliates (other than any of its subsidiaries) and (z) the outstanding amount of Storage Investments immediately prior to such time and (B) if the Total Net Leverage Ratio at the time of such disposition is greater than 2.45 to 1.00, then the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall receive cash (by means of a contribution to its common capital and/or the repayment of debt owing to the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary by Storage Parent or any of its subsidiaries) in an amount equal to the lesser of (y) the net cash proceeds of such disposition received by Target or any of its Affiliates (other than any of its subsidiaries) and (z) the outstanding amount of Storage Investments immediately prior to such time multiplied by two.

SECTION 5.16. Designation of Subsidiaries . The Parent Borrower may at any time after the Effective Date designate any Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower (other than the Co-Borrower) as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) immediately before and after such designation on a Pro Forma Basis, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Parent Borrower shall have a Total Net Leverage Ratio less than or equal to 3.5 to 1.0 on a Pro Forma Basis as of the end of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), and (iii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or continue as

 

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an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it is a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of any Indebtedness of Holdings or the Parent Borrower. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Effective Date shall constitute an Investment by the Parent Borrower therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Parent Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) investment therein. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute (i) the incurrence at the time of designation of any Investment, Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time and (ii) a return on any Investment by the Parent Borrower in Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the preceding sentence in an amount equal to the fair market value at the date of such designation of the Parent Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment in such Subsidiary.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Unrestricted Subsidiary that has been re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary may not be subsequently re-designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts payable (other than contingent amounts not yet due) under any Loan Document have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired or been terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, each of Holdings and each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities .

(a) Holdings and the Parent Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(i) Indebtedness of Holdings, the Borrowers and any of the other Restricted Subsidiaries under the Loan Documents (including any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 2.20 or 2.21);

(ii) Indebtedness (A) outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 6.01 and any Permitted Refinancing thereof and (B) intercompany Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 6.01 ;

(iii) Guarantees by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that such Guarantee is otherwise permitted by Section 6.04; provided further that (A) no Guarantee by any Restricted Subsidiary of any Junior Financing shall be permitted unless such Restricted Subsidiary shall have also provided a Guarantee of the Loan Document Obligations pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement and (B) if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to the Loan Document Obligations, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the Guarantee of the Loan Document Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the subordination of such Indebtedness;

(iv) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower owing to any Restricted Subsidiary or of any Restricted Subsidiary owing to any other Restricted Subsidiary or the Parent Borrower, Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to the extent permitted by Section 6.04; provided that all such Indebtedness of any Loan Party owing to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated to the Loan Document Obligations (to the extent any such Indebtedness is outstanding

 

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at any time after the date that is 30 days after the Effective Date or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree) (but only to the extent permitted by applicable law and not giving rise to material adverse Tax consequences) on terms (i) at least as favorable to the Lenders as those set forth in the form of intercompany note attached as Exhibit J or (ii) otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(v) (A) Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries financing the acquisition, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of fixed or capital assets, other than software; provided that such Indebtedness is incurred concurrently with or within 270 days after the applicable acquisition, construction, repair, replacement or improvement, and (B) any Permitted Refinancing of any Indebtedness set forth in the immediately preceding clause (A); provided further that, at the time of any such incurrence of Indebtedness and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto and the use of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness that is outstanding in reliance on this clause (v) shall not exceed the greater of $25,000,000 and 25% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b);

(vi) Indebtedness in respect of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;

(vii) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or of any Person not previously a Restricted Subsidiary that is merged or consolidated with or into the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) after the date hereof as a result of a Permitted Acquisition, or Indebtedness of any Person that is assumed by the Parent Borrower any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an acquisition of assets by the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in a Permitted Acquisition, and Permitted Refinancings thereof; provided that (A) such Indebtedness is not incurred in contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition and (B) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall have a Total Net Leverage Ratio less than or equal to 3.5 to 1.0 on a Pro Forma Basis as of the end of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b);

(viii) [Intentionally Omitted.]

(ix) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(x) Indebtedness consisting of unsecured promissory notes issued by any Loan Party to current or former officers, directors and employees or their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) permitted by Section 6.08(a);

(xi) Indebtedness constituting indemnification obligations or obligations in respect of purchase price or other similar adjustments incurred in a Permitted Acquisition, any other Investment or any Disposition, in each case permitted under this Agreement;

(xii) Indebtedness consisting of obligations under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements incurred in connection with the Transactions or any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder;

 

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(xiii) Cash Management Obligations and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and similar arrangements, in each case, in connection with deposit accounts;

(xiv) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that at the time of the incurrence thereof and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto and the use of the proceeds thereof, (A) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding in reliance on this clause (xiv) shall not exceed $35,000,000 and (B) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding in reliance on this clause (xiv) in respect of which the primary obligor or a guarantor is a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall not exceed $15,000,000;

(xv) Indebtedness consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(xvi) Indebtedness incurred by the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims;

(xvii) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments related thereto, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(xviii) unsecured Indebtedness of Holdings or any Intermediate Parent (“ Permitted Holdings Debt ”) (A) that is not subject to any Guarantee by any subsidiary thereof, (B) that will not mature prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date in effect on the date of issuance or incurrence thereof, (C) that has no scheduled amortization or payments, repurchases or redemptions of principal (it being understood that such Indebtedness may have mandatory prepayment, repurchase or redemption provisions satisfying the requirements of clause (E) below), (D) that does not require any payments in cash of interest or other amounts in respect of the principal thereof prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date in effect on the date of such issuance or incurrence (or, with respect to any such Indebtedness incurred after the first anniversary of the Effective Date, the earlier to occur of (1) the date that is five years from the date of the issuance or incurrence thereof and (2) the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date in effect on the date of such issuance or incurrence), (E) that has mandatory prepayment, repurchase or redemption, covenant, default and remedy provisions customary for senior or senior subordinated discount notes of an issuer that is the parent of a borrower under senior secured credit facilities, and in any event, with respect to covenant, default and remedy provisions, no more restrictive (taken as a whole) than those set forth in this Agreement (other than provisions customary for senior or senior subordinated discount notes of a holding company), provided that a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five Business Days prior to the issuance or incurrence of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower within such five Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a

 

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reasonable description of the basis upon which it disagrees) and (F) that any such Indebtedness of Holdings is subordinated in right of payment to its Guarantee under the Guarantee Agreement; provided further that any such Indebtedness shall constitute Permitted Holdings Debt only if immediately after giving effect to the issuance or incurrence thereof and the use of proceeds thereof, (1) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (2) Holdings and the Subsidiaries will be in Pro Forma Compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 6.12 for, or as of the last day of, the Test Period as of such time assuming that such covenant is always applicable (it being understood that any future capitalized or paid-in-kind interest or accreted principal on such Indebtedness is not subject to this proviso);

(xix) (A) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that (x) such Indebtedness is unsecured and (y) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness on a Pro Forma Basis, the Total Net Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 3.50 to 1.0 and (B) any Permitted Refinancing of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the foregoing clause (A);

(xx) Indebtedness supported by a Letter of Credit, in a principal amount not to exceed the face amount of such Letter of Credit;

(xxi) Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt, and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(xxii) Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt and Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt, and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(xxiii) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower (or the Borrowers on a joint and several basis) in respect of one or more series of senior secured notes that will be secured by the Collateral on a pari passu or junior basis with the Secured Obligations (but in any event, not on a “first out” basis), that are issued or made in lieu of Incremental Loans pursuant to an indenture or a note purchase agreement or otherwise and any extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements thereof (the “ Additional Notes ”); provided that (i) such Additional Notes are not scheduled to mature prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date then in effect, (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all Additional Notes issued pursuant to this paragraph (xxii) shall not exceed (x) the Incremental Cap less (y) the amount of all Incremental Term Loans, (iii) such Additional Notes shall not be subject to any Guarantee by any Person other than a Loan Party, (iv), the obligations in respect thereof shall not be secured by any Lien on any asset of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary other than any asset constituting Collateral, (v) at the time of such incurrence (except in the case of any extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement thereof that does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced plus any accrued and unpaid interest and premium therein and any fee and expense in connection therewith) and immediately after giving effect thereto, the Parent Borrower shall have a Total Net Leverage Ratio less than or equal to 3.5 to 1.0 on a Pro Forma Basis as of the end of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), (vi) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would exist immediately after giving effect to such incurrence, (vii) the security agreements relating to such Additional Notes shall be substantially the same as the Security Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (viii) such Additional Notes and the trustee under the indenture governing such Additional Notes shall be subject to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable; provided that if such Additional Notes are issued pursuant to an indenture that has not previously been made subject thereto, then Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the trustee for such Additional Notes shall have executed

 

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and delivered the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement or the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, (ix) the documentation with respect to any Additional Notes contains no mandatory prepayment, repurchase or redemption provisions except with respect to change of control and asset sale offers that are customary for high yield notes of such type and (x) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate (including whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind) and redemption premium) of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (xxii) are, taken as a whole, more favorable to the Loan Parties than the terms and conditions under this Agreement; and

(xxiv) all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (i) through (xxii) above.

(b) Holdings and each Intermediate Parent will not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness except Indebtedness created under Sections 6.01(a)(i), (iii), (iv), (vi), (ix), (x), (xi), (xii), (xiii), (xviii), (xxii) and all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in the foregoing clauses.

(c) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, issue any preferred Equity Interests or any Disqualified Equity Interests, except (A) in the case of Holdings, preferred Equity Interests that are Qualified Equity Interests and (B) in the case of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent, preferred Equity Interests issued to and held by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

SECTION 6.02. Liens . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

(i) Liens created under the Loan Documents;

(ii) Permitted Encumbrances;

(iii) Liens existing on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 6.02 and any modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (A) such modified, replacement, renewal or extension Lien does not extend to any additional property other than (1) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien and (2) proceeds and products thereof, and (B) the obligations secured or benefited by such modified, replacement, renewal or extension Lien are permitted by Section 6.01;

(iv) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(a)(v); provided that (A) such Liens attach concurrently with or within 270 days after the acquisition, repair, replacement, construction or improvement (as applicable) of the property subject to such Liens, (B) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness except for accessions to such property and the proceeds and the products thereof and (C) with respect to Capital Lease Obligations; such Liens do not at any time extend to or cover any assets (except for accessions to or proceeds of such assets) other than the assets subject to such Capital Lease Obligations; provided further that individual financings of equipment provided by one lender may be cross collateralized to other financings of equipment provided by such lender;

 

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(v) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to others that do not (A) interfere in any material respect with the business of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (B) secure any Indebtedness;

(vi) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(vii) Liens (A) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection and (B) in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of setoff) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(viii) Liens (A) on cash advances or escrow deposits in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment or otherwise in connection with any escrow arrangements with respect to any such Investment or any Disposition permitted under Section 6.05 (including any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to such Investment or Disposition), or (B) consisting of an agreement to dispose of any property in a Disposition permitted under Section 6.05, in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or Disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

(ix) Liens on property of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, which Liens secure Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary permitted under Section 6.01;

(x) Liens granted by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in favor of any Loan Party and Liens granted by a Loan Party in favor of any other Loan Party;

(xi) Liens existing on property at the time of its acquisition or existing on the property of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case after the date hereof (other than Liens on the Equity Interests of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary); provided that (A) such Lien was not created in contemplation of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) such Lien does not extend to or cover any other assets or property (other than the proceeds or products thereof and other than after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing Indebtedness and other obligations incurred prior to such time and which Indebtedness and other obligations are permitted hereunder that require or include, pursuant to their terms at such time, a pledge of after-acquired property, it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition), and (C) the Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted under Section 6.01(a)(v) or (vii);

(xii) any interest or title of a lessor under leases (other than leases constituting Capital Lease Obligations) entered into by any of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(xiii) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods by any of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(xiv) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements under clause (e) of the definition of the term “Permitted Investments”;

 

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(xv) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(xvi) Liens that are contractual rights of setoff (A) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness, (B) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (C) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(xvii) ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries are located;

(xviii) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

(xix) Liens on the Collateral securing Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt, Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt and Additional Notes;

(xx) other Liens; provided that at the time of the granting of and after giving Pro Forma Effect to any such Lien and the obligations secured thereby (including the use of proceeds thereof) the aggregate face amount of obligations secured by Liens existing in reliance on this clause (xx) shall not exceed the greater of $10,000,000 and 10% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period then last ended for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b); and

(xxi) Liens arising from UCC financing statements or similar filings evidencing the sales of accounts receivable and related assets pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Factoring.

SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes; Holding Companies .

(a) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, merge into or consolidate or amalgamate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except that:

(i) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge with (A) the Parent Borrower; provided that the Parent Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (B) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more other Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that when any Restricted Subsidiary Loan Party is merging or amalgamating with another Restricted Subsidiary (1) the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Subsidiary Loan Party or (2) if the continuing or surviving Person is not a Subsidiary Loan Party, the acquisition of such Subsidiary Loan Party by such surviving Restricted Subsidiary is otherwise permitted under Section 6.04;

(ii) (A) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (B) any Restricted Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve or change its legal form if Holdings determines in good faith that such action is in the best interests of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders;

 

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(iii) any Restricted Subsidiary may make a Disposition of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Loan Party, then (A) the transferee must be a Loan Party, (B) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment must be a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 6.04 or (C) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition is for fair value and any promissory note or other non-cash consideration received in respect thereof is a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 6.04;

(iv) the Parent Borrower may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with any other Person; provided that (A) the Parent Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (B) if the Person formed by or surviving any such merger or consolidation is not the Parent Borrower (any such Person, the “ Successor Borrower ”), (1) the Successor Borrower shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, (2) the Successor Borrower shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Parent Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Parent Borrower is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (3) each Loan Party other than the Parent Borrower, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have reaffirmed, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that its Guarantee of, and grant of any Liens as security for, the Secured Obligations shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and (4) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such merger, amalgamation or consolidation complies with this Agreement; provided further that (y) if such Person is not a Loan Party, no Default exists after giving effect to such merger or consolidation and (z) if the foregoing requirements are satisfied, the Successor Borrower will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Parent Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided further that the Parent Borrower agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide any documentation and other information about the Successor Borrower as shall have been reasonably requested in writing by any Lender through the Administrative Agent that such Lender shall have reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA Patriot Act;

(v) Holdings or any Intermediate Parent may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with any other Person, so long as no Event of Default exists after giving effect to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation; provided that (A) Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (B) if the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, amalgamation or consolidation is not Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, or is a Person into which Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, has been liquidated (any such Person, the “ Successor Holdings ”), (1) the Successor Holdings shall expressly assume all the obligations of Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (2) each Loan Party other than Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, unless it is the other party to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, shall have reaffirmed, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that its Guarantee of and grant of any Liens as security for the Secured Obligations shall apply to the Successor Holdings’ obligations under this Agreement, (3) the Successor Holdings shall, immediately following such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, directly or indirectly own all Subsidiaries owned by Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, immediately prior to such

 

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transaction, (4) Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such merger or consolidation complies with this Agreement and (5) Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, may not merge, amalgamate or consolidate with the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor or Co-Borrower if any Permitted Holdings Debt is then outstanding unless the Total Leverage Ratio is equal to or less than 3.50 to 1.00 on a Pro Forma Basis; provided further that if the foregoing requirements are satisfied, the Successor Holdings will succeed to, and be substituted for, Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided further that the Parent Borrower agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide any documentation and other information about the Successor Holdings as shall have been reasonably requested in writing by any the Lender through the Administrative Agent that such Lender shall have reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA Patriot Act.

(vi) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with any other Person in order to effect an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 6.04; provided that the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Restricted Subsidiary, which together with each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, shall have complied with the requirements of Sections 5.11 and 5.12 and if the other party to such transaction is not a Loan Party, no Default exists after giving effect to such transaction;

(vii) Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may consummate the Acquisition; and

(viii) any Restricted Subsidiary may effect a merger, dissolution, liquidation consolidation or amalgamation to effect a Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 6.05; provided that if the other party to such transaction is not a Loan Party, no Default exists after giving effect to the transaction.

(b) The Parent Borrower will not, and Holdings and the Parent Borrower will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Effective Date and businesses reasonably related or ancillary thereto.

(c) Holdings and any Intermediate Parent will not conduct, transact or otherwise engage in any business or operations other than (i) the ownership and/or acquisition of the Equity Interests of the Parent Borrower and any Intermediate Parent, (ii) the maintenance of its legal existence, including the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses relating to such maintenance, (iii) participating in tax, accounting and other administrative matters as a member of the consolidated group of Holdings and the Parent Borrower, (iv) the performance of its obligations under and in connection with the Loan Documents, any documentation governing any Indebtedness or Guarantee permitted to be incurred or made by it under Article VI, the Acquisition Agreement, the other agreements contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby and thereby, (v) any public offering of its common stock or any other issuance or registration of its Equity Interests for sale or resale not prohibited by this Agreement, including the costs, fees and expenses related thereto, (vi) any transaction that Holdings or any Intermediate Parent is permitted to enter into or consummate under Article VI (including, but not limited to, the making of any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.08 or holding of any cash or Permitted Investments received in connection with Restricted Payments made in accordance with Section 6.08 pending application thereof in the manner contemplated by Section 6.04, the incurrence of any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by it under Section 6.01 and the making of any Investment permitted to be made by it

 

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under Section 6.04), (vii) incurring fees, costs and expenses relating to overhead and general operating including professional fees for legal, tax and accounting issues and paying taxes, (viii) providing indemnification to officers and directors and as otherwise permitted in Section 6.09, (ix) activities incidental to the consummation of the Transactions and (x) activities incidental to the businesses or activities described in clauses (i) to (ix) of this paragraph.

(d) Holdings and any Intermediate Parent will not own or acquire any assets (other than Equity Interests as referred to in paragraph (c)(i) above, cash, Permitted Investments, loans and advances made by Holdings or any Intermediate Parent under Section 6.04(b), intercompany Investments consisting of Indebtedness permitted to be made by it under Section 6.04 or incur any liabilities (other than liabilities as referred to in paragraph (c) above, liabilities imposed by law, including tax liabilities, and other liabilities incidental to its existence and business and activities permitted by this Agreement).

SECTION 6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, make or hold any Investment, except:

(a) Permitted Investments;

(b) loans or advances to officers, directors and employees of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) for reasonable and customary business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes, (ii) in connection with such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) ( provided that the amount of such loans and advances made in cash to such Person shall be contributed to the Parent Borrower in cash as common equity or Qualified Equity Interests) and (iii) for purposes not described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time not to exceed $5,000,000;

(c) Investments (i) by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Loan Party (excluding any new Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Loan Party pursuant to such Investment), (ii) by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in any other Restricted Subsidiary that is also not a Loan Party, (iii) by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (A) in any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the aggregate amount of such Investments made by Loan Parties after the Effective Date in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in reliance on this clause (iii)(A) (together with the amount of Investments made in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties pursuant to Section 6.04(h)) shall not exceed the Non-Loan Party Investment Amount at the time of any such Investment, (B) in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, constituting an exchange of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary for Indebtedness of such Subsidiary or (C) constituting Guarantees of Indebtedness or other monetary obligations of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties owing to any Loan Party, (iv) by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties so long as such transactions is part of a series of simultaneous transactions that result in the proceeds of the initial Investment being invested in one or more Loan Parties (or, if the initial proceeds were held at a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and (v) by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, consisting of the contribution of Equity Interests of any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party so long as the Equity Interests of the transferee Restricted Subsidiary is pledged to secure the Secured Obligations;

 

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(d) Investments consisting of extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;

(e) Investments (i) existing or contemplated on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 6.04(e) and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension thereof and (ii) Investments existing on the date hereof by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and any modification, renewal or extension thereof; provided that the amount of the original Investment is not increased except by the terms of such Investment to the extent as set forth on Schedule 6.04(e) or as otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04;

(f) Investments in Swap Agreements permitted under Section 6.07;

(g) promissory notes and other non-cash consideration received in connection with Dispositions permitted by Section 6.05;

(h) Permitted Acquisitions; provided that the aggregate amount of consideration paid or provided by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party after the Effective Date in reliance on this Section 6.04(h) (together with any Investments made in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties pursuant to Section 6.04(c)(iii)(A)) for Permitted Acquisitions (including the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness assumed in connection with Permitted Acquisitions) for any Restricted Subsidiary that shall not be or, after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition, shall not become a Loan Party, shall not exceed the Non-Loan Party Investment Amount at such time;

(i) the Transactions;

(j) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Uniform Commercial Code Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

(k) Investments (including debt obligations and Equity Interests) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers or in settlement of delinquent obligations of, or other disputes with, customers and suppliers or upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment;

(l) loans and advances to Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any Intermediate Parent in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments to the extent permitted to be made to Holdings (or such parent) in accordance with Section 6.08(a)(iv), (v), (vi) or (vii);

(m) so long as immediately after giving effect to any such Investment no Default has occurred and is continuing, other Investments and other acquisitions; provided that at the time any such Investment or other acquisition is made, the aggregate outstanding amount of all Investments made in reliance on this clause (m) together with the aggregate amount of all consideration paid in connection with all other acquisitions made in reliance on this clause (m) (including the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness assumed in connection with any such other acquisition), shall not exceed the sum of (A) the greater of $45,000,000 and 45% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) after giving Pro Forma Effect to the making of such Investment or other acquisition, plus (B) the Available Amount that is Not Otherwise Applied as in effect immediately prior to the time of making of such Investment;

 

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(n) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;

(o) Investments and other acquisitions to the extent that payment for such Investments is made solely with Qualified Equity Interests (excluding Cure Amounts) of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof or the IPO Entity); provided that such amounts used pursuant to this clause (o) shall not increase the Available Amount;

(p) Storage Investments;

(q) Investments of a Subsidiary acquired after the Effective Date or of a Person merged or consolidated with any Subsidiary in accordance with this Section and Section 6.03 after the Effective Date (other than existing Investments in subsidiaries of such Subsidiary or Person, which must comply with the requirements of Section 6.04(h) or 6.04(m)) to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation; and

(r) non-cash Investments in connection with tax planning and reorganization activities; provided that after giving effect to any such activities, the security interests of the Lenders in the Collateral, taken as a whole, would not be materially impaired.

SECTION 6.05. Asset Sales . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent, to, (i) sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it or (ii) permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Restricted Subsidiary (other than issuing directors’ qualifying shares, nominal shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Requirements of Law and other than issuing Equity Interests to Holdings, the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in compliance with Section 6.04(c)) (each, a “ Disposition ”), except:

(a) Dispositions of obsolete or worn out property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business and Dispositions of property no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(b) Dispositions of inventory and other assets in the ordinary course of business;

(c) Dispositions of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;

(d) Dispositions of property to the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Loan Party, then (i) the transferee must be a Loan Party, (ii) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment must be a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 6.04 or (iii) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition is for fair value and any promissory note or other non-cash consideration received in respect thereof is a permitted investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 6.04;

 

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(e) Dispositions permitted by Section 6.03, Investments permitted by Section 6.04, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08 and Liens permitted by Section 6.02;

(f) Dispositions of property acquired by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Effective Date pursuant to sale-leaseback transactions permitted by Section 6.06;

(g) Dispositions of Permitted Investments;

(h) Dispositions of accounts receivable (A) in connection with the collection or compromise thereof and (B) together with related assets pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Factoring;

(i) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses, in each case in the ordinary course of business and that do not materially interfere with the business of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(j) transfers of property subject to Casualty Events upon receipt of the Net Proceeds of such Casualty Event;

(k) Dispositions of property to Persons other than Restricted Subsidiaries (including the sale or issuance of Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary) not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.05; provided that (i) no Default shall exist at the time of, or would result from, such Disposition (other than any such Disposition made pursuant to a legally binding commitment entered into at a time when no Default existed or would have resulted from such Disposition) and (ii) with respect to any Disposition pursuant to this clause (k) for a purchase price in excess of $5,000,000, the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary shall receive not less than 75% of such consideration in the form of cash or Permitted Investments; provided , however , that for the purposes of this clause (ii), (A) any liabilities (as shown on the most recent balance sheet of Holdings provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations, that are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable Disposition and for which Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and all of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing, shall be deemed to be cash, (B) any securities received by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Permitted Investments (to the extent of the cash or Permitted Investments received) within 180 days following the closing of the applicable Disposition, shall be deemed to be cash and (C) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Disposition having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (k) that is at that time outstanding, not in excess of $10,000,000 at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, shall be deemed to be cash;

(l) Dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements; and

(m) Disposition of assets constituting a part of the Storage Business to Storage Parent or any of its subsidiaries in connection with the transition of the Storage Business to standalone operations, in each case on or before the date that is two months after the Effective Date;

 

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provided that any Disposition of any property pursuant to this Section 6.05 (except pursuant to Sections 6.05(e), 6.05(m) and except for Dispositions by a Loan Party to another Loan Party), shall be for no less than the fair market value of such property at the time of such Disposition.

SECTION 6.06. Sale and Leaseback Transactions . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred, except for any such sale of any fixed or capital assets by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the fair value of such fixed or capital asset and is consummated within 270 days after the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, acquires or completes the construction of such fixed or capital asset; provided that, if such sale and leaseback results in a Capital Lease Obligation, such Capital Lease Obligation is permitted by Section 6.01 and any Lien made the subject of such Capital Lease Obligation is permitted by Section 6.02.

SECTION 6.07. Swap Agreements . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has actual exposure (other than those in respect of shares of capital stock or other Equity Interests of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

SECTION 6.08. Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness .

(a) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:

(i) each Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Parent Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

(ii) Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the Equity Interests of such Person; provided that in the case of any such Restricted Payment by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower, such Restricted Payment is made to the Parent Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary based on their relative ownership interests of the relevant class of Equity Interests;

(iii) Restricted Payments made on the Effective Date to consummate the Transactions;

 

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(iv) repurchases of Equity Interests in Holdings (or Restricted Payments by Holdings to allow repurchases of Equity Interest in any direct or indirect parent of Holdings), the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

(v) Restricted Payments to Holdings which Holdings may use to redeem, acquire, retire or repurchase its Equity Interests (or any options or warrants or stock appreciation rights issued with respect to any of such Equity Interests) (or make Restricted Payments to allow any of Holdings’ direct or indirect parent companies to so redeem, retire, acquire or repurchase their Equity Interests) held by current or former officers, managers, consultants, directors and employees (or their respective spouses, former spouses, successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legatees or distributees) of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, upon the death, disability, retirement or termination of employment of any such Person or otherwise in accordance with any stock option or stock appreciation rights plan, any management, director and/or employee stock ownership or incentive plan, stock subscription plan, employment termination agreement or any other employment agreements or equity holders’ agreement in an aggregate amount after the Effective Date, together with the aggregate amount of loans and advances to Holdings made pursuant to Section 6.04(l) in lieu of Restricted Payments permitted by this clause (v), not to exceed $7,500,000 in any calendar year subject to maximum of $50,000,000 (the “ Total Repurchase Cap ”) prior to the Latest Maturity Date; provided that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Effective Date; provided further that repurchases of Equity Interests held by the chief executive officer of the Parent Borrower (or such chief executive’s spouse, former spouse, successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legatees or distributees) pursuant to the foregoing provisions shall not be subject to the foregoing annual cap but shall be permitted in an amount not to exceed the Total Repurchase Cap;

(vi) any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments in cash to Holdings and any Intermediate Parent and, where applicable, Holdings and such Intermediate Parent may make Restricted Payments in cash;

(A) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to pay its Tax liability to the relevant jurisdiction in respect of consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated returns attributable to the income of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided that Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (a)(vi)(A) shall not exceed the Tax liability that the Parent Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries (as applicable) would have incurred were such Taxes determined as if such entity(ies) were a stand-alone taxpayer or a stand-alone group; and provided , further , that Restricted Payments under this clause (A) in respect of any Taxes attributable to the income of any Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower may be made only to the extent that such Unrestricted Subsidiaries have made cash payments for such purpose to Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(B) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to pay) (1) its operating expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and other corporate overhead costs and expenses (including administrative, legal, accounting and similar expenses payable to third parties) that are reasonable and customary and incurred in the ordinary course of business, in an aggregate amount not to exceed amount together with the aggregate amount of loans and advances to Holdings made

 

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pursuant to Section 6.04(l) in lieu of Restricted Payments permitted by this clause (a)(vi)(B), $2,000,000 in any fiscal year plus any reasonable and customary indemnification claims made by directors or officers of Holdings (or any parent thereof or any Intermediate Parent) attributable to the ownership or operations of Holdings and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (2) fees and expenses (x) due and payable by any of the Restricted Subsidiaries and (y) otherwise permitted to be paid by such Restricted Subsidiary under this Agreement and (3) amounts due and payable pursuant to the Investor Management Agreement permitted to be paid pursuant to Section 6.09(iv);

(C) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to pay) franchise Taxes and other fees, Taxes, and expenses, required to maintain its corporate existence;

(D) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings to make Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08(a)(iv) or Section 6.08(a)(v);

(E) to finance any Investment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 6.04 (other than 6.04 (l) and, for the avoidance of doubt, including any Storage Investment; provided that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment and (B) other than with respect to a Storage Investment, Holdings or any Intermediate Parent shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (1) all property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests but not including any loans or advances made pursuant to Section 6.04(b)) to be contributed to the Parent Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries or (2) the Person formed or acquired to merge into or consolidate with the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such merger or consolidation is permitted in Section 6.03) in order to consummate such Investment, in each case in accordance with the requirements of Sections 5.11 and 5.12; and

(F) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) fees and expenses related to any equity or debt offering permitted by this Agreement;

(vii) in addition to the foregoing Restricted Payments and so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the Parent Borrower and any Intermediate Parent may make additional Restricted Payments to any Intermediate Parent and Holdings, the proceeds of which may be utilized by Holdings to make additional Restricted Payments or by Holdings or by any Intermediate Parent to make any payments in respect of any Permitted Holdings Debt, in an aggregate amount, when taken together with the aggregate amount of (1) prepayments, redemptions, purchases, defeasances and other payments in respect of Junior Financings made pursuant to Section 6.08(b)(iv) or (2) loans and advances to Holdings made pursuant to Section 6.04(l) in lieu of Restricted Payments permitted by this clause (vii), not to exceed the sum of (A) (x) $15,000,000 or (y) if the Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered is equal to or less than 2.50 to 1.00, $25,000,000 plus (B) the Available Amount that is Not Otherwise Applied; and

(viii) redemptions in whole or in part of any of its Equity Interests for another class of its Equity Interests or with proceeds from substantially concurrent equity contributions or issuances of new Equity Interests; provided that such new Equity Interests contain terms and provisions at least as advantageous to the Lenders in all respects material to their interests as those contained in the Equity Interests redeemed thereby.

 

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(b) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any other Restricted Subsidiary to, make or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on any Junior Financing, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Junior Financing, or any other payment (including any payment under any Swap Agreement) that has a substantially similar effect to any of the foregoing, except:

(i) payment of regularly scheduled interest and principal payments as, in the form of payment and when due in respect of any Indebtedness, other than payments in respect of any Junior Financing prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof;

(ii) refinancings of Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section 6.01;

(iii) the conversion of any Junior Financing to Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of Holdings or any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any Intermediate Parent; and

(iv) prepayments, redemptions, purchases, defeasances and other payments in respect of Junior Financings prior to their scheduled maturity in an aggregate amount, when taken together with the aggregate amount of (1) Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 6.08(a)(vii) and (2) loans and advances to Holdings made pursuant to Section 6.04(l) in lieu of Restricted Payments permitted by this clause (iv) not to exceed the sum of (A) (x) $10,000,000 or (y) if the Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered is equal to or less than 2.50 to 1.00, $20,000,000 plus (B) the Available Amount that is Not Otherwise Applied.

SECTION 6.09. Transactions with Affiliates . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (i) transactions with Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any Intermediate Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) on terms substantially as favorable to Holdings, the Parent Borrower, such Intermediate Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary as would be obtainable by such Person at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, (iii) the payment of fees and expenses related to the Transactions, (iv) the payment of management and monitoring fees to the Investors (or management companies of the Investors) in an aggregate amount in any fiscal year not to exceed the amount permitted to be paid pursuant to the Investor Management Agreement as in effect on the date hereof and any Investor Termination Fees not to exceed the amount set forth in the Investor Management Agreement as in effect on the date hereof and related indemnities and reasonable expenses, (v) issuances of Equity Interests of Holdings or the Parent Borrower to the extent otherwise permitted by this Agreement, (vi) employment and severance arrangements between Holdings, the Parent Borrower any Intermediate Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective officers and employees in the ordinary course of business or otherwise in connection with the Transactions (including loans and advances pursuant to Sections 6.04(b) and 6.04(n), (vii) payments by Holdings (and any direct or indirect parent thereof), the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing agreements among Holdings (and any such parent thereof), any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on customary terms to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted

 

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Subsidiaries, to the extent payments are permitted by Section 6.08, (viii) the payment of customary fees and reasonable out-of-pocket costs to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, directors, officers and employees of Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any Intermediate Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (ix) transactions pursuant to permitted agreements in existence or contemplated on the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.09 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not adverse to the Lenders in any material respect, (x) Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.08 and (xi) customary payments by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiaries to the Sponsors made for any financial advisory, consulting, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities (including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures), which payments are approved by the majority of the members of the board of directors or a majority of the disinterested members of the board of directors of Holdings in good faith.

SECTION 6.10. Restrictive Agreements . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary Loan Party to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets to secure the Secured Obligations or (b) the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to any Restricted Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) shall not apply to any such restrictions that (i) (x) exist on the date hereof and (to the extent not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.10) are listed on Schedule 6.10 and (y) any renewal or extension of a restriction permitted by clause (i)(x) or any agreement evidencing such restriction so long as such renewal or extension does not expand the scope of such restrictions, (ii) (x) are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such restrictions were not entered into solely in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (y) any renewal or extension of a restriction permitted by clause (ii)(x) or any agreement evidencing such restriction so long as such renewal or extension does not expand the scope of such restrictions, (iii) represent Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party that is permitted by Section 6.01, (iv) are customary restrictions that arise in connection with any Disposition permitted by Section 6.05 applicable pending such Disposition solely to the assets subject to such Disposition, (v) are customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures permitted under Section 6.04, (vi) are negative pledges and restrictions on Liens in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 but solely to the extent any negative pledge relates to the property financed by or securing such Indebtedness (and excluding in any event any Indebtedness constituting any Junior Financing), (vii) are imposed by Requirements of Law, (viii) are customary restrictions contained in leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions relate only to the assets subject thereto, (ix) comprise restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(v) to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (x) are customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (xi) are customary provisions restricting assignment of any license, lease or other agreement, (xii) are restrictions on cash (or Permitted Investments) or deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business (or otherwise constituting Permitted Encumbrances on such cash or Permitted Investments or deposits) or (xiii) are customary net worth provisions contained in real property leases or licenses of Intellectual Property entered into by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the Parent Borrower has determined in good faith that such net worth provisions could not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Parent Borrower and its subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligation.

 

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SECTION 6.11. Amendment of Junior Financing . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, amend, modify, waive, terminate or release the documentation governing any other Junior Financing, in each case if the effect of such amendment, modification, waiver, termination or release is materially adverse to the Lenders.

SECTION 6.12. Financial Covenant . If on the last day of any Test Period any Revolving Loans or more than $1,000,000 of Letters of Credit are outstanding (but not including any cash collateralized Letter of Credit exposure), the Parent Borrower will not permit the Secured Net Leverage Ratio to exceed 4.50 to 1.00 as of the last day of such Test Period.

SECTION 6.13. Changes in Fiscal Periods . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will make any change in fiscal year; provided , however , that Holdings and the Parent Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, change its fiscal year to any other fiscal year reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in which case, Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary to reflect such change in fiscal year.

ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

SECTION 7.01. Events of Default . If any of the following events (any such event, an “ Event of Default ”) shall occur:

(a) any Loan Party shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b) any Loan Party shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section) payable under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

(d) Holding, the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Sections 5.02, 5.04 (with respect to the existence of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary), 5.10 or in Article VI (other than Section 6.09); provided that (i) any Event of Default under Sections 6.12 is subject to cure as provided in Section 7.02 and an Event of Default with respect to such Section shall not occur until the expiration of the 10th day subsequent to the date the financial statements with respect to any fiscal quarter is required to be delivered and (ii) a default by the Borrower under

 

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Section 6.12 shall not constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Term Loans unless and until the Required Lenders with respect to the Revolving Loans shall have terminated their Revolving Commitments and declared all amounts under the Revolving Loans to be due and payable (such period commencing with a default under Section 6.12 and ending on the date on which the Required Lenders with respect to the Revolving Facility terminate and accelerate the Revolving Loans, the “ Term Loan Standstill Period ”);

(e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (d) of this Section), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Parent Borrower;

(f) Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable (after giving effect to any applicable grace period);

(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity, provided that this paragraph (g) shall not apply to (i) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the sale, transfer or other disposition (including as a result of a casualty or condemnation event) of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (to the extent such sale, transfer or other disposition is not prohibited under this Agreement) or (ii) termination events or similar events occurring under any Swap Agreement that constitutes Material Indebtedness (it being understood that paragraph (f) of this Section will apply to any failure to make any payment required as a result of any such termination or similar event);

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, court protection, reorganization or other relief in respect of Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or its debts, or of a material part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, examiner, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or for a material part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed or unstayed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i) Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, court protection, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in paragraph (h) of this Section, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, examiner, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or for a material part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding or (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

 

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(j) one or more enforceable judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $15,000,000 (to the extent not covered by insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment or order and has not denied coverage shall be rendered against Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any judgment creditor shall legally attach or levy upon assets of such Loan Party that are material to the businesses and operations of Holdings, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to enforce any such judgment;

(k) (i) an ERISA Event occurs that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party under Title IV of ERISA in an aggregate amount that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(l) any Lien purported to be created under any Security Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by any Loan Party not to be, a valid and perfected Lien on any material portion of the Collateral, with the priority required by the applicable Security Document, except (i) as a result of the sale or other disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents, (ii) as a result of the Administrative Agent’s failure to (A) maintain possession of any stock certificates, promissory notes or other instruments delivered to it under the Security Documents or (B) file Uniform Commercial Code continuation statements, (iii) as to Collateral consisting of real property to the extent that such losses are covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and such insurer has not denied coverage or (iv) as a result of acts or omissions of the Administrative Agent or any Lender;

(m) any material provision of any Loan Document or any Guarantee of the Loan Document Obligations shall for any reason be asserted by any Loan Party not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of any Loan Party thereto other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder;

(n) any Guarantees of the Loan Document Obligations by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or Subsidiary Loan Party pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement shall cease to be in full force and effect (in each case, other than in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents);

(o) a Change in Control shall occur;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to Holdings or the Parent Borrower described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders (or, if a Financial Performance Covenant Event of Default occurs and is continuing and prior to the expiration of the Term Loan Standstill Period, at the request of the Required Revolving Lenders only, and in such case only with respect to the Revolving Commitments, Swingline Commitments, and any Letters of Credit) shall, by notice to the Parent Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Parent Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable

 

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immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Parent Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to Holdings or the Parent Borrower described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Parent Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Parent Borrower.

SECTION 7.02. Right to Cure .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 7.01, in the event that the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries fail to comply with the requirements of the Financial Performance Covenant as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower, at any time after the beginning of such fiscal quarter until the expiration of the 10th day subsequent to the earlier of (i) the date on which a Compliance Certificate with respect to such fiscal quarter (or the fiscal year ended on the last day of such fiscal quarter) is delivered in accordance with Section 5.01(d) and (ii) the date on which the financial statements with respect to such fiscal quarter (or the fiscal year ended on the last day of such fiscal quarter) are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), as applicable, Holdings shall have the right to issue Qualified Equity Interests for cash or otherwise receive cash contributions to the capital of Holdings as cash common equity or other Qualified Equity Interests (which Holdings shall contribute through its subsidiaries of which the Parent Borrower is a subsidiary to the Borrower as cash common equity) (collectively, the “ Cure Right ”), and upon the receipt by the Parent Borrower of the Net Proceeds of such issuance that are Not Otherwise Applied (the “ Cure Amount ”) pursuant to the exercise by Holdings of such Cure Right such Financial Performance Covenant shall be recalculated giving effect to the following pro forma adjustment:

(1) Consolidated EBITDA shall be increased with respect to such applicable fiscal quarter and any four fiscal quarter period that contains such fiscal quarter, solely for the purpose of measuring the Financial Performance Covenant and not for any other purpose under this Agreement, by an amount equal to the Cure Amount; and

(2) if, after giving effect to the foregoing pro forma adjustment (without giving effect to any repayment of any Indebtedness with any portion of the Cure Amount or any portion of the Cure Amount on the balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, with respect to such fiscal quarter only), the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall then be in compliance with the requirements of the Financial Performance Covenants, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of the Financial Performance Covenant as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of the Financial Performance Covenant that had occurred shall be deemed cured for the purposes of this Agreement;

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) in each four consecutive fiscal quarter period of the Parent Borrower there shall be at least two fiscal quarters in which the Cure Right is not exercised, (ii) during the term of this Agreement, the Cure Right shall not be exercised more than five times and (iii) for purposes of this Section 7.02, the Cure Amount shall be no greater than the amount required for purposes of complying with the Financial Performance Covenant and any amounts in excess thereof shall not be deemed to be a Cure Amount. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Cure Amount received pursuant to any exercise of the Cure Right shall be disregarded for purposes of determining any financial ratio-based conditions, pricing or any available basket under Article VI of this Agreement and there shall not have been a breach of any covenant under Article VI of this Agreement by reason of having no longer included such Cure Amount in any basket during the relevant period.

 

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SECTION 7.03. Application of Proceeds .

After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 7.01, any amounts received on account of the Secured Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 4.02 of the Collateral Agreement and/or the similar provisions in the other Security Documents.

ARTICLE VIII

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as Administrative Agent in the heading of this Agreement to serve as administrative agent, collateral agent and trustee under the Loan Documents, and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and none of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any such provisions.

The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender or an Issuing Bank as any other Lender or Issuing Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or to exercise any discretionary power, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any other Subsidiary or any other Affiliate of any of the foregoing that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 2.05(j) or Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by Holdings, the Parent Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Bank, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement,

 

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warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or satisfaction of any condition that expressly refers to the matters described therein being acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not have any liability arising from any confirmation of the Revolving Exposure or the component amounts thereof.

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person (including, if applicable, a Responsible Officer or Financial Officer of such Person). The Administrative Agent also may rely, and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person (including, if applicable, a Financial Officer or a Responsible Officer of such Person). The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Parent Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

The Administrative Agent may perform any of and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any of and all their duties and exercise their rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign upon 30 days’ notice to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Parent Borrower. If the Administrative Agent becomes a Defaulting Lender and is not performing its role hereunder as Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may be removed as the Administrative Agent hereunder at the request of the Parent Borrower and the Required Lenders. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation or upon such removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the Parent Borrower’s consent, to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be an Approved Bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such Approved Bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by Holdings and the Parent Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

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Each Lender and each Issuing Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Joint Bookrunner or any other Lender or any Issuing Bank, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Joint Bookrunner or any other Lender or any Issuing Bank, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement and funding its Loans on the Effective Date, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption, Incremental Term Facility Amendment or Refinancing Amendment pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders on the Effective Date.

No Lender shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce any Guarantee of the Secured Obligations, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders in accordance with the terms thereof. In the event of a foreclosure by the Administrative Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition, and the Administrative Agent, as agent for and representative of the Lenders (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders at such sale or other disposition. Each Lender, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral and of the Guarantees of the Secured Obligations, to have agreed to the foregoing provisions.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither any Joint Bookrunner nor any Person named on the cover page of this Agreement as a Joint Lead Arranger or a Syndication Agent shall have any duties or obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except in its capacity, as applicable, as a Lender or an Issuing Bank), but all such Persons shall have the benefit of the indemnities provided for hereunder, including under Section 9.03, fully as if named as an indemnitee or indemnified person therein and irrespective of whether the indemnified losses, claims, damages, liabilities and/or related expenses arise out of, in connection with or as a result of matters arising prior to, on or after the effective date of any Loan Document.

To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. Without limiting or expanding the provisions of Section 2.17, each Lender shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent against, and shall make payable in respect thereof within 30 days after demand therefor, any and all Taxes and any and all related losses, claims, liabilities and expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent) incurred by or asserted against

 

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the Administrative Agent by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority as a result of the failure of the Administrative Agent to properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including, without limitation, because the appropriate form was not delivered or not property executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of withholding tax ineffective). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due the Administrative Agent under this paragraph. The agreements in this paragraph shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other obligations under any Loan Document.

Each party to this Agreement hereby appoints the Administrative Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the relevant Security Documents, acknowledges that the Administrative Agent is the beneficiary of the parallel debt referred to in the relevant Security Documents and the Administrative Agent will accept the parallel debt arrangements reflected in the relevant Security Documents on its behalf and will enter into the relevant Security Documents as pledgee in its own name.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.01. Notices . Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax or other electronic transmission, as follows:

(a) If to Holdings, to SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., 39870 Eureka Drive, Newark, California, 94560-4809, Attention: Bruce Goldberg, Fax 510-624-8231, Email: bruce.goldberg@smartm.com or if to the Parent Borrower, to SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., 39870 Eureka Drive, Newark, California, 94560-4809, Attention: Bruce Goldberg, Fax 510-624-8231, Email: bruce.goldberg@smartm.com;

(b) If to the Administrative Agent, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 1111 Fannin Street, Floor 10, Houston, TX, 77002-6925, Attention: Yi-Chun Kuo, Fax: 713-750-2878, Email: yi-chun.kuo@jpmchase.com; with a copy to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 1111 Fannin Street, Floor 10, Houston, TX, 77002-6925, Attention: Maryann T Bui, Fax: 713-750-2878, Email: maryann.t.bui@jpmchase.com; with an additional copy to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 24, New York, NY 10179, Attention: Goh Siew Tan; Fax: 212-270-5127; Email: gohsiew.tan@jpmorgan.com;

(c) if to any Issuing Bank, to it at its address (or fax number or email address) most recently specified by it in a notice delivered to the Administrative Agent, Holdings and the Parent Borrower (or, in the absence of any such notice, to the address (or fax number or email address) set forth in the Administrative Questionnaire of the Lender that is serving as such Issuing Bank or is an Affiliate thereof);

(d) if to any Swingline Lenders, to it at its address (or fax number or email address) most recently specified by it in a notice delivered to the Administrative Agent, Holdings and the

 

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Parent Borrower (or, in the absence of any such notice, to the address (or fax number or email address) set forth in the Administrative Questionnaire of the Lender that is serving as such Swingline Lender or is an Affiliate thereof); and

(e) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or fax number or email address) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by fax or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient).

Holdings and the Parent Borrower may change their address, email or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may change its address, email or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to Holdings and the Parent Borrower and the Lenders may change their address, email or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Administrative Agent. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereunder may also be delivered or furnished by electronic transmission (including email and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to Article II if such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic transmission.

SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments .

(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time. No notice or demand on the Borrower or Holdings in any case shall entitle the Borrower or Holdings to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) Except as provided in Section 2.20 with respect to any Incremental Term Loans, Section 2.21 with respect to any Refinancing Amendment, neither any Loan Document nor any provision thereof may be waived, amended or modified except, in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Required Lenders or, in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto, in each case with the consent of the Required Lenders, provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender (it being understood that a waiver of any condition

 

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precedent set forth in Section 4.02 or the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Commitment of any Lender), (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that any change to the definition of Secured Net Leverage Ratio or in the component definitions thereof shall not constitute a reduction of interest or fees), provided that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to waive any obligation of the Parent Borrower to pay default interest pursuant to Section 2.13(c), (iii) postpone the maturity of any Loan, or the date of any scheduled amortization payment of the principal amount of any Term Loan under Section 2.10 or the applicable Refinancing Amendment, or the reimbursement date with respect to any LC Disbursement, or any date for the payment of any interest or fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of the Lenders holding a Majority in Interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of each adversely affected Class, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, provided that any such change which is in favor of a Class of Lenders holding Loans maturing after the maturity of other Classes of Lenders (and only takes effect after the maturity of such other Classes of Loans or Commitments will require the written consent of the Required Lenders with respect to each Class directly and adversely affected thereby, (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section or the percentage set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (or each Lender of such Class, as the case may be), (vii) release all or substantially all the value of the Guarantees under the Guarantee Agreement (except as expressly provided in the Guarantee Agreement) without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender), (viii) release all or substantially all the Collateral from the Liens of the Security Documents, without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) (except as expressly provided in the Security Documents), (ix) change any provisions of any Loan Document in a manner that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of payments due to Lenders holding Loans of any Class differently than those holding Loans of any other Class, without the written consent of Lenders (other than a Defaulting Lender) holding a Majority in Interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of each affected Class, (x) modify the protections afforded to an SPV pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.04(e) without the written consent of such SPV or (xi) change the rights of the Term Lenders to decline mandatory prepayments as provided in Section 2.11 or the rights of any Additional Lenders of any Class to decline mandatory prepayments of Term Loans of such Class as provided in the applicable Refinancing Amendment, without the written consent of a Majority in Interest of the Term Lenders or Additional Lenders of such Class, as applicable; provided further that (A) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Swingline Lender, as the case may be, and (B) any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be amended by an agreement in writing entered into by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency so long as, in each case, the Lenders shall have received at least five Business Days’ prior written notice thereof and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date of such notice to the Lenders, a written notice from the Required Lenders stating that the Required Lenders object to such amendment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent, Holdings and the Parent Borrower (i) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (ii) to include appropriately the Lenders

 

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holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Lenders prior to such inclusion, (b) guarantees, collateral security documents and related documents executed by Foreign Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement may be in a form reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and may be, together with this Agreement, amended and waived with the consent of the Administrative Agent at the request of the Parent Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any other Lender if such amendment or waiver is delivered in order (i) to comply with local law or advice of local counsel, (ii) to cure ambiguities or defects or (iii) to cause such guarantee, collateral security document or other document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (c) this Agreement and other Loan Documents may be amended or supplemented by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Loan Party as to which such agreement or agreements is to apply, without the need to obtain the consent of any Lender, to include “parallel debt” or similar provisions, and any authorizations or granting of powers by the Lenders and the other Secured Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent, in each case required to create in favor of the Administrative Agent any security interest contemplated to be created under this Agreement, or to perfect any such security interest, where the Administrative Agent shall have been advised by its counsel that such provisions are necessary or advisable under local law for such purpose (with Holdings and the Parent Borrower hereby agreeing to, and to cause their subsidiaries to, enter into any such agreement or agreements upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent promptly upon such request). Notwithstanding the foregoing (x) amendments to or waivers of Section 6.12 (or any component definition thereof as it relates to Section 6.12) will require only the written approval of a Majority in Interest of the outstanding Revolving Commitments and the Parent Borrower and (y) any change to the provisions of Section 4.02 of the Collateral Agreement and/or any change to similar provisions in the other Security Documents, will require the written approval of each Revolving Lender.

(c) In connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination (a “ Proposed Change ”) requiring the consent of all Lenders or all directly and adversely affected Lenders, if the consent of the Required Lenders (and, to the extent any Proposed Change requires the consent of Lenders holding Loans of any Class pursuant to clause (iv), (vii) or (ix) of paragraph (b) of this Section, the consent of a Majority in Interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of such Class) to such Proposed Change is obtained, but the consent to such Proposed Change of other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is not obtained as described in paragraph (b) of this Section being referred to as a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”), then, so long as the Lender that is acting as Administrative Agent is not a Non-Consenting Lender, the Parent Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Non-Consenting Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Non-Consenting Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which Eligible Assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that (a) the Parent Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent to the extent such consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable (and, if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, each Principal Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (b) such Non-Consenting Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the Eligible Assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Parent Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (c) unless waived, the Parent Borrower or such Eligible Assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b).

(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary, the Revolving Commitments, Term Loans and Revolving Exposure of any Lender that is at the time (i) an Affiliated Lender (other than a Silver Lake Debt Fund) or (ii) a Defaulting Lender shall not have

 

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any voting or approval rights under the Loan Documents and shall be excluded in determining whether all Lenders (or all Lenders of a Class), all affected Lenders (or all affected Lenders of a Class), a Majority in Interest of Lenders of any Class or the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to this Section 9.02); provided that any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

(e) In the event that S&P, Moody’s and Thompson’s BankWatch (or InsuranceWatch Ratings Service, in the case of Lenders that are insurance companies (or Best’s Insurance Reports, if such insurance company is not rated by Insurance Watch Ratings Service)) shall, after the date that any Lender becomes a Revolving Lender, downgrade the long term certificate deposit ratings of such Lender, and the resulting ratings shall be below BBB-, Baa3 and C (or BB, in the case of a Lender that is an insurance company (or B, in the case of an insurance company not rated by InsuranceWatch Ratings Service)), then each Principal Issuing Bank shall have the right, but not the obligation, at its own expense, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, to replace such Lender with an Eligible Assignee (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in paragraph (b) above), and such Lender hereby agrees to transfer and assign without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in paragraph (b) above) all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to such Eligible Assignee; provided , however , that (i) no such assignment shall conflict with any law, rule and regulation or order of any Governmental Authority, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the Eligible Assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Parent Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), (iii) the Principal Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and such Eligible Assignee shall have received the prior written consent of the Parent Borrower to the extent such consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld and (iv) the Parent Borrower or such Eligible Assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b).

(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary, each Affiliated Lender (other than a Silver Lake Debt Fund) hereby agrees that, if a proceeding under the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law shall be commenced by or against the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party at a time when such Lender is an Affiliated Lender, such Affiliated Lender irrevocably authorizes and empowers the Administrative Agent to vote on behalf of such Affiliated Lender with respect to the Loans held by such Affiliated Lender in any manner in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, unless the Administrative Agent instructs such Affiliated Lender to vote, in which case such Affiliated Lender shall vote with respect to the Loans held by it as the Administrative Agent directs; provided that such Affiliated Lender shall be entitled to vote in accordance with its sole discretion (and not in accordance with the direction of the Administrative Agent) in connection with any plan of reorganization to the extent any such plan of reorganization proposes to treat any Secured Obligations held by such Affiliated Lender in a manner that is less favorable in any material respect to such Affiliated Lender than the proposed treatment of similar Secured Obligations held by Lenders that are not Affiliates of the Borrower.

SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

(a) The Parent Borrower shall pay, if the Effective Date occurs, (i) all reasonable and documented out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (without duplication), including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel llp and to the extent reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be necessary one local counsel in each

 

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applicable jurisdiction, in each case for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented or invoiced out of-pocket expenses incurred by each Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable and documented or invoiced out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit; provided that such counsel shall be limited to one lead counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction and, in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel per affected party.

(b) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable and documented out of pocket fees and expenses of one counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction (and, in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel) for all Indemnitees (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of any Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties to the Loan Documents of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) to the extent in any way arising from or relating to any of the foregoing, any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on, at, to or from any Mortgaged Property or any other property currently or formerly owned or operated by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any other Environmental Liability related in any way to Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (i) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of, or a material breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties or (ii) any dispute between and among indemnified persons that does not involve an act or omission by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries except that each Agent and Joint Lead Arrangers shall be indemnified in their capacities as such.

(c) To the extent that the Parent Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, any Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, and without limiting the Parent Borrower’s obligation to do so, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, such Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, such Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank in its capacity as such. For purposes hereof, a Lender’s “pro rata share” shall be determined based upon its share of the aggregate Revolving

 

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Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments at the time. The obligations of the Lenders under this paragraph (c) are subject to the last sentence of Section 2.02(a) (which shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Lenders’ obligations under this paragraph (c)).

(d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, none of Holdings or the Parent Borrower shall assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such damages are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of, or a breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties, or (ii) on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than 10 Business Days after written demand therefor; provided , however , that any Indemnitee shall promptly refund an indemnification payment received hereunder to the extent that there is a final judicial determination that such Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification with respect to such payment pursuant to this Section 9.03.

SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns .

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Parent Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Parent Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraphs (b)(ii) and (g) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent (except with respect to assignments to competitors of the Parent Borrower) not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of (A) the Parent Borrower, provided that no consent of the Parent Borrower shall be required during the first 30 days after the Effective Date, for an assignment by a Term Lender to any Lender or an Affiliate of any Lender, by a Term Lender to an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee; and provided further that the Parent Borrower shall have the right to withhold its consent to any assignment if, in order for such assignment to comply with applicable law, the Parent Borrower would be required to obtain the consent of, or make any filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority, (B) the Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or to the Parent Borrower or any Affiliate thereof and (C) each Principal Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender, provided that no consent of any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term

 

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Loan or Term Commitment. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9.04 to the contrary, if any Person the consent of which is required by this paragraph with respect to any assignment of Term Loans has not given the Administrative Agent written notice of its objection to such assignment within 10 Business Days after written notice to such Person, such Person shall be deemed to have consented to such assignment.

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions: (A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the trade date specified in the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment or, if no trade date is so specified, as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than, in the case of a Revolving Loan or Revolving Commitment, $2,500,000 or, in the case of a Term Loan, $1,000,000, unless the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), provided that no such consent of the Parent Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing, (B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause (B) shall not be construed to prohibit assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans, (C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together (unless waived by the Administrative Agent) with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, provided that assignments made pursuant to Section 2.19(b) or Section 9.02(c) shall not require the signature of the assigning Lender to become effective, (D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent any tax forms required by Section 2.17(e) and an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Parent Borrower, the Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws and (E) unless the Parent Borrower otherwise consents, no assignment of all or any portion of the Revolving Commitment of a Lender that is also a Swingline Lender or an Issuing Bank may be made unless (1) the assignee shall be or become a Swingline Lender and/or an Issuing Bank, as applicable, and assume a ratable portion of the rights and obligations of such assignor in its capacity as Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, or (2) the assignor agrees, in its discretion, to retain all of its rights with respect to and obligations to make or issue Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit, as applicable, hereunder in which case the Applicable Fronting Exposure of such assignor may exceed such assignor’s Revolving Commitment for purposes of Sections 2.04(a) and 2.05(b) by an amount not to exceed the difference between the assignor’s Revolving Commitment prior to such assignment and the assignor’s Revolving Commitment following such assignment; provided that no such consent of the Parent Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(g) or (h) has occurred and is continuing.

(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(v) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of (and subject to the obligations and limitations of) Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and to any fees payable hereunder that have accrued for such Lender’s account but have not yet been paid). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations

 

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under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c)(i) of this Section.

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Parent Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Parent Borrower, the Issuing Banks and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire and any tax forms required by Section 2.17(e) (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(vi) The words “execution”, “signed”, “signature” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

(c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lenders, sell participations to one or more banks or other Persons (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it), provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents, provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that directly and adversely affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Parent Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of (and subject to the obligations and limitations of) Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender.

 

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(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or Section 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior consent. A Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agreed, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 2.17(e) as though it were a Lender.

(d) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent, at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest, provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “ Granting Lender ”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “ SPV ”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, the option to provide to the Parent Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Parent Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. The making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender). In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPV, such party will not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPV any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.04, any SPV may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by the Parent Borrower and Administrative Agent) providing liquidity or credit support to or for the account of such SPV to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPV.

(f) Any Lender may, at any time, assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to the Sponsors or any of their respective Affiliates (other than Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries) subject to the following limitations:

(1) Affiliated Lenders will not receive information provided solely to Lenders by the Administrative Agent or any Lender and will not be permitted to attend or participate in meetings attended solely by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, other than the right to receive notices of Borrowings, notices of prepayments and other administrative notices in respect of its Loans or Commitments required to be delivered to Lenders pursuant to Article II; provided ,

 

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however , that the foregoing provisions of this clause (1) will apply to the Silver Lake Debt Funds only to the extent that the Administrative Agent has determined in good faith that affording such rights to the Silver Lake Debt Funds during a period or in connection with a matter or matters being considered by Lenders would be inadvisable in light of the Silver Lake Debt Funds’ status as an Affiliated Lender (in which case the Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Silver Lake Debt Funds that are Lenders of such determination);

(2) for purposes of any amendment, waiver or modification of any Loan Document (including such modifications pursuant to Section 9.02), or, subject to Section 9.02(f), any plan of reorganization pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, that in either case does not require the consent of each Lender or each affected Lender or does not adversely affect such Affiliated Lender in any material respect as compared to other Lenders, Affiliated Lenders will be deemed to have voted in the same proportion as the Lenders that are not Affiliated Lenders voting on such matter; and each Affiliated Lender hereby acknowledges, agrees and consents that if, for any reason, its vote to accept or reject any plan pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code is not deemed to have been so voted, then such vote will be (x) deemed not to be in good faith and (y) “designated” pursuant to Section 1126(e) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code such that the vote is not counted in determining whether the applicable class has accepted or rejected such plan in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code; provided that Affiliated Debt Funds will not be subject to such voting limitations and will be entitled to vote as any other Lender;

(3) Affiliated Lenders may not purchase Revolving Loans by assignment pursuant to this Section 9.04;

(4) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans purchased by assignment pursuant to this Section 9.04 and held at any one time by Affiliated Lenders (other than Silver Lake Debt Funds) may not exceed 20% of the original principal amount of all Term Loans on the Effective Date plus the original principal amount of all term loans made pursuant to an Incremental Term Loan; and

(g) Notwithstanding anything in Section 9.02 or the definition of “Required Lenders” to the contrary, for purposes of determining whether the Required Lenders have (i) consented (or not consented) to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any of the terms of any Loan Document or any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, (ii) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document, or (iii) directed or required the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, all Term Loans held by any Affiliated Lenders that are not Silver Lake Debt Funds shall be deemed to be not outstanding for all purposes of calculating whether the Required Lenders have taken any actions.

SECTION 9.05. Survival . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive

 

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and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, in the event that, in connection with the refinancing or repayment in full of the credit facilities provided for herein, an Issuing Bank shall have provided to the Administrative Agent a written consent to the release of the Revolving Lenders from their obligations hereunder with respect to any Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (whether as a result of the obligations of the Parent Borrower (and any other account party) in respect of such Letter of Credit having been collateralized in full by a deposit of cash with such Issuing Bank or being supported by a letter of credit that names such Issuing Bank as the beneficiary thereunder, or otherwise), then from and after such time such Letter of Credit shall cease to be a “Letter of Credit” outstanding hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the Revolving Lenders shall be deemed to have no participations in such Letter of Credit, and no obligations with respect thereto, under Section 2.05(e) or (f).

SECTION 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or the syndication of the Loans and Commitments constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 9.07. Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff . If an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, any such Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Parent Borrower then due and owing under this Agreement held by such Lender or Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or Issuing Bank different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness. The applicable Lender and applicable Issuing Bank shall notify the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such setoff and application, provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such setoff and application under this Section. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates may have.

 

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SECTION 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .

(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b) Each of Holdings and each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in any Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to any Loan Document against Holdings, the Borrowers or their respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each of Holdings and each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in any Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

SECTION 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

SECTION 9.11. Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 9.12. Confidentiality .

(a) Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, trustees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other agents and advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure

 

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is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential and any failure of such Persons to comply with this Section 9.12 shall constitute a breach of this Section 9.12 by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the relevant Lender, as applicable), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority required by applicable law or by any subpoena or similar legal process provided that unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall notify the Parent Borrower of any request by any governmental agency or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with an examination of the financial condition of such Lender by such governmental agency or other routine examinations of such Lender by such governmental agency) for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of such information, and provided , further , that in no event shall any Lender or the Administrative Agent be obligated or required to return any materials furnished by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary of Holdings, (c) to any other party to this Agreement, (d) subject to an agreement containing confidentiality undertakings substantially similar to those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any Swap Agreement relating to any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries and its obligations under the Loan Documents, (e) with the consent of the Parent Borrower, in the case of Information provided by Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower or any other Subsidiary, or (f) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than Holdings or the Parent Borrower. For the purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from Holdings or the Parent Borrower relating to Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any Subsidiary or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by Holdings or the Parent Borrower, provided that, in the case of information received from Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

(b) EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 9.12(a) FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING HOLDINGS, THE BORROWERS, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

(c) ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS FURNISHED BY THE BORROWERS OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT, WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT HOLDINGS, THE BORROWERS, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWERS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

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SECTION 9.13. USA Patriot Act . Each Lender and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the USA Patriot Act.

SECTION 9.14. Judgment Currency .

(a) If, for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum owing hereunder in one currency into another currency, each party hereto agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction the first currency could be purchased with such other currency on the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which final judgment is given.

(b) The obligations of the Borrowers in respect of any sum due to any party hereto or any holder of any obligation owing hereunder (the “ Applicable Creditor ”) shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “ Judgment Currency ”) other than the currency in which such sum is stated to be due hereunder (the “ Agreement Currency ”), be discharged only to the extent that, on the Business Day following receipt by the Applicable Creditor of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Applicable Creditor may in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency; if the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Applicable Creditor in the Agreement Currency, the Borrowers agree, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Applicable Creditor against such loss. The obligations of the Borrowers under this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of all other amounts owing hereunder.

SECTION 9.15. Release of Liens and Guarantees . A Subsidiary Loan Party (other than a Borrower) shall automatically be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, and all security interests created by the Security Documents in Collateral owned by such Subsidiary Loan Party shall be automatically released, (1) upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by this Agreement as a result of which such Subsidiary Loan Party ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary (including pursuant to a merger with a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party or a designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) or (2) upon the request of the Borrower, in connection with a transaction permitted under this Agreement, as a result of which such Subsidiary Loan party ceases to be a wholly-owned Subsidiary. Upon any sale or other transfer by any Loan Party (other than to Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower or any other Subsidiary Loan Party) of any Collateral in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, or upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest created under any Security Document in any Collateral or the release of any Loan Party from its Guarantee under the Guarantee Agreement pursuant to Section 9.02, the security interests in such Collateral created by the Security Documents or such guarantee shall be automatically released. Upon termination of the aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit including as a result of obtaining the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank as described in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement), all obligations under the Loan Documents and all security interests created by the Security Documents shall be automatically released. In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

 

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SECTION 9.16. No Fiduciary Relationship . Each of Holdings and each Borrower, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, agrees that in connection with all aspects of the transactions contemplated hereby and any communications in connection therewith, Holdings, each Borrower, the other Subsidiaries and their Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their Affiliates, on the other hand, will have a business relationship that does not create, by implication or otherwise, any fiduciary duty on the part of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or their Affiliates, and no such duty will be deemed to have arisen in connection with any such transactions or communications.

SECTION 9.17. Obligation Joint and Several . The Borrowers shall have joint and several liability in respect of all Obligations in respect of the Loans (the “ Loan Obligations ”) hereunder and under any other Loan Document to which any Borrower is a party, without regard to any defense (other than the defense that payment in full has been made), setoff or counterclaim which may at any time be available to or be asserted by any other Loan Party against the Lenders, or by any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of the Borrowers) which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of the Borrowers’ liability hereunder, in bankruptcy or in any other instance, and the Loan Obligations of the Borrowers hereunder shall not be conditioned or contingent upon the pursuit by the Lenders or any other person at any time of any right or remedy against the Borrowers or against any other person which may be or become liable in respect of all or any part of the Loan Obligations or against any Collateral or Guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto. The Borrowers hereby acknowledge that this Agreement is the independent and several obligation of each Borrower (regardless of which Borrower shall have delivered a requests for borrowings under Section 2.03) and may be enforced against each Borrower separately, whether or not enforcement of any right or remedy hereunder has been sought against any other Borrower. Each Borrower hereby expressly waives, with respect to any of the Loans made to any other Borrower hereunder and any of the amounts owing hereunder by such other Loan Parties in respect of such Loans, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any Lender exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against such other Loan Parties under this Agreement or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or against any other person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of such amounts owing hereunder.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

EXECUTED AS A DEED BY
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (GLOBAL), INC.
By:   /s/ Iain MacKenzie
  Name:   Iain MacKenzie
  Title:   Sole Director
By:   /s/ Elizabeth Orso
  Witness
  Name:   Elizabeth Orso
  Title:   Paralegal
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:   /s/ Iain MacKenzie
  Name:   Iain MacKenzie
  Title:   Director, CEO, President
EXECUTED AS A DEED BY
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (GLOBAL MEMORY HOLDINGS), INC.
By:   /s/ Iain MacKenzie
  Name:   Iain MacKenzie
  Title:  
By:   /s/ Elizabeth Orso
  Witness
  Name:   Elizabeth Orso
  Title:   Paralegal

 

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JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as a Lender and as Administrative Agent,
By:  

/s/ Goh Siew Tan

  Name: Goh Siew Tan
  Title: Vice President

 

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UBS LOAN FINANCE LLC, as a Lender,
By:   /s/ Mary E. Evans
  Name:   Mary E. Evans
  Title:   Associate Director
By:   /s/ Irja R. Otsa
  Name:   Irja R. Otsa
  Title:   Associate Director

 

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BANCO DO BRASIL - NEW YORK

BRANCH, as a Lender,

By:  

/s/ Oswaldo Parre dos Santos

  Name:   Oswaldo Parre dos Santos
  Title:   General Manager
By:  

/s/ João Carlos Telles

  Name:   João Carlos Telles
  Title:   Deputy General Manager

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT - SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc. August 2011]


WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as a Lender,
By:  

/s/ Karen Byler

  Name:   Karen Byler
  Title:   SVP

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


Annex I

Amortization Table

 

Date

   Term Loan
Amount
 

November 30, 2011

   $ 775,000.00  

February 29, 2012

   $ 775,000.00  

May 31, 2012

   $ 775,000.00  

August 31, 2012

   $ 775,000.00  

November 30, 2012

   $ 2,325,000.00  

February 28, 2013

   $ 2,325,000.00  

May 31, 2013

   $ 2,325,000.00  

August 31, 2013

   $ 2,325,000.00  

November 30, 2013

   $ 2,712,500.00  

February 28, 2014

   $ 2,712,500.00  

May 31, 2014

   $ 2,712,500.00  

August 31, 2014

   $ 2,712,500.00  

November 30, 2014

   $ 3,875,000.00  

February 28, 2015

   $ 3,875,000.00  

May 31, 2015

   $ 3,875,000.00  

August 31, 2015

   $ 3,875,000.00  

November 30, 2015

   $ 3,875,000.00  

February 29, 2016

   $ 3,875,000.00  

May 31, 2016

   $ 3,875,000.00  

August 31, 2016

   $ 3,875,000.00  

November 30, 2016

   $ 3,875,000.00  

February 28, 2017

   $ 3,875,000.00  

May 31, 2017

   $ 3,875,000.00  

August 31, 2017

   $ 244,125,000.00  


Schedules to the SMART Credit Agreement


Schedule 1.01(a)

Excluded Subsidiaries

Each Subsidiary listed on this Schedule shall be deemed to be an Excluded Subsidiary under clause (b) of the definition of such term only for so long as such Subsidiary does not cease to be an Excluded Subsidiary.

SMART Modular Technologies (Lux) S.a.r.l.

SMART Modular Technologies (SG) PTE. LTD.


Schedule 1.01(b)

Existing Letters of Credit

 

LC #

  

Beneficiary

   SMART Entity    Issuing Bank    Issue Date    Expiration Date    LC Amount  

NZS666846

   RREEF America REIT III-ZI LLC    SMART Modular
Technologies, Inc.
   Wells Fargo Bank,
N.A.
   September 8, 2010    February 1, 2012    $ 168,625  


Schedule 2.01

Commitments

 

Lender

   Initial Term Loan Commitments  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $ 145,000,000.00  

UBS AG, Stamford Branch

   $ 145,000,000.00  

Banco do Brasil—New York Branch

   $ 20,000,000.00  

TOTAL

   $ 310,000,000.00  

Lender

   Revolving Credit Commitments  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $ 17,500,000.00  

UBS AG, Stamford Branch

   $ 17,500,000.00  

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

   $ 15,000,000.00  

TOTAL

   $ 50,000,000.00  


Schedule 3.12

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiary

  

Jurisdiction of

Organization

  

Percentage

Ownership

     
SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.    Cayman Islands    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (DH), Inc.    Cayman Islands    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (CI), Inc.    Cayman Islands    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (DE), Inc.    Delaware    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (Foreign Holdings), Limited    Cayman Islands    100%
SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.    California    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (Europe) Limited    United Kingdom    100%
SMART Modular Technologies GmbH    Germany    100%
ConXtra Inc.    California    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (Puerto Rico) Inc.    Cayman Islands    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (NL) B.V.    Netherlands    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (SG), PTE. LTD.    Singapore    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (Lux) S.a r.l.    Luxembourg    100%
SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd.    Malaysia    100%
SMART Modular Technologies do Brasil—Indústria e Comércio de Componentes Ltda.    Brazil    99.9% owned by SMART (NL); 0.1% owned by SMART (Puerto Rico)
SMART Modular Technologies Indústria de Componentes Eletrônicos Ltda.    Brazil    99.9% owned by SMART (NL); 0.1% owned by SMART (Puerto Rico)


Schedule 5.14

Certain Post-Closing Obligations

Notwithstanding any conditions precedent, representations and covenants in the Loan Documents to the contrary (each such condition, representation and covenant deemed modified to the extent necessary to effect the following, and to permit the taking of the actions described herein within the time periods described herein), the Parent Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party to, as promptly as possible, but in no event later than the number of days after the Effective Date applicable to each item set forth below, take the actions or deliver the items described below; provided , that in each case the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree in writing to extend the number of days for compliance therewith (including to reasonably accommodate circumstances unforeseen on the Effective Date).

1. Within 60 days after the Effective Date, the applicable Loan Parties shall have (i) filed and registered in accordance with applicable foreign law the Security Documents pursuant to which the applicable Loan Parties grant a security interest in the assets, receivables and quotas of SMART Modular Technologies do Brasil- Industria e Comercio de Componentes Ltda. and SMART Modular Technologies Industria de Componentes Eletronicos Ltda as executed on the Effective Date, (ii) executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent an intellectual property security agreement granting as Collateral a valid, perfected security interest in the intellectual property registered in Brazil held by the applicable Loan Parties and (iii) received a written legal opinion, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, of Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados, with respect to such matters related to the security agreements described in clause (ii) above as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory thereto.

2. Within 60 days after the Effective Date, the applicable Loan Parties shall have filed and registered in accordance with applicable foreign law the fully executed Memorandum of Deposit delivered to the Administrative Agent granting as Collateral a valid, perfected security interest in the Equity Interests held by the applicable Loan Parties in SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd (the “ Memorandum of Deposit ”).

3. Within 60 days after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed trust agreement, security document or pledge agreement delivered in accordance with applicable foreign law to grant a valid, perfected security interest as collateral in the Equity Interests and assets held by the applicable Loan Parties in SMART Modular Technologies (Europe) Limited, a company registered under the laws of England and Wales, and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

4. Within 14 days after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received certificates, if any, representing all of the Equity Interests of each of the Loan Parties (other than Holdings) together with undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of the holder(s) of such Equity Interests and other customary ancillary documentation, including any documents required under Section 3.4 of the Memorandum of Deposit (with the exception of certificates, undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer and other customary ancillary documentation related to the pledge of shares of SMART Modular Technologies (Europe) Limited which shall be executed and delivered within 60 days after the Effective Date).


Schedule 6.01

Existing Indebtedness

 

Agreement

   Date      Loan Party   Lender   Amount
Outstanding
 

Loan Agreement

     August 23, 2011      SMART
Modular
Technologies
(Puerto Rico)
Inc.
  Puerto Rico
Branch of
SMART
Modular
Technologies
(Puerto Rico)
Inc.
  $ 16,463,603  

Loan Agreement

     August 19, 2011      SMART
Modular
Technologies
(CI), Inc.
  SMART
Modular
Technologies
(Foreign
Holdings),
Limited
  $ 16,903,000  

Loan Agreement

     August 22, 2011      SMART
Modular
Technologies
(CI), Inc.
  SMART
Modular
Technologies
(Foreign
Holdings),
Limited
  $ 23,195,000  

Loan Agreement

     August 25, 2011      SMART
Modular
Technologies
(CI), Inc.
  SMART
Modular
Technologies
(Foreign
Holdings),
Limited
  $ 41,363,603  


Schedule 6.02

Existing Liens

None.


Schedule 6.04(e)

Existing Investments

 

LC #

   Beneficiary    SMART Entity    Issuing
Bank
   Issue Date    Expiration
Date
   LC
Amount
                 

NZS666846

   RREEF America
REIT III-ZI LLC
   SMART Modular
Technologies, Inc.
   Wells Fargo
Bank, N.A.
   September 8, 2010    February 1, 2012    $168,625

 

Agreement

   Date    Loan Party   Lender   Amount
Outstanding
 

Loan Agreement

   August 23,
2011
   SMART Modular
Technologies
(Puerto Rico) Inc.
  Puerto Rico Branch
of SMART Modular
Technologies
(Puerto Rico) Inc.
  $ 16,463,603  

Loan Agreement

   August 19,
2011
   SMART Modular
Technologies (CI),
Inc.
  SMART Modular
Technologies
(Foreign Holdings),
Limited
  $ 16,903,000  

Loan Agreement

   August 22,
2011
   SMART Modular
Technologies (CI),
Inc.
  SMART Modular
Technologies
(Foreign Holdings),
Limited
  $ 23,195,000  

Loan Agreement

   August 25,
2011
   SMART Modular
Technologies (CI),
Inc.
  SMART Modular
Technologies
(Foreign Holdings),
Limited
  $ 41,363,603  

 

- 10 -


Schedule 6.09

Existing Affiliate Transactions

 

1. Global Shared Services Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2011, by and between SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc. and SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings)

 

2. Malaysia Manufacturing Services Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2011, by and between SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd. and SMART Storage Systems Sdn. Bhd.

 

3. Malaysia Shared Services Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2011, by and between SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd. and SMART Storage Systems Sdn. Bhd.

 

4. Newark Manufacturing Services Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2011, by and between SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. and SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc.

 

5. Agreement for Technology Transfer of Beneficial Ownership in Intangible Property Associated with Enterprise Storage Products, dated as of August 19, 2011, by and among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., SMART Storage Systems (AZ), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd. and SMART Storage Systems LLC.

 

6. Intellectual Property Cross-License Agreement, dated August 26, 2011 among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd., SMART Storage Systems (AZ), Inc. and SMART Storage Systems, LLC.


Schedule 6.10

Existing Restrictions

None.


EXHIBIT A

[Form of] ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION 1

This Assignment and Assumption (the “ Assignment and Assumption ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the “ Assignor ”) and [Insert name of Assignee] (the “ Assignee ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the credit facility identified below (including any guarantees included in such facility) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “ Assigned Interest ”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

  1. Assignor: ______________________________________________________________

 

  2. Assignee: ______________________________________________________________
  [and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [Identify Lender]] 2

 

  3. Parent Borrower: SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.

 

  4. Administrative Agent: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement

 

  5. Credit Agreement: The Credit Agreement dated as August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

 

 

1 Form to be used for any Lender other than a Lender that is also a Swingline Lender or an Issuing Bank.
2 Select as applicable.

 

 

A-1


  6. Assigned Interest:

 

Facility Assigned

   Aggregate Amount
of Commitment (and
related extensions of
credit) for all
Lenders
     Amount of
Commitment (and
related extensions of
credit) Assigned
     Percentage
Assigned of
Commitment
(and related
extensions of
credit) 3
 

Revolving Credit Facility

   $      $        %  

Term Loan Facility

   $      $        %  

Each Assignee acknowledges the limitations on the rights of Lenders that are Affiliated Lenders set forth in the Credit Agreement, including in Sections 9.02 and 9.04 thereof.

Effective Date:                     , 20     [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR].

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

3   Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment of all Lenders thereunder.

 

 

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The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR [NAME OF ASSIGNOR],
By:  

 

  Title:
ASSIGNEE [NAME OF ASSIGNEE],
By:  

 

  Title:

 

[Consented to and] 4 Accepted:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as
Administrative Agent,
By:  

 

  Title:
[Consented to:] 5
EXECUTED AS A DEED BY
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (GLOBAL), INC.
By:  

 

  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Title:

 

4 To be included only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by Section 9.04(b)(i)(B) of the Credit Agreement.
5 To be included only if the consent of the Parent Borrower is required by Section 9.04(b)(i)(A) of the Credit Agreement.

 

 

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Consented to:
[                     ] 6 , as a Principal Issuing Bank
By:  

 

  Title:
Consented to:
[                     ] 7 , as the Swingline Lender
By:  

 

  Title:

 

6 To be included except for assignments of all or any portion of a Term Loan or Term Commitment as required by Section 9.04(b)(i)(C) of the Credit Agreement.
7 To be included except for assignments of all or any portion of a Term loan or Term Commitment as required by Section 9.04(b)(i)(C) of the Credit Agreement.

 

 

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SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.

$[                     ] CREDIT FACILITY

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties .

1.1 Assignor . The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents, (iii) the financial condition of Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries or other Affiliates of Holdings or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries or other Affiliates of Holdings or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2. Assignee . The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and (v) attached to this Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2. Payments . From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

3. General Provisions . This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

 

 

MASTER GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

dated as of

[            ], 2011,

among

SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.,

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

IDENTIFIED HEREIN

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  
ARTICLE I  
Definitions  

SECTION 1.01. Credit Agreement

     1  

SECTION 1.02. Other Defined Terms

     1  
ARTICLE II  
The Guarantees  

SECTION 2.01. Guarantee

     3  

SECTION 2.02. Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee

     3  

SECTION 2.03. No Limitations

     3  

SECTION 2.04. Reinstatement

     5  

SECTION 2.05. Agreement to Pay; Subrogation

     5  

SECTION 2.06. Information

     6  

SECTION 2.07. Maximum Liability

     6  

SECTION 2.08. Payments Free of Taxes

     6  
ARTICLE III  
Indemnity, Subrogation and Subordination  

SECTION 3.01. Indemnity and Subrogation

     7  

SECTION 3.02. Contribution and Subrogation

     7  

SECTION 3.03. Subordination

     7  

SECTION 3.04. Financial Assistance

     7  
ARTICLE IV  
Representations and Warranties  
ARTICLE V  
Miscellaneous  

SECTION 5.01. Notices

     8  

SECTION 5.02. Waivers; Amendment

     8  

SECTION 5.03. Administrative Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

     9  

SECTION 5.04. Successors and Assigns

     10  

SECTION 5.05. Survival of Agreement

     10  

SECTION 5.06. Counterparts; Effectiveness; Several Agreement

     10  

SECTION 5.07. Severability

     11  

SECTION 5.08. Right of Set-Off

     11  


SECTION 5.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Appointment of Service of Process Agent

     11  

SECTION 5.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     12  

SECTION 5.11. Headings

     12  

SECTION 5.12. Termination or Release

     12  

SECTION 5.13. Additional Subsidiary Guarantors

     12  

 


MASTER GUARANTEE AGREEMENT dated as of [         ], 2011 (this “ Agreement ”), among SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (GLOBAL MEMORY HOLDINGS), INC., SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (GLOBAL), INC., SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC., the SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS identified herein and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the other Guaranteed Parties.

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. The Lenders and the Issuing Banks have agreed to extend credit to the Borrowers subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. The obligations of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks to extend such credit are conditioned upon, among other things, the execution and delivery of this Agreement. Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors are affiliates of the Borrowers, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrowers pursuant to the Credit Agreement and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders and the Issuing Banks to extend such credit. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.01. Credit Agreement .

(a) Capitalized terms used in this Agreement (including in the introductory paragraph hereto) and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Credit Agreement.

(b) The rules of construction specified in Section 1.03 of the Credit Agreement also apply to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis .

SECTION 1.02 Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Borrowers ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Claiming Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.02.

Contributing Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.02.

 

 

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Credit Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Guaranteed Obligations ” means, in the case of any Guarantor, subject to Section 2.07 of this Agreement, (a) the Loan Document Obligations, (b) the Guaranteed Cash Management Obligations and (c) the Guaranteed Swap Obligations.

Guaranteed Cash Management Obligations ” means the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of Holdings and the Subsidiaries in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds provided to Holdings or any Subsidiary (whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor)) that are (a) owed to the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates, (b) owed on the Effective Date to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender as of the Effective Date, (c) owed to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such obligations are incurred or (d) owed to any other Person, provided that the obligations owed to any such other Person arose in respect of services provided by such Person in a jurisdiction where none of the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Lenders or any of their Affiliates, at the time such obligations arose, offered to provide such services.

Guaranteed Swap Obligations ” means the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of Holdings and the Subsidiaries under each Swap Agreement that (a) is with a counterparty that is the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates, (b) is in effect on the Effective Date with a counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender as of the Effective Date or (c) is entered into after the Effective Date with any counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into.

Guaranteed Parties ” means (a) each Lender, (b) each Issuing Bank, (c) the Administrative Agent, (d) each Joint Bookrunner, (e) each Person to whom any Guaranteed Cash Management Obligations are owed, (f) each counterparty to any Swap Agreement the obligations under which constitute Guaranteed Swap Obligations, (g) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (h) the permitted successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

Guarantors ” means Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Loan Document Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrowers of (i) the principal of and interest at the applicable rate or rates provided in the Credit Agreement (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made by any Borrower under the Credit Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest thereon and obligations to provide cash collateral, and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrowers under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of

 

 

B-2


whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual payment and performance of all other obligations of the Borrowers under or pursuant to each of the Loan Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Loan Party under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding).

Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor ” means any Subsidiary Guarantor that is organized and existing under the laws of Luxembourg.

Subsidiary Guarantors ” means the Subsidiaries identified as such on Schedule I and each other Subsidiary that becomes a party to this Agreement as a Subsidiary Guarantor after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 5.13; provided that if a Subsidiary is released from its obligations as a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder as provided in Section 5.12(b), such Subsidiary shall cease to be a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder effective upon such release.

Supplement ” means an instrument in the form of Exhibit A hereto, or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent, and in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

ARTICLE II

The Guarantees

SECTION 2.01. Guarantee . Each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each of the Guaranteed Parties, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, by way of an independent payment obligation, the due and punctual payment and performance of its Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, or amended or modified, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee hereunder notwithstanding any such extension or renewal, or amendment or modification, of any of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Borrowers or any other Loan Party of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its guarantee and notice of protest for nonpayment.

SECTION 2.02 Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee . Each Guarantor further agrees that its guarantee hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due (whether or not any bankruptcy or similar proceeding shall have stayed the accrual of collection of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or operated as a discharge thereof) and not merely of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Administrative Agent or any other Guaranteed Party to any security held for the payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Administrative Agent or any other Guaranteed Party in favor of the Borrowers, any other Loan Party or any other Person. Each Guarantor agrees that its guarantee hereunder is continuing in nature and applies to all of its Guaranteed Obligations, whether currently existing or hereafter incurred.

SECTION 2.03 No Limitations .

(a) Except for the termination or release of a Guarantor’s obligations hereunder as expressly provided in Section 5.12 and the limitations set forth in Section 2.07 or in the Supplement pursuant to which such Guarantor became a party hereto, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder

 

 

B-3


shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and shall not be subject to any defense or set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, any impossibility in the performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except for the termination or release of its obligations hereunder as expressly provided in Section 5.12, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by:

(i) the failure of any Guaranteed Party or any other Person to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy under the provisions of any Loan Document or otherwise;

(ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment, restatement or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, any Loan Document or any other agreement, including with respect to any other Guarantor under this Agreement;

(iii) the release of, or any impairment of or failure to perfect any Lien on, any security held by any Guaranteed Party for any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(iv) any default, failure or delay, wilful or otherwise, in the performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(v) any other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or otherwise operate as a discharge of any Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations);

(vi) any illegality, lack of validity or lack of enforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(vii) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of any Loan Party, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any Loan Party or its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(viii) the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights that any Guarantor may have at any time against any Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any other Guaranteed Party or any other Person, whether in connection with the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any unrelated transaction;

(ix) this Agreement having been determined (on whatsoever grounds) to be invalid, non-binding or unenforceable against any other Guarantor ab initio or at any time after the Effective Date;

(x) the fact that any Person that, pursuant to the Loan Documents, was required to become a party hereto may not have executed or is not effectually bound by this Agreement, whether or not this fact is known to the Guaranteed Parties;

(xi) any action permitted or authorized hereunder; or

 

B-4


(xii) any other circumstance (including any statute of limitations), or any existence of or reliance on any representation by the Administrative Agent, any Guaranteed Party or any other Person, that might otherwise constitute a defense to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, any Borrower, any Guarantor or any other guarantor or surety (other than the payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations (excluding contingent obligations (other than any such obligations in respect of a Letter of Credit) as to which no claim has been made)).

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor expressly authorizes the Guaranteed Parties to take and hold security in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents for the payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, to exchange, waive or release any or all such security (with or without consideration), to enforce or apply such security and direct the order and manner of any sale thereof in their sole discretion or to release or substitute any one or more other guarantors or obligors upon or in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, all without affecting the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder.

(b) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party, other than the payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and in accordance with articles 2021 and 2026 of the Luxembourg Civil Code, each Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor waives the bénéfice de discussion and the bénéfice de division . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Administrative Agent and the other Guaranteed Parties may, at their election and in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, foreclose on any security held by one or more of them by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such security in lieu of foreclosure, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to them against the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been paid in full in cash. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Guarantor against the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party, as the case may be, or any security.

SECTION 2.04 Reinstatement . Each Guarantor agrees that, unless released pursuant to Section 5.12(b), its guarantee hereunder shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Guaranteed Party upon the bankruptcy or reorganization (or any analogous proceeding in any jurisdiction) of the Parent Borrower, any other Loan Party or otherwise.

SECTION 2.05 Agreement to Pay; Subrogation . In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right that the Administrative Agent or any other Guaranteed Party has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party to pay any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the applicable Guaranteed Parties in cash the amount of such unpaid Guaranteed Obligation. Upon payment by any Guarantor of any sums to the Administrative Agent as provided above, all rights of such Guarantor against the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be subject to Article III.

 

 

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SECTION 2.06 Information . Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Parent Borrower’s and each other Loan Party’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that such Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that none of the Guaranteed Parties will have any duty to advise such Guarantor of information known to it or any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.

SECTION 2.07 Maximum Liability .

(a) Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor Guarantee Limitations . (1) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary but subject to paragraph (ii) below, the obligations and liabilities of any Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement shall at no time, in the aggregate, exceed an amount equal to the maximum financial capacity of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor, such maximum financial capacity being limited to 90% of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor’s net capitaux propres (as referred to in article 34 of the Luxembourg law of 19th December 2002 on the commercial register and annual accounts, where the capitaux propres means the shareholder’s equity (including the share capital, share premium, legal and statutory reserves, other reserves, profits or losses carried forward, investment subsidies and regulated provisions) of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor as shown in the latest financial statements ( comptes annuels ) available at the date of the relevant payment hereunder and approved by the shareholders of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor and certified by the statutory auditors, as the case may be).

(ii) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the obligations and liabilities of any Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement shall not include any obligation or liability to the extent that, if so included, would constitute an abuse of assets as defined by article 171-1 of the Luxembourg law on commercial companies dated August 10, 1915 as amended.

(iii) The restrictions and limitations set forth in paragraph (i) above with respect to any Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor shall not apply to obligations and liabilities of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement in respect of:

(A) obligations of the subsidiaries of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor; and

(B) obligations of Holdings or any Subsidiary that is not a subsidiary of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor, up to an amount equal to the aggregate outstanding amount of loans and advances made, directly or indirectly, by Holdings or any such Subsidiary to such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor or any subsidiary of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the obligations and liabilities of any Subsidiary Guarantor that becomes a party to this Agreement after the date hereof shall be limited as and to the extent set forth in the applicable Supplement.

SECTION 2.08. Payments Free of Taxes . Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Guarantor hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes on the same terms and to the same extent that payments by the Borrowers are required to be so made pursuant to the terms of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement. The provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement shall apply to each Guarantor, mutatis mutandis .

 

 

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ARTICLE III

Indemnity, Subrogation and Subordination

SECTION 3.01. Indemnity and Subrogation . In addition to all such rights of indemnity and subrogation as the Guarantors may have under applicable law (but subject to Section 3.03) in respect of any payment hereunder, each Borrower agrees that (a) in the event a payment in respect of any obligation of each Borrower shall be made by any Guarantor under this Agreement, each Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and such Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment and (b) in the event any assets of any Guarantor shall be sold pursuant to any Security Document to satisfy in whole or in part any Guaranteed Obligations owed to any Guaranteed Party, each Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor in an amount equal to the greater of the book value or the fair market value of the assets so sold.

SECTION 3.02. Contribution and Subrogation . Each Guarantor (a “ Contributing Party ”) agrees (subject to Sections 2.07 and 3.03) that, in the event a payment shall be made by any other Guarantor hereunder in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations or assets of any other Guarantor (other than any Borrower) shall be sold pursuant to any Security Document to satisfy any Guaranteed Obligation owed to any Guaranteed Party and such other Guarantor (the “ Claiming Party ”) shall not have been fully indemnified as provided in Section 3.01, the Contributing Party shall indemnify the Claiming Party in an amount equal to the amount of such payment or the greater of the book value or the fair market value of such assets, as the case may be, in each case multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the net worth of the Contributing Party on the date hereof (or, in the case of any Guarantor becoming a party hereto pursuant to Section 5.13, the date of the Supplement executed and delivered by such Guarantor) and the denominator shall be the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors on the date hereof (or, in the case of any such Guarantor, such other date). Any Contributing Party making any payment to a Claiming Party pursuant to this Section 3.02 shall be subrogated to the rights of such Claiming Party under Section 3.01 to the extent of such payment.

SECTION 3.03. Subordination . (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 2.07, all rights of the Guarantors under Sections 3.01 and 3.02 and all other rights of the Guarantors of indemnity, contribution or subrogation under applicable law or otherwise shall be fully subordinated to the payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations. No failure on the part of any Borrower or any Guarantor to make the payments required by Sections 3.01 and 3.02 (or any other payments required under applicable law or otherwise) shall in any respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor with respect to its obligations hereunder, and each Guarantor shall remain liable for the full amount of the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby agrees that upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice from the Administrative Agent ( provided that no such notice shall be required to be given in the case of any Event of Default arising under Section 7.01(h) or 7.01(i) of the Credit Agreement), all Indebtedness and other monetary obligations owed by it to, or to it by, any other Guarantor or any other Subsidiary shall be fully subordinated to the payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations.

SECTION 3.04. Financial Assistance . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the guarantee, indemnity and other obligations of each Guarantor expressed to be assumed in this Agreement shall be deemed not to be assumed by such Guarantor to the extent that the same would constitute unlawful financial assistance within the meaning of Articles 2:98c and/or 2:207c Dutch Civil Code or any other applicable financial assistance rules under any relevant jurisdiction (the “ Prohibition ”)

 

 

B-7


and the provisions of this Agreement, the Loan Documents, the Swap Agreements and any document evidencing the Cash Management Obligations shall be construed accordingly. This Agreement does not apply to any liability to the extent that it would result in this Agreement constituting unlawful financial assistance within the meaning of section 678 or section 679 of the Companies Act 2006. For the avoidance of doubt it is expressly acknowledged that each Guarantor will continue to guarantee all such obligations which, if included, do not constitute a violation of the Prohibition.

ARTICLE IV

Representations and Warranties

Each Subsidiary Guarantor represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the other Guaranteed Parties that (a) the execution, delivery and performance by such Subsidiary Guarantor of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action and, if required, action by the holders of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Equity Interests, and that this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Subsidiary Guarantor and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and (b) all representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement as to such Subsidiary Guarantor are true and correct in all material respects; provided that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language is true and correct in all respects. 1

ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous

SECTION 5.01. Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than any Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be given to it in care of Holdings as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to any Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor shall be given to it at the address specified below the signature of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor.

SECTION 5.02. Waivers; Amendment .

(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.02, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the

 

1   Subject to review of execution version of the credit agreement

 

 

B-8


generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time. No notice or demand on any Loan Party in any case shall entitle any Loan Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Guarantor or Guarantors with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement; provided that the Administrative Agent may, without the consent of any Guaranteed Party, consent to a departure by any Guarantor from any covenant of such Guarantor set forth herein to the extent such departure is consistent with the authority of the Administrative Agent set forth in the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” in the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5.03. Administrative Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .

(a) Each Guarantor, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for its fees and expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 9.03(a) of the Credit Agreement; provided that each reference therein to the “Parent Borrower” shall be deemed to be a reference to “each Guarantor.”

(b) Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Loan Documents, each Guarantor, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent and the other Indemnitees against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether brought by a third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of, or a breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties.

(c) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Guarantor shall assert, and each Guarantor hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such damages are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of, or a breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties, or (ii) on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

 

B-9


(d) The provisions of this Section 5.03 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, the repayment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of any Guaranteed Party. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than 10 Business Days after written demand therefor; provided , however , any Indemnitee shall promptly refund an indemnification payment received hereunder to the extent that there is a final judicial determination that such Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification with respect to such payment pursuant to this Section 5.03. Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Guaranteed Obligations.

SECTION 5.04. Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Guarantor or the Administrative Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 5.05. Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in this Agreement or any other Loan Document and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Guaranteed Parties and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Guaranteed Party and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Guaranteed Party may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and shall continue in full force and effect until such time as (a) all the Loan Document Obligations (including LC Disbursements, if any, but excluding contingent obligations for indemnification, expense reimbursement, tax gross-up or yield protection as to which no claim has been made) have been paid in full in cash, (b) all Commitments have terminated or expired and (c) the LC Exposure has been reduced to zero (including as a result of obtaining the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank as described in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement) and the Issuing Banks have no further obligation to issue or amend Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5.06. Counterparts; Effectiveness; Several Agreement . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective as to any Guarantor when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such Guarantor shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Administrative Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such Guarantor and the Administrative Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such Guarantor, the Administrative Agent and the other Guaranteed Parties and their respective successors and assigns, except that no Guarantor shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as expressly provided in this Agreement and the Credit Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each Guarantor and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released with respect to any Guarantor without the approval of any other Guarantor and without affecting the obligations of any other Guarantor hereunder.

 

B-10


SECTION 5.07. Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good- faith negotiations to replace any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 5.08. Right of Set-Off . If an Event of Default under Sections 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) of the Credit Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor against any of and all the obligations of such Guarantor then due and owing under this Agreement held by such Lender or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or such Issuing Bank different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness. The applicable Lender and Issuing Bank shall notify the applicable Guarantor and the Administrative Agent of such setoff and application; provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such setoff and application under this Section 5.08. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section 5.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates may have.

SECTION 5.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Appointment of Service of Process Agent .

(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against any Guarantor or its respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

 

B-11


(e) Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers the Parent Borrower as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and in respect of its property, service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents that may be served in any such action or proceeding.

SECTION 5.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.10.

SECTION 5.11. Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 5.12. Termination or Release .

(a) Subject to Section 2.04, this Agreement and the Guarantees made herein shall terminate when (i) all the Loan Document Obligations (including all LC Disbursements, if any, but excluding contingent obligations for indemnification, expense reimbursement, tax gross-up or yield protection as to which no claim has been made) have been paid in full in cash, (ii) all Commitments have terminated or expired and (iii) the LC Exposure has been reduced to zero (including as a result of obtaining the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank as described in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement) and the Issuing Banks have no further obligation to issue or amend Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement.

(b) The guarantees made herein shall also terminate and be released at the time or times and in the manner set forth in Section 9.15 of the Credit Agreement.

(c) In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 5.13. Additional Subsidiary Guarantors . Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, additional Subsidiaries may be required to become Subsidiary Guarantors after the date hereof. Upon execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent and a Subsidiary of a Supplement, any such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as such herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other Guarantor hereunder. The rights and obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any Subsidiary as a party to this Agreement.

 

 

B-12


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Master Guarantee Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

EXECUTED AS A DEED BY
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (GLOBAL
MEMORY HOLDINGS), INC.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
EXECUTED AS A DEED BY
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (GLOBAL), INC.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[                       ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[                       ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO M ASTER G UARANTEE A GREEMENT


[                       ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[                       ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[                       ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the other Guaranteed Parties,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO M ASTER G UARANTEE A GREEMENT


Schedule I to

the Master Guarantee Agreement

INITIAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

ConXtra Inc.

SMART Modular Technologies (CI), Inc.

SMART Modular Technologies (DE), Inc.

SMART Modular Technologies (DH), Inc.

SMART Modular Technologies (Foreign Holdings), Limited

SMART Modular Technologies (NL), B.V., a private company with limited liability ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands, having its seat ( statutaire zetel ) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and its registered office at Fred. Roeskestraat 123 I hg, 1076 EE Amsterdam, The Netherlands and registered with the Dutch Commercial Register ( Handelsregister ) under number 34277894

SMART Modular Technologies (Puerto Rico) Inc.

SMART Modular Technologies do Brasil- Indústria e Comércio de Componentes Ltda.

SMART Modular Technologies Indústria de Componentes Eletrônicos Ltda.


SUPPLEMENT NO.          dated as of [        ] , 20[    ] to the Master Guarantee Agreement dated as of [        ], 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc. (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc. (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the subsidiaries of Holdings party thereto (Holdings, the Borrower and such subsidiaries being collectively referred to as the “ Guarantors ”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

A. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

B. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement and the Guarantee Agreement referred to therein, as applicable.

C. The Guarantors have entered into the Guarantee Agreement in order to induce the Lenders and the Issuing Banks to extend credit to the Borrowers. Section 5.13 of the Guarantee Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Subsidiary Guarantors under the Guarantee Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement to become a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee Agreement in order to induce the Lenders and the Issuing Banks to make additional extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement and as consideration for such extensions of credit previously issued.

Accordingly, the Administrative Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 5.13 of the Guarantee Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Subsidiary Guarantor, and the New Subsidiary hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Guarantee Agreement applicable to it as a Subsidiary Guarantor (and a Guarantor) thereunder. Each reference to a “Subsidiary Guarantor” or a “Guarantor” in the Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Guarantee Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the other Guaranteed Parties that (a) the execution, delivery and performance by the New Subsidiary of this Supplement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action and, if required, action by the holders of such New Subsidiary’s Equity Interests, and that this Supplement has been duly executed and delivered by the New Subsidiary and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and (b) all representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement as to the New Subsidiary are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof; provided that, to the extent such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; provided further that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,” “Material Averse Effect” or similar language is true and correct in all respects.


SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement. This Supplement shall become effective as to the New Subsidiary when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of the New Subsidiary shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Administrative Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon the New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the New Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent and the other Guaranteed Parties and their respective successors and assigns, except that the New Subsidiary shall not have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as expressly provided in this Supplement, the Guarantee Agreement and the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Guarantee Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. This Supplement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

SECTION 6. Any provision of this Supplement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Guarantee Agreement.

SECTION 8. The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for its fees and expenses incurred hereunder and under the Guarantee Agreement as provided in Section 9.03(a) of the Credit Agreement; provided that each reference therein to the “Parent Borrower” shall be deemed to be a reference to “the New Subsidiary.”

SECTION 9. The New Subsidiary is a [ company ] duly [ incorporated ] under the law of [ name of relevant jurisdiction ]. [ If applicable: ] The guarantee of the New Subsidiary in respect of obligations of any Person other than its Subsidiary is subject to the following limitations:

(a) if the New Subsidiary is incorporated in [    ], the limitations set forth in paragraph [    ] of Section 2.07 of the Guarantee Agreement; and

(b) [if the New Subsidiary is incorporated in any other jurisdiction, is giving a guarantee other than in respect of its subsidiary and limitations other than those set out in Section 2.07 of the Guarantee Agreement are agreed in respect of the New Subsidiary by the Administrative Agent, insert guarantee limitation wording for relevant jurisdiction that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent have duly executed this Supplement to the Master Guarantee Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[Name Of New Subsidiary],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the other Guaranteed Parties,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO SUPPLEMENT TO THE M ASTER G UARANTEE A GREEMENT


EXHIBIT C

[RESERVED]

 


EXHIBIT D

PERFECTION CERTIFICATE

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned in the Credit Agreement or the Collateral Agreement referred to therein, as applicable.

The undersigned, a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, hereby certifies to the Administrative Agent and each other Secured Party on behalf of the Loan Parties as follows:

SECTION 1. Names .

(a) Set forth on Schedule 1 is (i) the exact legal name of each Loan Party, as such name appears in its certificate of organization or like document and (ii) each other legal name such Loan Party has had in the past five years, together with the date of the relevant name change.

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 1, no Loan Party has changed its identity or corporate structure or entered into a similar reorganization in any way within the past five years. Changes in identity or corporate structure would include mergers, consolidations and acquisitions of all or substantially all of the assets of (or all or substantially all the assets constituting a business unit, division, product line or line of business of) a Person or other acquisitions of material assets out-side the ordinary course of business, as well as any change in the form, nature or jurisdiction of organization. With respect to any such change that has occurred within the past five years, Schedules 1 and 2 set forth the information required by Sections 1(a) and 2 of this Perfection Certificate as to each acquiree or constituent party to such merger, consolidation or acquisition.

SECTION 2. Jurisdictions and Locations . Set forth on Schedule 2 is (i) the jurisdiction of organization and the form of organization of each Loan Party, (ii) the organizational identification number, if any, assigned by such jurisdiction and (iii) the address (including, in the case of Loan Parties incorporated or organized in the United States, the county) of the chief executive office of such Loan Party or the registered office of such Loan Party, if applicable.

SECTION 3. Unusual Transactions . Except for Inventory or Accounts acquired pursuant to mergers, consolidations or acquisitions listed in Section 1(b) hereof, all Accounts have been originated by the Loan Parties and all Inventory with an aggregate value in excess of $5,000,000 has been acquired by the Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business.

SECTION 4. UCC Filings . Financing statements in substantially the form of Schedule 4 pre- pared for filing by counsel to the Administrative Agent in the proper Uniform Commercial Code filing office in the jurisdiction in which each Loan Party is located or, in the case of Non-US Loan Parties, in Washington, D.C. Set forth on Schedule 4 is a true and correct list of each such filing and the Uniform Commercial Code filing office in which such filing is to be made.

 

D-1


SECTION 5. Stock Ownership and other Equity Interests . Set forth on Schedule 5 is a true and correct list, for each Loan Party, of all the issued and outstanding stock, partnership interests, limited liability company membership interests or other Equity Interests owned, beneficially or of record, by such Loan Party, specifying the issuer and certificate number (if any) of, and the number and percentage of ownership represented by, such Equity Interests.

SECTION 6. Debt Instruments . Set forth on Schedule 6 is a true and correct list, for each Loan Party, of all promissory notes and other evidence of indebtedness (other than checks to be deposited in the ordinary course of business) owned by such Loan Party that are required to be pledged under the Credit Agreement and the Security Documents, including all intercompany notes between or among Holdings, the Borrower and the other Subsidiaries in excess of the US Dollar Equivalent of $5,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, and to the extent applicable, specifying the creditor and debtor thereunder and the outstanding principal amount thereof.

SECTION 7. Real Property . No Loan Party owns any real property as of the Effective Date.

SECTION 8. Intellectual Property .

(a) Set forth on Schedule 8(a) is a true and correct list, with respect to each Loan Party, of all patents and patent applications owned by such Loan Party (except, for the avoidance of doubt, as otherwise indicated on Schedule 8(a)), including the name of the owner, title, registration or application number of any registrations or applications and, if the “national phase” has been entered into by the owner of any patent application (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to patent applications filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization under the Patent Cooperation Treaty), the corresponding application number applicable to such patent application.

(b) Set forth on Schedule 8(b) is a true and correct list, with respect to each Loan Party, of all trademarks registrations and applications owned by such Loan Party, including the name of the registered owner and the registration or application number of any registrations and applications.

(c) Set forth in Schedule 8(c) is a true and correct list, with respect to each Loan Party, of all registered designs and design applications owned by such Loan Party including the name of the registered owner and the registration and/or application number of any registrations or applications.

(d) Set forth on Schedule 8(d) is a true and correct list, with respect to each Loan Party, of all copyrights registrations owned by such Loan Party, including the name of the registered owner, title and the registration or serial number of any copyright registrations.

(e) Set forth on Schedule 8(e) is a true and correct list, with respect to each Loan Party, of all exclusive Copyright Licenses under which such Loan Party is a licensee, including the name and address of the licensor under such exclusive Copyright License and the name of the registered owner, title and the registration or serial number of any copyright registration to which such exclusive Copyright License relates.

(f) All patent and patent applications, trademark registrations and applications and copyright registrations and applications and all exclusive Copyright Licenses under which a Subsidiary is a licensee owned or to be owned by any Subsidiary on or immediately following the Effective Date are listed on Schedules 8(a), 8(b), 8(c), 8(d), and 8(e) hereto.

SECTION 9. Commercial Tort Claims . Set forth on Schedule 9 is a true and correct list of commercial tort claims in excess of $5,000,000 (or its equivalent) held by any Loan Party, including a brief description thereof.

 

 

D-2


SECTION 10. Other Collateral . Set forth on Schedule 10 is a true and correct list of all the fixed assets, goods and machinery located in Brazil with a fair market value in excess of $5,000,000 (or its equivalent) that is held by any Loan Party, including a brief description thereof.

 

D-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this certificate on this         day of August 2011.

 

    EXECUTED AS A DEED BY

    SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES     (GLOBAL), INC. ,

 

    Name:

    Title

 

    Witness

    Name:

    Title:

    SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,

 

    Name:

    Title:

[S IGNATURE P AGE TO P ERFECTION C ERTIFICATE ]


Schedule 1

Names

 

Loan Party’s Exact Legal Name

  

Other Legal Names

(including date of change)


Schedule 2

Jurisdictions and Locations

 

Loan Party

  

Jurisdiction of

Organization

  

Form of

Organization

  

Organizational

Identification Number

(if any)

  

Chief Executive

Office or Registered

Office Address

(including county)


Schedule 4

UCC Filings

 

Loan Party

   UCC Filing Office/County Recorder’s Office


Schedule 5

Stock Ownership and Other Equity Interests

 

Loan Party

  

Issuer

  

Certificate

Number

  

Number of

Equity Interests

  

Percentage of

Ownership


Schedule 6

Debt Instruments

 

Loan Party

  

Creditor

  

Debtor

  

Type

  

Amount


Schedule 8(a)

Intellectual Property

Patents and Patent Applications

 

Loan Party

  

Registered Owner

  

Type

  

Registration /

Application Number

  

Country

Designation


Schedule 8(b)

Intellectual Property

Trademarks and Trademark Applications

 

Loan Party

  

Registered Owner

  

Mark

  

Registration /

Application Number


Schedule 8(c)

Intellectual Property

Registered Designs and Design Applications

 

Loan Party

  

Registered Owner

  

Registration /

Application Number


Schedule 8(d)

Intellectual Property

Copyrights and Copyright Applications

 

Loan Party

  

Registered Owner

  

Title

  

Registration /

Serial Number


Schedule 8(e)

Intellectual Property

Exclusive Copyright Licenses under which a Loan Party is a Licensee

 

Loan

Party

  

Licensor

  

Licensor

Address

  

Registered

Owner

  

Title

  

Registration /

Serial Number


Schedule 9

Commercial Tort Claims

 

Loan Party/Plaintiff

  

Defendant

  

Description


Schedule 10

Fixed Assets Located in Brazil

 

Type of Collateral

  

Location of Collateral


EXHIBIT E

 

 

 

COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

dated as of

[            ], 2011,

among

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,

THE OTHER GRANTORS PARTY HERETO

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I  
Definitions  

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms

     1  

SECTION 1.02. Other Defined Terms

     1  
ARTICLE II  
Pledge of Securities  

SECTION 2.01. Pledge

     5  

SECTION 2.02. Delivery of the Pledged Collateral

     6  

SECTION 2.03. Representations, Warranties and Covenants

     7  

SECTION 2.04. [Reserved]

     8  

SECTION 2.05. Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

     8  

SECTION 2.06. Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest

     8  
ARTICLE III  
Security Interests in Personal Property  

SECTION 3.01. Security Interest

     10  

SECTION 3.02. Representations and Warranties

     12  

SECTION 3.03. Covenants

     14  

SECTION 3.04. Other Actions

     16  

SECTION 3.05. Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral

     16  
ARTICLE IV  
Remedies  

SECTION 4.01. Remedies upon Default

     17  

SECTION 4.02. Application of Proceeds

     19  

SECTION 4.03. Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property

     19  

SECTION 4.04. Securities Act

     20  
ARTICLE V  
Miscellaneous  

SECTION 5.01. Notices

     20  

SECTION 5.02. Waivers; Amendment

     20  

SECTION 5.03. Administrative Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

     21  

SECTION 5.04. Successors and Assigns

     22  

SECTION 5.05. Survival of Agreement

     22  


SECTION 5.06. Counterparts; Effectiveness; Several Agreement

     22  

SECTION 5.07. Severability

     22  

SECTION 5.08. Right of Set-Off

     23  

SECTION 5.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Appointment of Service of Process Agent

     23  

SECTION 5.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     24  

SECTION 5.11. Headings

     24  

SECTION 5.12. Security Interest Absolute

     24  

SECTION 5.13. Termination or Release

     24  

SECTION 5.14. Additional Subsidiaries

     25  

SECTION 5.15. Administrative Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

     25  

SECTION 5.16. Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classification

     25  


Schedules

 

Schedule I

  

Grantors

Schedule II

  

Pledged Equity Interests; Pledged Debt Securities

Schedule III

  

Intellectual Property

Schedule IV

  

Commercial Tort Claims

Exhibits

 

Exhibit I

  

Form of Supplement

Exhibit II

  

Form of Copyright Security Agreement

Exhibit III

  

Form of Patent Security Agreement

Exhibit IV

  

Form of Trademark Security Agreement

 


COLLATERAL AGREEMENT dated as of [        ], 2011 (this “Agreement”), among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (DE), Inc., and ConXtra, Inc., the other GRANTORS from time to time party hereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. The Lenders and the Issuing Banks have agreed to extend credit to the Borrowers subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. The obligations of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks to extend such credit are conditioned upon, among other things, the execution and delivery of this Agreement. The Grantors (other than the Borrowers) are Affiliates of the Borrowers, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrowers pursuant to the Credit Agreement and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders and the Issuing Banks to extend such credit. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms .

(a) Each capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement; provided that each term defined in the New York UCC (as defined herein) and not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning specified in the New York UCC.

(b) The rules of construction specified in Section 1.03 and 1.04 of the Credit Agreement also apply to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis .

SECTION 1.02. Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

Account Debtor ” means any Person that is or may become obligated to any Grantor under, with respect to or on account of an Account.

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Article 9 Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

 

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Borrowers ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Collateral ” means Article 9 Collateral and Pledged Collateral.

Copyright License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Person any right under any Copyright now or hereafter owned by any other Person or that such other Person otherwise has the right to license, and all rights of any such Person under any such agreement.

Copyright Security Agreement ” means the Copyright Security Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit II.

Copyrights ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person: (a) all copyright rights in any work arising under the copyright laws of the United States or any other country, whether as author, assignee, transferee or otherwise, and (b) all registrations and applications for registration of any such copyright in the United States or any other country, including registrations, supplemental registrations and pending applications for registration in the United States Copyright Office (or any similar office in any other country), including, in the case of any Grantor, the Copyrights set forth next to its name on Schedule III.

Credit Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Excluded Equity Interests ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

Federal Securities Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.04.

Grantors ” means (a) each Borrower, (b) each other Subsidiary identified on Schedule I and (c) each Subsidiary that becomes a party to this Agreement as a Grantor after the Effective Date.

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding ” means:

(1) any case commenced by or against the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor under any Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

(2) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

(3) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

Intellectual Property ” means, with respect to any Person, all intellectual and similar property of every kind and nature now owned or hereafter acquired by any such Person, including inventions, designs, Patents, Copyrights, Licenses, Trademarks, trade secrets, domain names, confidential or proprietary technical and business information, know-how, show-how or other data or information, software and databases and all embodiments or fixations thereof and related documentation, registrations and franchises, and all additions, improvements and accessions to, and books and records describing or used in connection with, any of the foregoing.

 

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IP Security Agreements ” means the Trademark Security Agreement, the Patent Security Agreement and the Copyright Security Agreement.

License ” means any Patent License, Trademark License, Copyright License or other license or sublicense agreement to which any Person is a party, including those exclusive Copyright Licenses under which any Grantor is a licensee listed on Schedule III.

Loan Document Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrowers of (i) the principal of and interest at the applicable rate or rates provided in the Credit Agreement (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made by any Borrower under the Credit Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest thereon (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) and obligations to provide cash collateral, and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrowers under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual payment and performance of all other obligations of the Borrowers under or pursuant to each of the Loan Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Loan Party under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents (including interest and monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding).

New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York; provided, however, that, at any time, if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of the Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ security interest in any item or portion of the Article 9 Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code or similar law as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect, at such time, in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions relating to such provisions.

Non-Revolving Obligations ” means the Secured Obligations other than the Revolving Obligations.

Non-Revolving Secured Parties ” means the Secured Parties other than the Revolving Secured Parties.

Patent License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Person any right to make, use or sell any invention on which a Patent, now or hereafter owned by any other Person or that any other Person now or hereafter otherwise has the right to license, is in existence, and all rights of any such Person under any such agreement.

 

 

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Patent Security Agreement ” means the Patent Security Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit III.

Patents ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person: (a) all letters patent of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, all registrations thereof and all applications for letters patent of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, including registrations and pending applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar offices in any other country, including those listed on Schedule III, and (b) all reissues, continuations, divisions, continuations-in- part, renewals or extensions thereof, and the inventions disclosed or claimed therein, including the right to make, use and/or sell the inventions disclosed or claimed therein.

Perfection Certificate ” means the Perfection Certificate dated the Effective Date delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.01(f) of the Credit Agreement.

Pledged Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

Pledged Debt Securities ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

Pledged Equity Interests ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

Pledged Securities ” means any promissory notes, stock certificates, unit certificates, limited or unlimited liability membership certificates or other securities now or hereafter included in the Pledged Collateral, including all certificates, instruments or other documents representing or evidencing any Pledged Collateral.

Revolving Obligations ” means the Secured Obligations payable to the Revolving Lenders, Swingline Lenders and Issuing Banks in respect of Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans or Letters of Credit.

Revolving Secured Parties ” means the Revolving Lenders, Swingline Lenders and Issuing Banks.

Secured Cash Management Obligations ” means the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of Holdings and the Subsidiaries in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds provided to Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary (whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor)) that are (a) owed to the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates, (b) owed on the Effective Date to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender as of the Effective Date, (c) owed to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such obligations are incurred or (d) owed to any other Person, provided that the obligations owed to any such other Person arose in respect of services provided by such Person in a jurisdiction where none of the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Lenders or any of their Affiliates, at the time such obligations arose, offered to provide such services and such person executes and delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent pursuant to which such person (i) appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent under the applicable Loan Documents and (ii) agrees to be bound by the provisions of Article Viii, Section 9.03 and Section 9.09 as if it were a Lender.

 

 

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Secured Obligations ” means (a) the Loan Document Obligations, (b) the Secured Cash Management Obligations and (c) the Secured Swap Obligations.

Secured Parties ” means (a) each Lender, (b) each Issuing Bank, (c) the Administrative Agent, (d) each Joint Bookrunner, (e) each Person to whom any Secured Cash Management Obligations are owed, (f) each counterparty to any Swap Agreement the obligations under which constitute Secured Swap Obligations, (g) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (h) the permitted successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

Secured Swap Obligations ” means the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of Holdings, the Parent Borrower, and the Subsidiaries under each Swap Agreement that (a) is with a counterparty that is the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates, (b) is in effect on the Effective Date with a counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender as of the Effective Date or (c) is entered into after the Effective Date with any counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into.

Security Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(a).

Supplement ” means an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent, and in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Trademark License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Person any right to use any Trademark now or hereafter owned by any other Person or that any other Person otherwise has the right to license, and all rights of any such Person under any such agreement.

Trademark Security Agreement ” means the trademark security agreement in the form of Exhibit IV.

Trademarks ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person: (a) all trademarks, service marks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, trade dress, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of like nature, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations thereof, and all registration and applications filed in connection therewith, including registrations and applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar offices in any State of the United States or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, and all extensions or renewals thereof, including, in the case of any Grantor, any of the foregoing set forth next to its name on Schedule III, (b) all goodwill associated therewith or symbolized thereby and (c) all other assets, rights and interests that uniquely reflect or embody such goodwill.

ARTICLE II

Pledge of Securities

SECTION 2.01. Pledge . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of all Non-Revolving Obligations, each Grantor hereby assigns and pledges to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties (other than the Revolving Secured Parties) and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, its successor and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties (other than the Revolving Secured Parties) a security interest in the Pledged Collateral. As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of all

 

 

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Revolving Obligations, each Grantor hereby assigns and pledges to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Revolving Secured Parties and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Revolving Secured Parties a security interest in the Pledged Collateral. “ Pledged Collateral ” shall mean the collective reference to the following: all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under (a)(i) the shares of capital stock and other Equity Interests owned by such Grantor, including those listed opposite the name of such Grantor on Schedule II, (ii) any other Equity Interests obtained in the future by such Grantor and (iii) the certificates (if any) representing all such Equity Interests (collectively, the “ Pledged Equity Interests ”); provided that the Pledged Equity Interests shall not include (A) Equity Interests of any Person that is not a direct or indirect, wholly owned Subsidiary of Holdings to the extent a security interest therein is prohibited by the terms of such Person’s Organizational Documents, (B) any Equity Interest with respect to which Holdings shall have provided to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that, based on advice of outside counsel or tax advisors of national recognition, the pledge of such Equity Interest hereunder would result in adverse tax consequences to Holdings and the Subsidiaries (other than on account of any Taxes payable in connection with filings, recordings, registrations, stampings and any similar acts in connection with the creation or perfection of the Liens granted hereunder) that shall have been determined by Holdings to be material to Holdings and the Subsidiaries, (C) any Equity Interest if, to the extent and for so long as the pledge of such Equity Interest hereunder is prohibited by any applicable Requirement of Law (other than to the extent that any such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to the New York UCC or any other applicable Requirements of Law); provided that such Equity Interest shall cease to be an Excluded Equity Interest at such time as such prohibition ceases to be in effect; and (D) any Equity Interest that the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall have agreed in writing to treat as an Excluded Equity Interest for purposes hereof on account of the cost of pledging such Equity Interest hereunder (including any adverse tax consequences to Holdings and the Subsidiaries resulting therefrom) being excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom (the Equity Interests excluded pursuant to clauses (A) through (D) above being referred to as the “ Excluded Equity Interests ”); (b)(i) the debt securities owned by such Grantor, including those listed opposite the name of such Grantor on Schedule II, (ii) any debt securities in the future issued to or otherwise acquired by such Grantor and (iii) the promissory notes and any other instruments evidencing all such debt securities (collectively, the “ Pledged Debt Securities ”); (c) all other property that may be delivered to and held by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of this Section 2.01 and Section 2.02; (d) subject to Section 2.06, all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other Proceeds received in respect of, the securities referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; (e) subject to Section 2.06, all rights and privileges of such Grantor with respect to the securities and other property referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) above; and (f) all Proceeds of any of the foregoing.

SECTION 2.02. Delivery of the Pledged Collateral .

(a) Each Grantor agrees to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent any and all Pledged Securities (i) on the date hereof, in the case of any such Pledged Securities owned by such Grantor on the date hereof, and (ii) promptly (and in any event within 45 days or such later date as the Administrative Agent reasonably agrees) after the acquisition thereof, in the case of any such Pledged Securities acquired by such Grantor after the date hereof.

(b) As promptly as practicable, and in any event within 30 days after the Effective Date, each Grantor will cause any Indebtedness for borrowed money (including in respect of cash management arrangements) owed to such Grantor by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in a principal amount in excess of the US Dollar Equivalent of $5,000,000 to be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note (including, if such security interest can be perfected therein, a grid note) that is pledged and delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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(c) Upon delivery to the Administrative Agent, (i) any certificate or promissory note representing Pledged Securities shall be accompanied by undated stock or note powers, as applicable, duly executed in blank or other undated instruments of transfer duly executed in blank and reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and by such other instruments and documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (ii) all other property comprising part of the Pledged Collateral shall be accompanied by undated proper instruments of assignment duly executed in blank by the applicable Grantor and such other instruments and documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request. Each delivery of Pledged Securities shall be accompanied by a schedule describing such Pledged Securities, which schedule shall be deemed attached to, and shall supplement, Schedule II and be made a part hereof; provided that failure to provide any such schedule hereto shall not affect the validity of such pledge of such Pledged Securities.

SECTION 2.03. Representations, Warranties and Covenants . The Grantors jointly and severally represent, warrant and covenant to and with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

(a) as of the Effective Date, Schedule II sets forth a true and complete list, with respect to each Grantor, of (i) all the Equity Interests owned by such Grantor in any Subsidiary and the percentage of the issued and outstanding units of each class of the Equity Interests of the issuer thereof represented by the Pledged Equity Interests owned by such Grantor and (ii) all the Pledged Debt Securities owned by such Grantor;

(b) the Pledged Equity Interests and the Pledged Debt Securities have been duly and validly authorized and issued by the issuers thereof and (i) in the case of Pledged Equity Interests, are fully paid and nonassessable and (ii) in the case of Pledged Debt Securities, are legal, valid and binding obligations of the issuers thereof, except to the extent that enforceability of such obligations may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditor’s rights generally; provided that the foregoing representations, insofar as they relate to the Pledged Debt Securities issued by a Person other than the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary, are made to the knowledge of the Grantors;

(c) except for the security interests granted hereunder and under any other Loan Documents, each of the Grantors (i) is and, subject to any transfers made in compliance with the Credit Agreement, will continue to be the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Securities indicated on Schedule II as owned by such Grantor, (ii) holds the same free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement and transfers made in compliance with the Credit Agreement, (iii) will make no further assignment, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of, or create or permit to exist any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Collateral, other than Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement and transfers made in compliance with the Credit Agreement, and (iv) will defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than the Liens created by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement), however arising, of all Persons whomsoever;

(d) except for restrictions and limitations imposed by the Loan Documents or securities laws generally, the Pledged Equity Interests and, to the extent issued by Holdings or any Subsidiary, the Pledged Debt Securities are and will continue to be freely transferable and assignable, and none of the Pledged Equity Interests and, to the extent issued the Parent Borrower

 

 

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or any Subsidiary, the Pledged Debt Securities are or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal, shareholders agreement, charter, by-law or other organizational document provisions or contractual restriction of any nature that might prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect in any manner adverse to the Secured Parties in any material respect the pledge of such Pledged Collateral hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Administrative Agent of rights and remedies hereunder;

(e) each of the Grantors has the power and authority to pledge the Pledged Collateral pledged by it hereunder in the manner hereby done or contemplated; and

(f) by virtue of the execution and delivery by the Grantors of this Agreement, when any Pledged Securities are delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with this Agreement, the Administrative Agent will obtain a legal, valid and perfected lien upon and security interest in such Pledged Securities, free of any adverse claims, under the New York UCC to the extent such lien and security interest may be created and perfected under the New York UCC, as security for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations.

SECTION 2.04. [Reserved] .

SECTION 2.05. Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Grantors of its intent to exercise such rights, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to hold the Pledged Securities in the name of the applicable Grantor, endorsed or assigned in blank or in favor of the Administrative Agent or in its own name as pledgee or in the name of its nominee (as pledgee or as sub-agent), and each Grantor will promptly give to the Administrative Agent copies of any notices or other communications received by it with respect to Pledged Securities registered in the name of such Grantor. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall at all times have the right to exchange the certificates representing Pledged Securities for certificates of smaller or larger denominations for any reasonable purpose consistent with this Agreement.

SECTION 2.06. Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest .

(a) Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Grantors that their rights under this Section 2.06 are being suspended:

(i) each Grantor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Securities or any part thereof for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that such rights and powers shall not be exercised in any manner that could materially and adversely affect the rights inuring to a holder of any Pledged Securities or the rights and remedies of any of the Administrative Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the ability of the Secured Parties to exercise the same;

(ii) the Administrative Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to each Grantor, or cause to be promptly executed and delivered to such Grantor, all such proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments as such Grantor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Grantor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section;

 

 

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(iii) each Grantor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Securities to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are permitted by, and are otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and applicable laws; provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Equity Interests or Pledged Debt Securities, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests in the issuer of any Pledged Securities or received in exchange for Pledged Securities or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become part of the Pledged Collateral and, if received by any Grantor, shall not be commingled by such Grantor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties and shall be forthwith delivered to the Administrative Agent in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsements, stock or note powers and other instruments of transfer reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent).

(b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, after the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Grantors of the suspension of their rights under paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06, all rights of any Grantor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Grantor is authorized to receive pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06 shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Administrative Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions. All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by any Grantor contrary to the provisions of this Section 2.06 shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be segregated from other property or funds of such Grantor and shall be forthwith delivered to the Administrative Agent upon demand in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsements, stock or note powers and other instruments of transfer reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent). Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Administrative Agent in an account to be established by the Administrative Agent upon receipt of such money or other property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Parent Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower to that effect, the Administrative Agent shall promptly repay to each Grantor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Grantor would otherwise be permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06 and that remain in such account.

(c) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, after the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Grantors of the suspension of their rights under paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06, all rights of any Grantor to exercise the voting and consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06, and the obligations of the Administrative Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.06, shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Administrative Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and powers; provided that, unless otherwise directed by the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Grantors to exercise such rights. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Parent Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower to that effect, all rights vested in the Administrative Agent pursuant to this paragraph (c) shall cease, and the Grantors shall have the exclusive right to exercise the voting and consensual rights and powers they would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06.

 

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(d) Any notice given by the Administrative Agent to the Grantors suspending their rights under paragraph (a) of this Section 2.06 (i) may be given by telephone if promptly confirmed in writing, (ii) may be given with respect to one or more of the Grantors at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights of the Grantors under paragraph (a)(i) or paragraph (a)(iii) in part without suspending all such rights (as specified by the Administrative Agent in its sole and absolute discretion) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Administrative Agent’s rights to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

ARTICLE III

Security Interests in Personal Property

SECTION 3.01. Security Interest .

(a) As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, each Grantor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “ Security Interest ”) in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under any and all of the following assets now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “ Article 9 Collateral ”):

(I) all Accounts;

(II) all Chattel Paper;

(III) all Cash and Deposit Accounts;

(IV) all Documents;

(V) all Equipment;

(VI) all General Intangibles, including all Intellectual Property;

(VII) all Instruments;

(VIII) all Inventory;

(IX) all other Goods and Fixtures;

(X) all Investment Property;

(XI) all Letter-of-Credit Rights;

(XII) all Commercial Tort Claims specifically described on Schedule IV hereto, as such schedule may be supplemented from time to time pursuant to Section 3.04(d);

(XIII) all books and records pertaining to the Article 9 Collateral; and

 

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(XIV) to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing;

provided that in no event shall the Security Interest attach to (A) any lease, license, contract or agreement to which a Grantor is a party or any of its rights or interests thereunder if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of such security interest shall constitute or result in a breach or termination pursuant to the terms of, or a default under, any such lease, license, contract or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective, or is otherwise unenforceable, pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the New York UCC or any other applicable Requirement of Law); provided that, to the extent severable, the Security Interest shall attach immediately to any portion of such lease, license, contract or agreement that does not result in any such breach, termination or default, including any Proceeds of such lease, license, contract or agreement; (B) any motor vehicle or other asset covered by a certificate of title or ownership, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, the perfection of which is excluded from the UCC in the relevant jurisdiction; (C) any asset owned by any Grantor that is subject to a Lien of the type permitted by Section 6.02(iv) of the Credit Agreement (whether or not incurred pursuant to such Section) or a Lien permitted by Section 6.02(xi) of the Credit Agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective, or is otherwise unenforceable, pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the New York UCC or any other applicable Requirement of Law), in each case if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon hereunder to secure the Secured Obligations constitutes a breach of or a default under any agreement pursuant to which such Lien has been created; provided that the Security Interest shall attach immediately to any such asset (x) at the time the provision of such agreement containing such restriction ceases to be in effect and (y) to the extent any such breach or default is not rendered ineffective by, or is otherwise unenforceable under, any Requirements of Law; (D) any asset owned by any Grantor with respect to which Holdings shall have provided to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that, based on advice of outside counsel or tax advisors of national recognition, the creation of such security interest in such asset hereunder would result in adverse tax consequences to Holdings and the Subsidiaries (other than on account of any Taxes payable in connection with filings, recordings, registrations, stampings and any similar acts in connection with the creation or perfection of the Liens granted hereunder) that shall have been determined by Holdings to be material to Holdings and the Subsidiaries; (E) any asset owned by any Grantor if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of such security interest in such asset shall be prohibited by any applicable Requirements of Law (other than to the extent that any such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to the New York UCC or any other applicable Requirements of Law); provided that the Security Interest shall attach immediately to such asset at such time as such prohibition ceases to be in effect; (F) any asset owned by any Grantor that the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall have agreed in writing to exclude from being Article 9 Collateral on account of the cost of creating a security interest in such asset hereunder (including any adverse tax consequences to Holdings and the Subsidiaries resulting therefrom) being excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom; (G) any intent-to-use trademark applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office; and (H) the Excluded Equity Interests (it being understood that, to the extent the Security Interest shall not have attached to any such asset as a result of clauses (A) through (H) above, the term “Article 9 Collateral” shall not include any such asset). In each case to the extent a security interest therein cannot be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law.

(b) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent at any time and from time to time to file in any relevant jurisdiction any initial financing statements (including fixture filings) with respect to the Article 9 Collateral or any part thereof and amendments thereto that (i) describe the collateral covered thereby in any manner that the Administrative Agent reasonably determines is necessary or advisable to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Article 9

 

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Collateral granted under this Agreement, including indicating the Collateral as “all assets” of such Grantor or words of similar effect, and (ii) contain the information required by Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or the analogous legislation of each applicable jurisdiction for the filing of any financing statement or amendment, including (A) whether such Grantor is an organization, the type of organization and any organizational identification number issued to such Grantor and (B) in the case of a financing statement filed as a fixture filing, a sufficient description of the real property to which such Article 9 Collateral relates. Each Grantor agrees to provide such information to the Administrative Agent promptly upon request.

Each Grantor also ratifies its authorization for the Administrative Agent to file in any relevant jurisdiction any initial financing statements or amendments thereto with respect to the Article 9 Collateral or any part thereof naming any Grantor as debtor or the Grantors as debtors and the Administrative Agent as secured party, if filed prior to the date hereof.

The Administrative Agent is further authorized to file with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office (or any successor office or any similar office in any other country) such documents as may be reasonably necessary or advisable for the purpose of perfecting, confirming, continuing, enforcing or protecting the Security Interest in Article 9 Collateral consisting of Patents, Trademarks or Copyrights granted by each Grantor and naming any Grantor or the Grantors as debtors and the Administrative Agent as secured party.

(c) The Security Interest and the security interest granted pursuant to Article II are granted as security only and shall not subject the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party to, or in any way alter or modify, any obligation or liability of any Grantor with respect to or arising out of the Collateral.

SECTION 3.02. Representations and Warranties . The Grantors jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

(a) Each Grantor has good and valid rights in and title to the Article 9 Collateral with respect to which it has purported to grant a Security Interest hereunder, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes, in each case except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and has full power and authority to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Security Interest in such Article 9 Collateral pursuant hereto and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without the consent or approval of any other Person other than any consent or approval that has been obtained and except to the extent that failure to obtain or make such consent or approval, as the case may be, individually or in aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Perfection Certificate has been duly prepared, completed and executed and the information set forth therein, including the exact legal name and jurisdiction of organization of each Grantor, is correct and complete in all material respects as of the Effective Date. The Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (including fixture filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations prepared by the Administrative Agent based upon the information provided to the Administrative Agent in the Perfection Certificate for filing in each governmental, municipal or other office specified in Schedule 2 to the Perfection Certificate (or specified by notice from the Parent Borrower to the Administrative Agent after the Effective Date in the case of filings, recordings or registrations required by Section 5.03 or 5.12 of the

 

 

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Credit Agreement), are all the filings, recordings and registrations (other than filings required to be made in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office in order to perfect the Security Interest in Article 9 Collateral consisting of United States Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights) that are necessary to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in respect of all Article 9 Collateral in which the Security Interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registration in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions, and no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration or reregistration is necessary in any such jurisdiction, except as provided under applicable law with respect to the filing of continuation statements (other than such actions as are necessary to perfect the Security Interest with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of registered or applied for Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights acquired or developed by a Grantor after the date hereof). The Grantors represent and warrant that a fully executed Patent Security Agreement, Trademark Security Agreement and Copyright Security Agreement, in each case containing a description of the Article 9 Collateral consisting of United States registered Patents, United States registered Trademarks and United States registered Copyrights (and applications for any of the foregoing), as applicable, and executed by each Grantor owning any such Article 9 Collateral, have been delivered to the Administrative Agent for recording with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 261, 15 U.S.C. § 1060 or 17 U.S.C. § 205 and the regulations thereunder, as applicable, and otherwise as may be required pursuant to the laws of any other necessary jurisdiction, to protect the validity of and to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in respect of all Article 9 Collateral consisting of Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights in which a security interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registration in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions, and no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration or reregistration is necessary (other than such actions as are necessary to perfect the Security Interest with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of registered or applied for Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights acquired or developed by a Grantor after the date hereof).

(c) The Security Interest constitutes (i) a legal and valid security interest in all the Article 9 Collateral securing the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, (ii) subject to the filings described in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.02, a perfected security interest in all Article 9 Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registering a financing statement or analogous document in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law in such jurisdictions and (iii) subject to the filings described in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.02, a security interest that shall be perfected in all Article 9 Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected upon the receipt and recording of a Patent Security Agreement, a Trademark Security Agreement and a Copyright Security Agreement with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, within the three-month period after the date hereof pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 261 or 15 U.S.C. § 1060 or the one-month period after the date hereof pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 205. The Security Interest is and shall be prior to any other Lien on any of the Article 9 Collateral, other than Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement.

(d) The Article 9 Collateral is owned by the Grantors free and clear of any Lien, except for Liens expressly permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement. None of the Grantors has filed or consented to the filing of (i) any financing statement or analogous document under the Uniform Commercial Code or any other applicable laws covering any Article 9 Collateral, (ii) any assignment in which any Grantor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or

 

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any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office or (iii) any assignment in which any Grantor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with any foreign governmental, municipal or other office, which financing statement or analogous document, assignment, security agreement or similar instrument is still in effect, except, in each case, for Liens expressly permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 3.03. Covenants .

(a) Each Grantor shall, at its own expense, take any and all commercially reasonable actions necessary to defend title to the Article 9 Collateral against all Persons, except with respect to Article 9 Collateral that such Grantor determines in its reasonable business judgment is no longer necessary or beneficial to the conduct of such Grantor’s business, and to defend the Security Interest of the Administrative Agent in the Article 9 Collateral and the priority thereof against any Lien not permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement, subject to the rights of such Grantor under Section 9.15 of the Credit Agreement and corresponding provisions of the Security Documents to obtain a release of the Liens created under the Security Documents.

(b) Each Grantor agrees, at its own expense, to execute, acknowledge, deliver and cause to be duly filed all such further instruments and documents and take all such actions as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request to better assure, preserve, protect and perfect the Security Interest and the rights and remedies created hereby, including the payment of any fees and Taxes required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the granting of the Security Interest and the filing of any financing statements (including fixture filings) or other documents in connection herewith or therewith. If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Article 9 Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any promissory note (which may be a global note) or other instrument (other than any promissory note or other instrument in an aggregate principal amount of less than $5,000,000 owed to the applicable Grantor by any Person), such note or instrument shall be promptly pledged and delivered to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, together with an undated instrument of transfer duly executed in blank and in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent, with prompt written notice thereof to the Grantors, to supplement this Agreement by supplementing Schedule III or adding additional schedules hereto to identify specifically any asset or item that may constitute an application or registration for any Copyright, Patent or Trademark; provided that any Grantor shall have the right, exercisable within 10 days (or such longer period as shall be agreed by the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent) after it has been notified in writing by the Administrative Agent of the specific identification of such Collateral, to advise the Administrative Agent in writing of any inaccuracy (i) with respect to such supplement or additional schedule or (ii) of the representations and warranties made by such Grantor hereunder with respect to such Collateral. Each Grantor agrees that, at the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, it will use commercially reasonable efforts to take such action as shall be reasonably necessary in order that all representations and warranties hereunder shall be true and correct with respect to such Collateral within 10 days (or such longer period as shall be agreed by the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent) after the date it has been notified in writing by the Administrative Agent of the specific identification of such Collateral.

 

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(c) At its option, the Administrative Agent may discharge past due taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on the Article 9 Collateral and not permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement, and may pay for the maintenance and preservation of the Article 9 Collateral to the extent any Grantor fails to do so as required by the Credit Agreement, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and within a reasonable period of time after the Administrative Agent has requested that it do so, and each Grantor jointly and severally agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand, for any reasonable payment made or any reasonable expense incurred by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the foregoing authorization; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be interpreted as excusing any Grantor from the performance of, or imposing any obligation on the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party to cure or perform, any covenants or other promises of any Grantor with respect to taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances and maintenance as set forth herein or in the other Loan Documents.

(d) Each Grantor shall remain liable, as between such Grantor and the relevant counterparty under each contract, agreement or instrument relating to the Article 9 Collateral, to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it under such contract, agreement or instrument, all in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof, and each Grantor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties from and against any and all liability for such performance.

(e) It is understood that no Grantor shall be required by this Agreement to perfect the security interests created hereunder by any means other than (i) filings pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code, (ii) filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office (or any successor office) in respect of registered Intellectual Property ( provided that, with respect to Licenses, such filings shall be limited to exclusive Copyright Licenses under which such Grantor is a licensee) and (iii) in the case of Collateral that constitutes Tangible Chattel Paper, Pledged Securities, Instruments, Certificated Securities or Negotiable Documents, delivery thereof to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms hereof (together with, where applicable, undated stock or note powers or other undated proper instruments of assignment). No Grantor shall be required to deliver control agreements with respect to Deposit Accounts and other bank or securities accounts.

(f) Each Grantor irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent (and all officers, employees or agents designated by the Administrative Agent) as such Grantor’s true and lawful agent (and attorney-in-fact) for the purpose, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice to the Parent Borrower of its intent to exercise such rights, of making, settling and adjusting claims in respect of Article 9 Collateral under policies of insurance, endorsing the name of such Grantor on any check, draft, instrument or other item of payment for the proceeds of such policies of insurance and for making all determinations and decisions with respect thereto. In the event that any Grantor at any time or times shall fail to obtain or maintain any of the policies of insurance required hereby or to pay any premium in whole or part relating thereto, the Administrative Agent may, without waiving or releasing any obligation or liability of the Grantors hereunder or any Default or Event of Default, in its sole discretion, obtain and maintain such policies of insurance and pay such premium and take any other actions with respect thereto as the Administrative Agent reasonably deems advisable. All sums disbursed by the Administrative Agent in connection with this paragraph, including reasonable out-of- pocket attorneys’ fees, court costs, expenses and other charges relating thereto, shall be payable, within 10 days of demand, by the Grantors to the Administrative Agent and shall be additional Secured Obligations secured hereby.

 

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SECTION 3.04. Other Actions . In order to further insure the attachment, perfection and priority of, and the ability of the Administrative Agent to enforce, the Security Interest, each Grantor agrees, in each case at such Grantor’s own expense, to take the following actions with respect to the following Article 9 Collateral:

(a) Instruments . If any Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire any Instruments constituting Collateral (other than Instruments with a face amount of less than $5,000,000 and other than checks to be deposited in the ordinary course of business), such Grantor shall promptly endorse, assign and deliver the same to the Administrative Agent, accompanied by such undated instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

(b) Investment Property . Except to the extent otherwise provided in Article II, if any Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire any certificated securities, such Grantor shall forthwith endorse, assign and deliver the same to the Administrative Agent, accompanied by such undated instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

(c) Letter-of-Credit Rights . If any Grantor is at any time a beneficiary under a letter of credit with an aggregate face amount in excess of $5,000,000 now or hereafter issued in favor of such Grantor that is not a Supporting Obligation with respect to any of the Collateral, such Grantor shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof and, at the request and option of the Administrative Agent, such Grantor shall, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, either (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for the issuer and any confirmer of such letter of credit to consent to an assignment to the Administrative Agent of the proceeds of any drawing under such letter of credit or (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for the Administrative Agent to become the transferee beneficiary of such letter of credit, with the Administrative Agent agreeing, in each case, that the proceeds of any drawing under such letter of credit are to be paid to the applicable Grantor unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

(d) Commercial Tort Claims . If any Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire a Commercial Tort Claim in an amount reasonably estimated to exceed $5,000,000, such Grantor shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof in a writing signed by such Grantor, including a summary description of such claim, and Schedule IV shall be deemed to be supplemented to include such description of such commercial tort claim as set forth in such writing.

SECTION 3.05. Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral .

(a) Except to the extent failure so to act could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect of the type referred to in clause (a) or (b) of the definition of such term in the Credit Agreement, with respect to registration or pending application of each item of its Intellectual Property for which such Grantor has standing to do so, each Grantor agrees (i) to maintain the validity and enforceability of any registered Intellectual Property (or applications therefor) and to maintain such registrations and applications of Intellectual Property in full force and effect and (ii) to pursue the registration and maintenance of each Patent, Trademark or Copyright registration or application, now or hereafter included in the Intellectual Property of such Grantor, including the payment of required fees and taxes, the filing of responses to office actions issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office or other governmental authorities, the filing of applications for renewal or extension, the filing of affidavits under Sections 8 and 15 of the U.S. Trademark Act, the filing of divisional, continuation, continuation-in-part, reissue and renewal applications or extensions, the payment of maintenance fees and the participation in interference, reexamination, opposition, cancellation, infringement and misappropriation proceedings.

 

 

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(b) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect of the type referred to in clause (a) or (b) of the definition of such term in the Credit Agreement, no Grantor shall do or permit any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby any of its Intellectual Property may lapse, be terminated, or become invalid or unenforceable or placed in the public domain (or in case of a trade secret, lose its competitive value).

(c) Except where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect of the type referred to in clause (a) or (b) of the definition of such term in the Credit Agreement, each Grantor shall take all steps to preserve and protect each item of its Intellectual Property, including maintaining the quality of any and all products or services used or provided in connection with any of the Trademarks, consistent with the quality of the products and services as of the date hereof, and taking all steps necessary to ensure that all licensed users of any of the Trademarks abide by the applicable license’s terms with respect to the standards of quality.

(d) Each Grantor agrees that, should it obtain an ownership or other interest in any Intellectual Property after the Effective Date, (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall automatically apply thereto and (ii) any such Intellectual Property and, in the case of Trademarks, the goodwill symbolized thereby, shall automatically become Intellectual Property subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement .

(e) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent any Grantor from disposing of, discontinuing the use or maintenance of, failing to pursue or otherwise allowing to lapse, terminate or put into the public domain any of its Intellectual Property to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement if such Grantor determines in its reasonable business judgment that such discontinuance is desirable in the conduct of its business.

ARTICLE IV

Remedies

SECTION 4.01. Remedies upon Default . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor agrees to deliver, on demand, each item of Collateral to the Administrative Agent or any Person designated by the Administrative Agent, and it is agreed that the Administrative Agent shall have the right to take any of or all the following actions at the same or different times: (a) with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property, on demand, to cause the Security Interest to become an assignment, transfer and conveyance of any of or all such Article 9 Collateral by the applicable Grantors to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, or to license or sublicense, whether on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis, any such Article 9 Collateral throughout the world on such terms and conditions and in such manner as the Administrative Agent shall determine (other than in violation of any then-existing licensing arrangements to the extent that waivers cannot be obtained), and (b) with or without legal process and with or without demand for performance but with notice (which need not be prior notice), to take possession of the Article 9 Collateral and the Pledged Collateral and without liability for trespass to enter any premises where the Article 9 Collateral or the Pledged Collateral may be located for the purpose of taking possession of or removing the Article 9 Collateral and the Pledged Collateral and, generally, to exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor agrees that the Administrative Agent shall have the right, subject to the mandatory requirements of applicable law and the notice requirements described below, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at a public or private sale or at any broker’s board or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate. The Administrative Agent shall be authorized at any such

 

 

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sale of securities (if it deems it advisable to do so) to restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers to Persons who will represent and agree that they are purchasing the Collateral for their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof, and upon consummation of any such sale the Administrative Agent shall have the right to assign, transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any sale of Collateral shall hold the property sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of any Grantor, and each Grantor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay and appraisal that such Grantor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

The Administrative Agent shall give the applicable Grantors no less than 10 days’ written notice (which each Grantor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Administrative Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral. Such notice, in the case of a public sale, shall state the time and place for such sale and, in the case of a sale at a broker’s board or on a securities exchange, shall state the board or exchange at which such sale is to be made and the day on which the Collateral or portion thereof, will first be offered for sale at such board or exchange. Any such public sale shall be held at such time or times within ordinary business hours and at such place or places as the Administrative Agent may fix and state in the notice (if any) of such sale. At any such sale, the Collateral, or portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Administrative Agent may (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine. The Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given. The Administrative Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In case any sale of all or any part of the Collateral is made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may be retained by the Administrative Agent until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties shall not incur any liability in case any such purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon like notice. At any public (or, to the extent permitted by law, private) sale made pursuant to this Agreement, any Secured Party may bid for or purchase, free (to the extent permitted by law) from any right of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the part of any Grantor (all said rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by law), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for sale and may make payment on account thereof by using any claim then due and payable to such Secured Party from any Grantor as a credit against the purchase price, and such Secured Party may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to any Grantor therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Administrative Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and no Grantor shall be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Administrative Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Secured Obligations paid in full. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Administrative Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court- appointed receiver. Any sale pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.01 shall be deemed to conform to the commercially reasonable standards as provided in Section 9-610(b) of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions.

 

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SECTION 4.02. Application of Proceeds . The Administrative Agent shall apply the proceeds of any collection or sale of Collateral, including any Collateral consisting of cash, as follows:

FIRST, to the payment of all costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with such collection or sale or otherwise in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any of the Secured Obligations, including all court costs and the fees and expenses of its agents and legal counsel, the repayment of all advances made by the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document on behalf of any Grantor and any other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

SECOND, to the payment in full of the Revolving Obligations (the amounts so applied to be distributed among the Revolving Secured Parties pro rata in accordance with the amounts of the Revolving Obligations owed to them on the date of any such distribution); and

THIRD, to the payment in full of the Non-Revolving Obligations (the amounts so applied to be distributed among the Non-Revolving Secured Parties pro rata in accordance with the amounts of the Non-Revolving Obligations owed to them on the date of any such distribution); and

FOURTH, to the Grantors, their successors or assigns, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.

The Administrative Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Administrative Agent (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the Administrative Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Administrative Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.

SECTION 4.03. Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property . For the purpose of enabling the Administrative Agent to exercise rights and remedies under this Agreement, each Grantor shall, upon request by the Administrative Agent solely during the continuance of an Event of Default, grant to the Administrative Agent an irrevocable, nonexclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to the Grantors) to use, license or sublicense any of the Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, and wherever the same may be located, and including in such license reasonable access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof to the extent that such non-exclusive license (a) does not violate the express terms of any agreement between a Grantor and a third party governing the applicable Grantor’s use of such Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property, or gives such third party any right of acceleration, modification or cancellation therein and (b) is not prohibited by any Requirements of Law; provided that such licenses to be granted hereunder with respect to Trademarks shall be subject to the maintenance of quality standards with respect to the goods and services on which such Trademarks are used sufficient to preserve the validity of such Trademarks. The use of such license by the Administrative Agent may be exercised, at the option of the Administrative Agent, during the continuation of an Event of Default; provided further that any license, sublicense or other transaction entered into by the Administrative Agent in accordance herewith shall be binding upon the Grantors notwithstanding any subsequent cure of an Event of Default.

 

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SECTION 4.04. Securities Act . In view of the position of the Grantors in relation to the Pledged Collateral, or because of other current or future circumstances, a question may arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as now or hereafter in effect, or any similar statute hereafter enacted analogous in purpose or effect (such Act and any such similar statute as from time to time in effect being called the “ Federal Securities Laws ”) with respect to any disposition of the Pledged Collateral permitted hereunder. Each Grantor understands that compliance with the Federal Securities Laws might very strictly limit the course of conduct of the Administrative Agent if the Administrative Agent were to attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Pledged Collateral, and might also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any subsequent transferee of any Pledged Collateral could dispose of the same. Similarly, there may be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting the Administrative Agent in any attempt to dispose of all or part of the Pledged Collateral under applicable blue sky or other state securities laws or similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. Each Grantor recognizes that in light of such restrictions and limitations the Administrative Agent may, with respect to any sale of the Pledged Collateral, limit the purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire such Pledged Collateral for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that in light of such restrictions and limitations, the Administrative Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, (a) may proceed to make such a sale whether or not a registration statement for the purpose of registering such Pledged Collateral or part thereof shall have been filed under the Federal Securities Laws to the extent the Administrative Agent has determined that such a registration is not required by any Requirement of Law and (b) may approach and negotiate with a limited number of potential purchasers (including a single potential purchaser) to effect such sale. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that any such sale might result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale without such restrictions. In the event of any such sale, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Collateral at a price that the Administrative Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, may in good faith deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a limited number of purchasers (or a single purchaser) were approached. The provisions of this Section 4.04 will apply notwithstanding the existence of a public or private market upon which the quotations or sales prices may exceed substantially the price at which the Administrative Agent sells.

ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous

SECTION 5.01 Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to any Grantor shall be given to it in care of Holdings as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5.02 Waivers; Amendment .

(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.02, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time. No notice or demand on any Loan Party in any case shall entitle any Loan Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

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(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Grantor or Grantors with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement; provided that the Administrative Agent may, without the consent of any Secured Party, consent to a departure by any Grantor from any covenant of such Grantor set forth herein to the extent such departure is consistent with the authority of the Administrative Agent set forth in the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” in the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5.03 Administrative Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .

(a) Each Grantor, jointly with the other Grantors and severally, agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for its fees and expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 9.03(a) of the Credit Agreement; provided that each reference therein to the “Parent Borrower” shall be deemed to be a reference to “each Grantor”.

(b) Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Loan Documents, each Grantor, jointly with the other Grantors and severally, agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent and the other Indemnitees against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether brought by a third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of, or a breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties.

(c) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Grantor shall assert, and each Grantor hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such damages are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of, or a breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties, or (ii) on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(d) The provisions of this Section 5.03 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, the repayment of any of the Secured Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of any Secured Party. All amounts due under this Section shall be

 

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payable not later than 10 Business Days after written demand therefor; provided , however , any Indemnitee shall promptly refund an indemnification payment received hereunder to the extent that there is a final judicial determination that such Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification with respect to such payment pursuant to this Section 5.03. Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Secured Obligations.

SECTION 5.04 Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Grantor or the Administrative Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 5.05 Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in this Agreement or any other Loan Document and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Secured Parties and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Secured Party and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Secured Party may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and shall continue in full force and effect until such time as (a) all the Loan Document Obligations (including LC Disbursements, if any, but excluding contingent obligations as to which no claim has been made) have been paid in full in cash, (b) all Commitments have terminated or expired and (c) the LC Exposure has been reduced to zero (including as a result of obtaining the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank as described in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement) and the Issuing Banks have no further obligation to issue or amend Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5.06 Counterparts; Effectiveness; Several Agreement . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective as to any Grantor when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such Grantor shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Administrative Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such Grantor and the Administrative Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such Grantor, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective successors and assigns, except that no Grantor shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as expressly provided in this Agreement and the Credit Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each Grantor and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released with respect to any Grantor without the approval of any other Grantor and without affecting the obligations of any other Grantor hereunder.

SECTION 5.07 Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

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SECTION 5.08 Right of Set-Off . If an Event of Default under Sections 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) of the Credit Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Grantor against any of and all the obligations of such Grantor then due and owing under this Agreement held by such Lender or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or such Issuing Bank different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness. The applicable Lender and Issuing Bank shall notify the applicable Grantor and the Administrative Agent of such setoff and application; provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such setoff and application under this Section 5.08. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section 5.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates may have.

SECTION 5.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Appointment of Service of Process Agent .

(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against any Grantor or its respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5.01. Nothing in any Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

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(e) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers the Parent Borrower as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and in respect of its property, service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents that may be served in any such action or proceeding.

SECTION 5.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.10.

SECTION 5.11 Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 5.12 Security Interest Absolute . All rights of the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Security Interest, the grant of a security interest in the Pledged Collateral and all obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Secured Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Secured Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument, (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Secured Obligations or (d) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Grantor in respect of the Secured Obligations or this Agreement.

SECTION 5.13 Termination or Release .

(a) This Agreement, the Security Interest and all other security interests granted hereby shall terminate when (i) all the Loan Document Obligations (including all LC Disbursements, if any, but excluding contingent obligations as to which no claim has been made) have been paid in full in cash, (ii) all Commitments have terminated or expired and (iii) the LC Exposure has been reduced to zero (including as a result of obtaining the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank as described in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement) and the Issuing Banks have no further obligation to issue or amend Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement.

(b) The Security Interest and all other security interests granted hereby shall also terminate and be released at the time or times and in the manner set forth in Section 9.15 of the Credit Agreement. A Subsidiary Loan party shall also be released from its obligations under this Agreement at the time or times and in the manner set forth in Section 9.15 of the Credit Agreement.

 

 

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(c) In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 5.14 Additional Subsidiaries . Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, additional Subsidiaries may or may be required to become Grantors after the date hereof. Upon execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent and a Subsidiary of a Supplement, any such Subsidiary shall become a Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as such herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other Grantor hereunder. The rights and obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any Subsidiary as a party to this Agreement.

SECTION 5.15 Administrative Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact . Each Grantor hereby appoints the Administrative Agent the attorney-in-fact of such Grantor for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof at any time after and during the continuance of an Event of Default, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall have the right, but only upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and notice by the Administrative Agent to the Parent Borrower of its intent to exercise such rights, with full power of substitution either in the Administrative Agent’s name or in the name of such Grantor (a) to receive, endorse, assign and/or deliver any and all notes, acceptances, checks, drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment relating to the Collateral or any part thereof; (b) to demand, collect, receive payment of, give receipt for and give discharges and releases of all or any of the Collateral; (c) to sign the name of any Grantor on any invoice or bill of lading relating to any of the Collateral; (d) to send verifications of Accounts Receivable to any Account Debtor; (e) to commence and prosecute any and all suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect or otherwise realize on all or any of the Collateral or to enforce any rights in respect of any Collateral; (f) to settle, compromise, compound, adjust or defend any actions, suits or proceedings relating to all or any of the Collateral; (g) to notify, or to require any Grantor to notify, Account Debtors to make payment directly to the Administrative Agent; and (h) to use, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with all or any of the Collateral, and to do all other acts and things necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, as fully and completely as though the Administrative Agent were the absolute owner of the Collateral for all purposes; provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring or obligating the Administrative Agent to make any commitment or to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by the Administrative Agent, or to present or file any claim or notice, or to take any action with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof or the moneys due or to become due in respect thereof or any property covered thereby. The Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts actually received as a result of the exercise of the powers granted to them herein, and neither they nor their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or wilful misconduct or that of any of their Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, counsel, agents or attorneys-in-fact.

SECTION 5.16 Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classification . The Borrowers and all other Grantors, the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties agree and acknowledge that (i) the grants of Liens to the Revolving Secured Parties on the one hand, and the Non-Revolving Secured Parties on the other hand, pursuant to this Agreement constitute two separate and distinct grants of Liens and (ii) because of, among other things, their differing respective rights in the

 

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Pledged Collateral or all other collateral, the Non-Revolving Obligations are fundamentally different from the Revolving Obligations and must be separately classified in any plan of reorganization proposed or adopted in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it is held that the claims of the Revolving Secured Parties and Non-Revolving Secured Parties in respect of the Pledged Collateral constitute only one secured claim (rather than separate classes of senior and junior secured claims), then the Revolving Secured Parties shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them from, or in respect of, the Pledged Collateral in respect of principal, pre-petition interest, and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of post-petition interest, fees, costs, expenses, premiums, and other charges, irrespective of whether a claim for such amounts is allowed or allowable in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, before any distribution from, or in respect of, any Pledged Collateral is made in respect of the claims held by the Non-Revolving Secured Parties), with the Non- Revolving Secured Parties’ hereby acknowledging and agreeing to hold in trust and promptly transfer to the Revolving Secured Parties amounts otherwise received or receivable by them from, on account of or relating to the Pledged Collateral to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such transfer has the effect of reducing the claim or recovery of the Non-Revolving Secured Parties. Each Non- Revolving Secured Party (whether in the capacity of a secured creditor or an unsecured creditor) shall not propose, vote in favor of, or otherwise directly or indirectly support any plan of reorganization that is inconsistent with the priorities or other provisions of this Agreement, other than with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or to the extent any such plan is proposed or supported by the number of Revolving Secured Parties required under Section 1126(d) of the Bankruptcy Code. This Agreement, which the parties hereto acknowledge shall constitute a “subordination agreement” for the purposes of Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, shall be applicable prior to and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC., as Co-Borrower and Grantor
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (DE), INC., as a Grantor
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
CONXTRA, INC., as a Grantor,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO C OLLATERAL A GREEMENT


Schedule I to the

Collateral Agreement

GRANTORS

 

Name

  

Jurisdiction of Formation

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., and

  

Delaware

SMART Modular Technologies (DE), Inc.

  

California

ConXtra, Inc.,

  

California


Schedule II to the

Collateral Agreement

PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS

 

Grantor

  

Issuer

  

Number of

Certificate

  

Number and

Class of

Equity Interests

  

Percentage

of Equity Interests

PLEDGED DEBT SECURITIES

 

Grantor

  

Issuer

  

Principal

Amount

  

Date of Note

  

Maturity Date


Schedule III to the

Collateral Agreement

COPYRIGHTS OWNED BY [NAME Of GRANTOR]

[Make a separate page of Schedule III for each Grantor and state if no copyrights are owned. List in numerical order by Registration No.]

Copyright Registrations

[List in alphabetical order by country/numerical order by Registration No. within each country]

 

Country

  

Title

  

Reg. No.

  

Author

Pending Copyright Applications for Registration

[List in alphabetical order by country.]

 

Country

  

Title

  

Author

  

Class

  

Date Filed


Schedule III to the

Collateral Agreement

LICENSES

[Make a separate page of Schedule III for each Grantor, and state if any Grantor is not a party to a license/sublicense.]

I. Licenses/Sublicensees of [Name of Grantor] as Licensor on Date Hereof

A. Copyrights

[List copyrights by country in alphabetical order with Registration Nos. within each country in numerical order.]

 

Copyrights               
          Date of               
     Licensee Name    License/    Title of          

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Copyrights

  

Author

  

Reg. No.

B. Patents

[List patent nos. and application nos. in alphabetical order by country, with numbers within each country in numerical order.]

 

Patents

           
     Licensee Name    Date of License/    Issue     

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Date

  

Patent No.

 

Patent Applications

        
     Licensee Name    Date of License/    Date    Application

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Filed

  

No.


C. Trademarks

[List trademark nos. and trademark application nos. with trademark nos. within each country in numerical order.]

 

Trademarks

              
     Licensee Name    Date of License/               

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Mark

  

Reg. Date

  

Reg. No.

 

Trademark Applications

     Licensee Name    Date of License/         Date    Application

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Mark

  

Filed

  

No.

 

D. Others

     
Licensee Name    Date of License/    Subject

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Matter


Schedule III to the

Collateral Agreement

II. Licensees/Sublicenses of [Name of Grantor] as Licensee on Date Hereof

A. Copyrights

[List copyrights by country in alphabetical order, with Registration Nos. within each country in numerical order.]

Copyrights

Country    Licensor Name and
Address
   Date of License/
Sublicense
   Title of Copyrights    Author   

Reg. No.

B. Patents

[List patent nos. and patent application nos. in alphabetical order by country with patent nos. within each country in numerical order.]

Patents

Country

  

Licensor Name and Address

  

Date of License/
Sublicense

  

Issue Date

  

Patent No.

 

Patent Applications

        

Country

  

Licensor Name and Address

  

Date of License/
Sublicense

  

Date Filed

  

Application No.

C. Trademarks

[List trademark nos. and trademark application nos. with trademark nos. within each country in numerical order.]


Trademarks

              
     Licensor Name    Date of License/               

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Mark

  

Reg. Date

  

Reg. No.

Trademark Applications

           
     Licensor Name    Date of License/         Date    Application

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Mark

  

Filed

  

No.

 

D. Others

     

Licensor Name and Address

  

Date of License/

Sublicense

  

Subject Matter


Schedule III to the

Collateral Agreement

PATENTS OWNED BY [NAME OF GRANTOR]

[Make a separate page of Schedule III for each Grantor and state if no patents are owned. List in numerical order by patent no./patent application no.]

Patent Registrations

[List in alphabetical order by country/numerical order by patent no. within each country.]

 

Country

  

Issue Date

  

Patent No.

Patent Registrations

[List in alphabetical order by country/numerical order by application no. within each country.]

 

Country

  

Filing Date

  

Patent Application No.

TRADEMARK/TRADE NAMES OWNED BY [NAME OF GRANTOR]


Schedule III to the

Collateral Agreement

[Make a separate page of Schedule III for each Grantor and state if no trademarks/trade names are owned.

Trademark Registrations

[List in alphabetical order by country/numerical order by trademark no. within each country.]

 

Country

 

Mark

  

Reg. Date

  

Reg. No.

 

Trademark Applications

        

[List in alphabetical order by country/numerical order by application no.]

  

Country

  

Mark

  

Application Date

  

Application No.

 

Trade Names

        

Country(s) Where Used

            

Trade Names


Schedule IV to the

Collateral Agreement

COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS


Exhibit I to the

Collateral Agreement

SUPPLEMENT NO. dated as of [         ] (this “Supplement”), to the Collateral Agreement dated as of [         ], 2011 (the “ Collateral Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. (the “ Co-Borrower ”), the other GRANTORS from time to time party thereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”).

A. Reference is made to (a) the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and (b) the Collateral Agreement.

B. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement and the Collateral Agreement, as applicable.

C. The Grantors have entered into the Collateral Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans and the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit. Section 5.14 of the Collateral Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Grantors under the Collateral Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement to become a Grantor under the Collateral Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and the Issuing Banks to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued.

Accordingly, the Administrative Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 5.14 of the Collateral Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Grantor under the Collateral Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor, and the New Subsidiary hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Collateral Agreement applicable to it as a Grantor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Grantor thereunder are true and correct on and as of the date hereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, the New Subsidiary, as security for the payment and performance in full of the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Collateral Agreement), does hereby create and grant to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and lien on all of the New Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Pledged Collateral and the Article 9 Collateral (as each such term is defined in the Collateral Agreement). Each reference to a “Grantor” in the Collateral Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Collateral Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability of such obligations may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.


SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement. This Supplement shall become effective as to the New Subsidiary when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of the New Subsidiary shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Administrative Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon the New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the New Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective successors and assigns, except that the New Subsidiary shall not have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as expressly provided in this Supplement, the Collateral Agreement and the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 4. The New Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants that (a) set forth on Schedule I attached hereto is a schedule with the true and correct legal name of the New Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of formation and the location of its chief executive office, (b) Schedule II sets forth a true and complete list, with respect to the New Subsidiary, of (i) all the Equity Interests owned by the New Subsidiary in any Subsidiary and the percentage of the issued and outstanding units of each class of the Equity Interests of the issuer thereof represented by the Pledged Equity Interests owned by the New Subsidiary and (ii) all the Pledged Debt Securities owned by the New Subsidiary and (c) Schedule III attached hereto sets forth, as of the date hereof, (i) all of the New Subsidiary’s Patents, including the name of the registered owner, type, registration or application number and the expiration date (if already registered) of each such Patent owned by the New Subsidiary, (ii) all of the New Subsidiary’s Trademarks, including the name of the registered owner, the registration or application number and the expiration date (if already registered) of each such Trademark owned by the New Subsidiary, and (iii) all of the New Subsidiary’s Copyrights, including the name of the registered owner, title and, if applicable, the registration number of each such Copyright owned by the New Subsidiary, and (d) Schedule IV attached hereto sets forth, as of the date hereof, each Commercial Tort Claim in respect of which a complaint or counterclaim has been filed by the New Subsidiary seeking damages in an amount of $5,000,000 or more.

SECTION 5. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Collateral Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 7. Any provision of this Supplement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 8. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Collateral Agreement.

SECTION 9. The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for its fees and expenses incurred hereunder and under the Collateral Agreement as provided in Section 9.03(a) of the Credit Agreement; provided that each reference therein to the “Parent Borrower” shall be deemed to be a reference to “the New Subsidiary.”


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent have duly executed this Supplement to the Collateral Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW SUBSIDIARY],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
  Legal Name:
  Jurisdiction of Formation:
  Location of Chief Executive Office:

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO S UPPLEMENT TO C OLLATERAL A GREEMENT


Schedule I

to Supplement No.      to the

Collateral Agreement

 

Name

  

Jurisdiction of Formation

  

Chief Executive Office


Schedule II

to Supplement No.      to the

Collateral Agreement

PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS

 

Grantor

  

Issuer

  

Number of
Certificate

  

Number and

Class of
Equity Interests

  

Percentage of

Equity Interests

PLEDGED DEBT SECURITIES

 

Grantor

  

Issuer

  

Principal
Amount

  

Date of Note

  

Maturity Date

 


Schedule III

to Supplement No.      to the

Collateral Agreement

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY


Schedule IV

to Supplement No.      to the

Collateral Agreement

COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS


Exhibit II

to the Collateral Agreement

COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of [         ], 20[    ] (this “ Agreement ”), among [         ] (the “ Grantor ”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”).

Reference is made to (a) the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Lenders ”) and the Administrative Agent and (b) the Collateral Agreement dated as of [         ], 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Collateral Agreement ”), among the Co-Borrower, the other grantors from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent. The Lenders and the Issuing Banks have agreed to extend credit to the Borrowers subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. The Grantor is an Affiliate of the Borrowers and is willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and the Issuing Banks to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Terms . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Collateral Agreement or the Credit Agreement, as applicable. The rules of construction specified in Section 1.01(b) of the Collateral Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, the Grantor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “ Security Interest ”) in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under any Copyrights now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor, including those listed on Schedule I, and any exclusive Copyright Licenses under which such Grantor is a licensee, including those listed on Schedule II (collectively, the “ Copyright Collateral ”).

SECTION 3. Collateral Agreement . The Security Interest granted to the Administrative Agent herein is granted in furtherance, and not in limitation, of the security interests granted to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement. The Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent with respect to the Copyright Collateral are more fully set forth in the Collateral Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Collateral Agreement, the terms of the Collateral Agreement shall govern.

SECTION 4. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[                     ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO C OPYRIGHT S ECURITY A GREEMENT


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO C OPYRIGHT S ECURITY A GREEMENT


Schedule I


Schedule II


Exhibit III to the

Collateral Agreement

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of [    ], 20[    ] (this “ Agreement ”), among [    ] (the “ Grantor ”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”).

Reference is made to (a) the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Lenders ”) and the Administrative Agent and (b) the Collateral Agreement dated as of [             ], 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Collateral Agreement ”), among the Co-Borrower, the other grantors from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent. The Lenders and the Issuing Banks have agreed to extend credit to the Borrowers subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. The Grantor is an Affiliate of the Borrowers and is willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and the Issuing Banks to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Terms . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Collateral Agreement or the Credit Agreement, as applicable. The rules of construction specified in Section 1.01(b) of the Collateral Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, the Grantor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “ Security Interest ”) in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under any Patents now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor, including those listed on Schedule I (the “ Patent Collateral ”).

SECTION 3. Collateral Agreement . The Security Interest granted to the Administrative Agent herein is granted in furtherance, and not in limitation, of the security interests granted to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement. The Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent with respect to the Patent Collateral are more fully set forth in the Collateral Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Collateral Agreement, the terms of the Collateral Agreement shall govern.

SECTION 4. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[                                                  ],
By:                                                                                                   
  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO P ATENT SECURITY A GREEMENT


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO P ATENT SECURITY A GREEMENT


Schedule I


Exhibit IV to the

Collateral Agreement

TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of [    ], 20[    ] (this “ Agreement ”), among [    ] (the “ Grantor ”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”).

Reference is made to (a) the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Lenders ”) and the Administrative Agent and (b) the Collateral Agreement dated as of [             ], 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Collateral Agreement ”), among the Borrowers, the other grantors from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent. The Lenders and the Issuing Banks have agreed to extend credit to the Borrowers subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. The Grantor is an Affiliate of the Borrowers and is willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and the Issuing Banks to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Terms . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Collateral Agreement or the Credit Agreement, as applicable. The rules of construction specified in Section 1.01(b) of the Collateral Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, the Grantor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “ Security Interest ”) in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under any Trademarks now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor, including those listed on Schedule I (the “ Trademark Collateral ”).

SECTION 3. Collateral Agreement . The Security Interest granted to the Administrative Agent herein is granted in furtherance, and not in limitation, of the security interests granted to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement. The Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent with respect to the Trademark Collateral are more fully set forth in the Collateral Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Collateral Agreement, the terms of the Collateral Agreement shall govern.

SECTION 4. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[                                              ],
By:                                                                                                   
  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO T RADEMARK S ECURITY A GREEMENT


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO T RADEMARK S ECURITY A GREEMENT


Schedule I

 


EXHIBIT F-1

[FORM OF]

Opinion of Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett LLP

[Provided under Separate Cover]

 

 

F-1


EXHIBIT F-2

[FORM OF]

Opinion of Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados

[Provided under Separate Cover]

 

 

F-2


EXHIBIT F-3

[FORM OF]

Opinion of Walkers Global

[Provided under Separate Cover]

 

 

F-3


EXHIBIT F-4

[FORM OF]

Opinion of De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

[Provided under Separate Cover]

 

 

F-4


EXHIBIT F-5

[FORM OF]

Opinion of Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen

[Provided under Separate Cover]

 

 

F-5


EXHIBIT G

[FORM OF]

FIRST LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

Among

SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.,

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,

the other Grantors party hereto,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

as Collateral Agent for the First Lien Secured Parties and

as Authorized Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties

[             ]

as the Initial Additional Authorized Representative

and

each additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto

dated as of [     ], 20[    ]

 


FIRST LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [    ], 20[    ] (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the other Grantors (as defined below) party hereto, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as collateral agent for the First Lien Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”) and as Authorized Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), [INSERT NAME AND CAPACITY], as Authorized Representative for the Initial Additional First Lien Secured Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Initial Additional Authorized Representative ”) and each additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto for the Additional First Lien Secured Parties of the Series with respect to which it is acting in such capacity.

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Credit Agreement Secured Parties), the Initial Additional Authorized Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Initial Additional First Lien Secured Parties) and each additional Authorized Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Additional First Lien Secured Parties of the applicable Series) agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.10 Certain Defined Terms . Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement or, if defined in the New York UCC, the meanings specified therein. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

Additional First Lien Documents ” means, with respect to any Series of First Lien Obligations, the notes, indentures, security documents and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, including the Initial Additional First Lien Documents and each other agreement entered into for the purpose of securing any Series of Additional First Lien Obligations.

Additional First Lien Obligations ” means, with respect to any Series of Additional First Lien Obligations, (a) all principal of, and interest (including, without limitation, any interest which accrues after the commencement of any Bankruptcy Case, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) payable with respect to, such Additional First Lien Obligations, (b) all other amounts payable to the related Additional First Lien Secured Parties under the related Additional First Lien Documents and (c) any renewals of extensions of the foregoing.

Additional First Lien Secured Party ” means the holders of any Additional First Lien Obligations and any Authorized Representative with respect thereto and shall include the Initial Additional First Lien Secured Parties.

 

 

G-1


Administrative Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement and shall include any successors thereto as provided in Article VIII of the Credit Agreement.

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Applicable Authorized Representative ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) until the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Administrative Agent and (ii) from and after the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative.

Authorized Representative ” means (i) in the case of any Credit Agreement Obligations or the Credit Agreement Secured Parties, the Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of the Initial Additional First Lien Obligations or the Initial Additional First Lien Secured Parties, the Initial Additional Authorized Representative and (iii) in the case of any Series of Additional First Lien Obligations or Additional First Lien Secured Parties that become subject to this Agreement after the date hereof, the Authorized Representative named for such Series in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Bankruptcy Case ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

Bankruptcy Law ” means the Bankruptcy Code and any other federal, state, or foreign law for the relief of debtors, or any arrangement, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, assignment for the benefit of creditors, any other marshalling of the assets or liabilities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or similar law affecting creditors’ rights generally.

Borrower ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Borrowers ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar in the London interbank market.

Collateral ” means all assets and properties subject to Liens created pursuant to any First Lien Security Document to secure one or more Series of First Lien Obligations.

Collateral Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Controlling Secured Parties ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Series of First Lien Secured Parties whose Authorized Representative is the Applicable Authorized Representative for such Shared Collateral.

Credit Agreement ” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011, as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, refinanced or replaced from time to time, among Holdings, the Borrowers, the lenders from time to time party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto.

 

G-2


Credit Agreement Obligations ” means the “Loan Document Obligations” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

Credit Agreement Secured Parties ” means the “Secured Parties” as defined in the Security Agreement.

DIP Financing ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

DIP Financing Liens ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

DIP Lenders ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

Discharge ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral and any Series of First Lien Obligations, the date on which such Series of First Lien Obligations is no longer secured by such Shared Collateral. The term “ Discharged ” shall have a corresponding meaning.

Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Discharge of the Credit Agreement Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral; provided that the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred in connection with a Refinancing of such Credit Agreement Obligations with additional First Lien Obligations secured by such Shared Collateral under an Additional First Lien Document which has been designated in writing by the Administrative Agent (under the Credit Agreement so Refinanced) to the Collateral Agent and each other Authorized Representative as the “Credit Agreement” for purposes of this Agreement.

Event of Default ” means an “Event of Default” (or any other similarly defined term) as defined in any Secured Credit Document.

First Lien Obligations ” means, collectively, (i) the Credit Agreement Obligations and (ii) each Series of Additional First Lien Obligations.

First Lien Secured Parties ” means (a) the Credit Agreement Secured Parties and (ii) the Additional First Lien Secured Parties with respect to each Series of Additional First Lien Obligations.

First Lien Security Documents ” means the Security Agreement, the other Security Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and each other agreement entered into in favor of the Collateral Agent for the purpose of securing any Series of First Lien Obligations and, if executed and delivered, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

Grantors ” means the Parent Borrower and each other Subsidiary or direct or indirect parent company of the Parent Borrower which has granted a security interest pursuant to any First Lien Security Document to secure any Series of First Lien Obligations. The Grantors existing on the date hereof are set forth in Annex I hereto.

Impairment ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.03.

 

 

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Initial Additional Authorized Representative ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Initial Additional First Lien Documents ” means that certain [[Indenture] dated as of [    ], 20[    ], among the Parent Borrower, [the Guarantors identified therein,] [    ], as [trustee], and [    ], as [paying agent, registrar and transfer agent]] and any notes, security documents and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, including any agreement entered into for the purpose of securing the Initial Additional First Lien Obligation.

Initial Additional First Lien Obligations ” means the Additional First Lien Obligations pursuant to the Initial Additional First Lien Documents.

Initial Additional First Lien Secured Parties ” means the holders of any Initial Additional First Lien Obligations and the Initial Additional Authorized Representative.

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding ” means:

(1) any case commenced by or against the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor under any Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

(2) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

(3) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

Intervening Creditor ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(a).

Joinder Agreement ” means a supplement to this Agreement in the form of Annex II hereof required to be delivered by an Authorized Representative to the Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative pursuant to Section 5.13 hereto in order to establish an additional Series of Additional First Lien Obligations and become Additional First Lien Secured Parties hereunder.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Authorized Representative of the Series of Additional First Lien Obligations that constitutes the largest outstanding principal amount of any then outstanding Series of First Lien Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral.

 

 

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New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

Non- Controlling Authorized Representative ” means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, any Authorized Representative that is not the Applicable Authorized Representative at such time with respect to such Shared Collateral.

Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date ” means, with respect to any Non- Controlling Authorized Representative, the date which is 90 days (throughout which 90 day period such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative was the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative) after the occurrence of both (i) an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Additional First Lien Document under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) and (ii) the Collateral Agent’s and each other Authorized Representative’s receipt of written notice from such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative certifying that (x) such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative and that an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Additional First Lien Document under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) has occurred and is continuing and (y) the First Lien Obligations of the Series with respect to which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative are currently due and payable in full (whether as a result of acceleration thereof or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of the applicable Additional First Lien Document; provided that the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date shall be stayed and shall not occur and shall be deemed not to have occurred with respect to any Shared Collateral (1) at any time the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent has commenced and is diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to such Shared Collateral or (2) at any time the Grantor which has granted a security interest in such Shared Collateral is then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

Non-Controlling Secured Parties ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the First Lien Secured Parties which are not Controlling Secured Parties with respect to such Shared Collateral.

Possessory Collateral ” means any Shared Collateral in the possession of the Collateral Agent (or its agents or bailees), to the extent that possession thereof perfects a Lien thereon under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction. Possessory Collateral includes, without limitation, any Certificated Securities, Promissory Notes, Instruments, and Chattel Paper, in each case, delivered to or in the possession of the Collateral Agent under the terms of the First Lien Security Documents.

Proceeds ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01 hereof.

Refinance ” means, in respect of any indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, defease, amend, increase, modify, supplement, restructure, refund, replace or repay, or to issue other indebtedness or enter alternative financing arrangements, in exchange or replacement for such indebtedness (in whole or in part), including by adding or replacing lenders, creditors, agents, borrowers and/or guarantors, and including in each case, but not limited to, after the original instrument giving rise to such indebtedness has been terminated and including, in each case, through any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement. “ Refinanced ” and “ Refinancing ” have correlative meanings.

Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” means the “Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

 

 

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Secured Credit Document ” means (i) the Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document (as defined in the Credit Agreement), (ii) each Initial Additional First Lien Document and (iii) each Additional First Lien Document.

Security Agreement ” means the “Collateral Agreement” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

Senior Class  Debt ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

Senior Class  Debt Parties ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

Senior Class  Debt Representative ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

Senior Lien ” means the Liens on the Collateral in favor of the First Lien Secured Parties under the First Lien Security Documents.

Series ” means (a) with respect to the First Lien Secured Parties, each of (i) the Credit Agreement Secured Parties (in their capacities as such), (ii) the Initial Additional First Lien Secured Parties (in their capacity as such) and (iii) the Additional First Lien Secured Parties that become subject to this Agreement after the date hereof that are represented by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such Additional First Lien Secured Parties) and (b) with respect to any First Lien Obligations, each of (i) the Credit Agreement Obligations, (ii) the Initial Additional First Lien Obligations and (iii) the Additional First Lien Obligations incurred pursuant to any Additional First Lien Document, which pursuant to any Joinder Agreement, are to be represented hereunder by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such Additional First Lien Obligations).

Shared Collateral ” means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders of two or more Series of First Lien Obligations (or their respective Authorized Representatives) hold a valid and perfected security interest at such time. If more than two Series of First Lien Obligations are outstanding at any time and the holders of less than all Series of First Lien Obligations hold a valid and perfected security interest in any Collateral at such time, then such Collateral shall constitute Shared Collateral for those Series of First Lien Obligations that hold a valid security interest in such Collateral at such time and shall not constitute Shared Collateral for any Series which does not have a valid and perfected security interest in such Collateral at such time.

Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” means the New York UCC, or the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or comparable legislation) of another jurisdiction, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.

SECTION 1.02 Terms Generally . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, but shall not be deemed to include the subsidiaries of such Person unless express reference is made to such subsidiaries, (iii) the

 

 

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words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections and Annexes of this Agreement, (v) unless otherwise expressly qualified herein, the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights and (vi) the term “or” is not exclusive.

SECTION 1.03 Impairments . It is the intention of the First Lien Secured Parties of each Series that the holders of First Lien Obligations of such Series (and not the First Lien Secured Parties of any other Series) bear the risk of (i) any determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that (x) any of the First Lien Obligations of such Series are unenforceable under applicable law or are subordinated to any other obligations (other than another Series of First Lien Obligations), (y) any of the First Lien Obligations of such Series do not have an enforceable security interest in any of the Collateral securing any other Series of First Lien Obligations and/or (z) any intervening security interest exists securing any other obligations (other than another Series of First Lien Obligations) on a basis ranking prior to the security interest of such Series of First Lien Obligations but junior to the security interest of any other Series of First Lien Obligations or (ii) the existence of any Collateral for any other Series of First Lien Obligations that is not Shared Collateral (any such condition referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) with respect to any Series of First Lien Obligations, an “ Impairment ” of such Series); provided that the existence of a maximum claim with respect to Mortgaged Properties (as defined in the Credit Agreement) which applies to all First Lien Obligations shall not be deemed to be an Impairment of any Series of First Lien Obligations. In the event of any Impairment with respect to any Series of First Lien Obligations, the results of such Impairment shall be borne solely by the holders of such Series of First Lien Obligations, and the rights of the holders of such Series of First Lien Obligations (including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions in respect of such Series of First Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 2.01) set forth herein shall be modified to the extent necessary so that the effects of such Impairment are borne solely by the holders of the Series of such First Lien Obligations subject to such Impairment. Additionally, in the event the First Lien Obligations of any Series are modified pursuant to applicable law (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code), any reference to such First Lien Obligations or the First Lien Documents governing such First Lien Obligations shall refer to such obligations or such documents as so modified.

ARTICLE II

Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Shared Collateral

SECTION 2.01 Priority of Claims .

(a) Anything contained herein or in any of the Secured Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding (but subject to Section 1.03), if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Collateral Agent or any First Lien Secured Party is taking action to enforce rights in respect of any Shared Collateral, or any distribution is made in respect of any Shared Collateral in any Bankruptcy Case of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or any First Lien Secured Party receives any payment pursuant to any intercreditor agreement (other than this Agreement) with respect to any Shared Collateral, the proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any such Collateral by any First Lien Secured Party or received by the Collateral Agent or any First Lien Secured Party pursuant to any such intercreditor agreement with respect to such Shared Collateral and proceeds of any such distribution (subject, in the case of any such distribution, to the sentence immediately following) to which the First Lien Obligations are entitled under any intercreditor agreement (other than this Agreement) (all proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any Collateral and all proceeds of any such distribution being collectively referred to as “ Proceeds ”), shall be applied (i) FIRST, to the payment of all

 

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amounts owing to the Collateral Agent (in its capacity as such) pursuant to the terms of any Secured Credit Document, (ii) SECOND, subject to Section 1.03, to the payment in full of the First Lien Obligations of each Series on a ratable basis, with such Proceeds to be applied to the First Lien Obligations of a given Series in accordance with the terms of the applicable Secured Credit Documents and (iii) THIRD, after payment of all First Lien Obligations, to the Parent Borrower and the other Grantors or their successors or assigns, as their interests may appear, or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same pursuant to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement or otherwise, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Shared Collateral for which a third party (other than a First Lien Secured Party) has a lien or security interest that is junior in priority to the security interest of any Series of First Lien Obligations, after giving effect to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, if applicable, but senior (as determined by appropriate legal proceedings in the case of any dispute) to the security interest of any other Series of First Lien Obligations (such third party an “ Intervening Creditor ”), the value of any Shared Collateral or Proceeds which are allocated to such Intervening Creditor shall be deducted on a ratable basis solely from the Shared Collateral or Proceeds to be distributed in respect of the Series of First Lien Obligations with respect to which such Impairment exists.

(b) It is acknowledged that the First Lien Obligations of any Series may, subject to the limitations set forth in the then extant Secured Credit Documents, be increased, extended, renewed, replaced, restated, supplemented, restructured, repaid, refunded, Refinanced or otherwise amended or modified from time to time, all without affecting the priorities set forth in Section 2.01(a) or the provisions of this Agreement defining the relative rights of the First Lien Secured Parties of any Series.

(c) Notwithstanding the date, time, method, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens securing any Series of First Lien Obligations granted on the Shared Collateral and notwithstanding any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, or any other applicable law or the Secured Credit Documents or any defect or deficiencies in the Liens securing the First Lien Obligations of any Series or any other circumstance whatsoever (but, in each case, subject to Section 1.03, each First Lien Secured Party hereby agrees that the Liens securing each Series of First Lien Obligations on any Shared Collateral shall be of equal priority.

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other First Lien Security Documents to the contrary, Collateral consisting of cash and cash equivalents pledged to secure Credit Agreement Obligations consisting of reimbursement obligations in respect of Letters of Credit or otherwise held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 2.05(i), 2.11(b) or 2.22(c) of the Credit Agreement (or any equivalent successor provision) shall be applied as specified in such Section of the Credit Agreement and will not constitute Shared Collateral.

SECTION 2.02 Actions with Respect to Shared Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens .

(a) With respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) only the Collateral Agent shall act or refrain from acting with respect to the Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), and then only on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative, (ii) the Collateral Agent shall not follow any instructions with respect to such Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral) from any Non-Controlling Authorized Representative (or any other First Lien Secured Party other than the Applicable Authorized Representative) and (iii) no Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or other First Lien Secured Party (other than the Applicable Authorized Representative) shall or shall instruct the Collateral Agent to, commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or

 

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over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its security interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), whether under any First Lien Security Document, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that only the Collateral Agent, acting on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative and in accordance with the applicable First Lien Security Documents, shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies with respect to Shared Collateral. Notwithstanding the equal priority of the Liens, the Collateral Agent (acting on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative) may deal with the Shared Collateral as if such Applicable Authorized Representative had a senior Lien on such Collateral. No Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or Non-Controlling Secured Party will contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by the Collateral Agent, Applicable Authorized Representative or Controlling Secured Party or any other exercise by the Collateral Agent, Applicable Authorized Representative or Controlling Secured Party of any rights and remedies relating to the Shared Collateral, or to cause the Collateral Agent to do so. The foregoing shall not be construed to limit the rights and priorities of any First Lien Secured Party, Collateral Agent or Authorized Representative with respect to any Collateral not constituting Shared Collateral.

(b) Each of the Authorized Representatives agrees that it will not accept any Lien on any collateral for the benefit of any Series of First Lien Obligations (other than funds deposited for the discharge or defeasance of any Additional First Lien Document) other than pursuant to the First Lien Security Documents and pursuant to Section 2.05(i), 2.11(b) or 2.22(c) of the Credit Agreement, and by executing this Agreement (or a Joinder Agreement), each Authorized Representative and the Series of First Lien Secured Parties for which it is acting hereunder agree to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and the other First Lien Security Documents applicable to it.

(c) Each of the First Lien Secured Parties agrees that it will not (and hereby waives any right to) question or contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the perfection, priority, validity, attachment or enforceability of a Lien held by or on behalf of any of the First Lien Secured Parties in all or any part of the Collateral, or the provisions of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any of the Collateral Agent or any Authorized Representative to enforce this Agreement.

SECTION 2.03 No Interference; Payment Over .

(a) Each First Lien Secured Party agrees that (i) it will not challenge or question in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of any First Lien Obligations of any Series or any First Lien Security Document or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien under any First Lien Security Document or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by or other provisions of this Agreement; (ii) it will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or intent of which is, or could be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Shared Collateral by the Collateral Agent, (iii) except as provided in Section 2.02, it shall have no right to (A) direct the Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement) or (B) consent to the exercise by the Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral, (iv) it will not institute any suit or assert in any suit, bankruptcy, insolvency or other proceeding any claim against the Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to any Shared Collateral, and none of the Collateral Agent, any Applicable Authorized Representative or any other First

 

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Lien Secured Party shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Collateral Agent, such Applicable Authorized Representative or other First Lien Secured Party with respect to any Shared Collateral in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (v) it will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Shared Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Collateral and (vi) it will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any of the Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party to enforce this Agreement.

(b) Each First Lien Secured Party hereby agrees that if it shall obtain possession of any Shared Collateral or shall realize any proceeds or payment in respect of any such Shared Collateral, pursuant to any First Lien Security Document or by the exercise of any rights available to it under applicable law or in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or through any other exercise of remedies (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement), at any time prior to the Discharge of each of the First Lien Obligations, then it shall hold such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payment in trust for the other First Lien Secured Parties and promptly transfer such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payment, as the case may be, to the Collateral Agent, to be distributed in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.01 hereof.

SECTION 2.04 Automatic Release of Liens; Amendments to First Lien Security Documents .

(a) If, at any time the Collateral Agent forecloses upon or otherwise exercises remedies against any Shared Collateral resulting in a sale or disposition thereof, then (whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding is pending at the time) the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of each Series of First Lien Secured Parties upon such Shared Collateral will automatically be released and discharged; provided that any proceeds of any Shared Collateral realized therefrom shall be applied pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.

(b) Each First Lien Secured Party agrees that the Collateral Agent may enter into any amendment (and, upon request by the Collateral Agent, each Authorized Representative shall sign a consent to such amendment) to any First Lien Security Document, so long as the Collateral Agent receives a certificate of the Parent Borrower stating that such amendment is permitted by the terms of each then extant Secured Credit Document. Additionally, each First Lien Secured Party agrees that the Collateral Agent may enter into any amendment (and, upon request by the Collateral Agent, each Authorized Representative shall sign a consent to such amendment) to any First Lien Security Document solely as such First Lien Security Document relates to a particular Series of First Lien Obligations so long as (x) such amendment is in accordance with the Secured Credit Document pursuant to which such Series of First Lien Obligations was incurred and (y) such amendment does not adversely affect the First Lien Secured Parties of any other Series.

(c) Each Authorized Representative agrees to execute and deliver (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) all such authorizations and other instruments as shall reasonably be requested by the Collateral Agent to evidence and confirm any release of Shared Collateral or amendment to any First Lien Security Document provided for in this Section.

SECTION 2.05. Certain Agreements with Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings .

(a) This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the commencement of any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law by or against the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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(b) If the Parent Borrower and/or any other Grantor shall become subject to a case (a “ Bankruptcy Case ”) under the Bankruptcy Code and shall, as debtor(s)-in-possession, move for approval of financing (“ DIP Financing ”) to be provided by one or more lenders (the “ DIP Lenders ”) under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, each First Lien Secured Party agrees that it will raise no objection to any such financing or to the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the same (“ DIP Financing Liens ”) or to any use of cash collateral that constitutes Shared Collateral, unless any Controlling Secured Party, or an Authorized Representative of any Controlling Secured Party, shall then oppose or object to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens or use of cash collateral (and (i) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens are senior to the Liens on any such Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will subordinate its Liens with respect to such Shared Collateral on the same terms as the Liens of the Controlling Secured Parties (other than any Liens of any First Lien Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) are subordinated thereto, and (ii) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens rank pari passu with the Liens on any such Shared Collateral granted to secure the First Lien Obligations of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will confirm the priorities with respect to such Shared Collateral as set forth herein), in each case so long as (A) the First Lien Secured Parties of each Series retain the benefit of their Liens on all such Shared Collateral pledged to the DIP Lenders, including proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of such proceeding, with the same priority vis-a-vis all the other First Lien Secured Parties (other than any Liens of the First Lien Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) as existed prior to the commencement of the Bankruptcy Case, (B) the First Lien Secured Parties of each Series are granted Liens on any additional collateral pledged to any First Lien Secured Parties as adequate protection or otherwise in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, with the same priority vis-a-vis the First Lien Secured Parties as set forth in this Agreement, (C) if any amount of such DIP Financing or cash collateral is applied to repay any of the First Lien Obligations, such amount is applied pursuant to Section 2.01 of this Agreement, and (D) if any First Lien Secured Parties are granted adequate protection, including in the form of periodic payments, in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, the proceeds of such adequate protection are applied pursuant to Section 2.01 of this Agreement; provided that the First Lien Secured Parties of each Series shall have a right to object to the grant of a Lien to secure the DIP Financing over any Collateral subject to Liens in favor of the First Lien Secured Parties of such Series or its Authorized Representative that shall not constitute Shared Collateral; and provided , further , that the First Lien Secured Parties receiving adequate protection shall not object to any other First Lien Secured Party receiving adequate protection comparable to any adequate protection granted to such First Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing or use of cash collateral.

SECTION 2.06. Reinstatement . In the event that any of the First Lien Obligations shall be paid in full and such payment or any part thereof shall subsequently, for whatever reason (including an order or judgment for disgorgement of a preference under the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar law, or the settlement of any claim in respect thereof), be required to be returned or repaid, the terms and conditions of this Article II shall be fully applicable thereto until all such First Lien Obligations shall again have been paid in full in cash.

SECTION 2.07. Insurance . As between the First Lien Secured Parties, the Collateral Agent, acting at the direction of the Applicable Authorized Representative, shall have the right to adjust or settle any insurance policy or claim covering or constituting Shared Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the Shared Collateral.

 

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SECTION 2.08. Refinancings . The First Lien Obligations of any Series may be Refinanced, in whole or in part, in each case, without notice to, or the consent (except to the extent a consent is otherwise required to permit the Refinancing transaction under any Secured Credit Document) of any First Lien Secured Party of any other Series, all without affecting the priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided that the Authorized Representative of the holders of any such Refinancing indebtedness shall have executed a Joinder Agreement on behalf of the holders of such Refinancing indebtedness.

SECTION 2.09. Possessory Collateral Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection .

(a) The Collateral Agent agrees to hold any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral that is part of the Collateral in its possession or control (or in the possession or control of its agents or bailees) as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other First Lien Secured Party and any assignee solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable First Lien Security Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.09. Pending delivery to the Collateral Agent, each other Authorized Representative agrees to hold any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral, from time to time in its possession, as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other First Lien Secured Party and any assignee, solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable First Lien Security Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.09.

(b) The duties or responsibilities of the Collateral Agent and each other Authorized Representative under this Section 2.09 shall be limited solely to holding any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other First Lien Secured Party for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such First Lien Secured Parties therein.

ARTICLE III

Existence and Amounts of Liens and Obligations

SECTION 3.01. Determinations with Respect to Amounts of Liens and Obligations . Whenever the Collateral Agent or any Authorized Representative shall be required, in connection with the exercise of its rights or the performance of its obligations hereunder, to determine the existence or amount of any First Lien Obligations of any Series, or the Shared Collateral subject to any Lien securing the First Lien Obligations of any Series, it may request that such information be furnished to it in writing by each other Authorized Representative and shall be entitled to make such determination on the basis of the information so furnished; provided , however , that if an Authorized Representative shall fail or refuse reasonably promptly to provide the requested information, the requesting Collateral Agent or Authorized Representative shall be entitled to make any such determination by such method as it may, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, determine, including by reliance upon a certificate of the Parent Borrower. The Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative may rely conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any determination made by it in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence (or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to any Grantor, any First Lien Secured Party or any other person as a result of such determination.

 

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ARTICLE IV

The Collateral Agent

SECTION 4.01. Appointment and Authority .

(a) Each of the First Lien Secured Parties hereby irrevocably appoints JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to act on its behalf as the Collateral Agent hereunder and under each of the other First Lien Security Documents and authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, including for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any Grantor to secure any of the First Lien Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each of the First Lien Secured Parties also authorizes JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., at the request of the Parent Borrower, to execute and deliver the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement in the capacity as “Senior Collateral Agent,” or the equivalent agent, however referred to for the First Lien Secured Parties under such agreement (the “ Senior Collateral Agent ”) and authorizes the Collateral Agent, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to, or otherwise given to, the Senior Collateral Agent by the terms of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Collateral Agent and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 4.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under any of the First Lien Security Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder or under the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement at the direction of the Applicable Authorized Representative, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IV and Article VIII of the Credit Agreement and the equivalent provision of any Additional First Lien Document (as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “Collateral Agent” named therein) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

(b) Each Non-Controlling Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled, for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties, to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or deal with any Shared Collateral as provided herein and in the First Lien Security Documents, without regard to any rights to which the holders of the Non-Controlling Secured Obligations would otherwise be entitled as a result of such Non-Controlling Secured Obligations. Without limiting the foregoing, each Non-Controlling Secured Party agrees that none of the Collateral Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other First Lien Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon any type of Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any of the First Lien Obligations), or to sell, dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any First Lien Obligations), in any manner that would maximize the return to the Non-Controlling Secured Parties, notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of proceeds actually received by the Non- Controlling Secured Parties from such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation. Each of the First Lien Secured Parties waives any claim it may now or hereafter have against the Collateral Agent or the Authorized Representative of any other Series of First Lien Obligations or any other First Lien Secured Party of any other Series arising out of (i) any actions which the Collateral Agent, any Authorized Representative or any First Lien Secured Party takes or omits to take (including, actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the First Lien Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with the First Lien Security Documents or any other agreement related thereto or to the collection of the First Lien Obligations or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the First Lien Obligations, (ii) any election by any Applicable Authorized

 

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Representative or any holders of First Lien Obligations, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or (iii) subject to Section 2.05, any borrowing by, or grant of a security interest or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law by, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as debtor-in- possession. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall not accept any Shared Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of any First Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 9-620 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, without the consent of each Authorized Representative representing holders of First Lien Obligations for whom such Collateral constitutes Shared Collateral.

(c) Each Authorized Representative acknowledges and agrees that upon execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Annex II by an additional Senior Class Debt Representative, the Collateral Agent and each Grantor in accordance with Section 5.13, the Collateral Agent will continue to act in its capacity as Collateral Agent in respect of the then existing Authorized Representatives and such additional Authorized Representative.

SECTION 4.02. Rights as a First Lien Secured Party .

(a) The Person serving as the Collateral Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a First Lien Secured Party under any Series of First Lien Obligations that it holds as any other First Lien Secured Party of such Series and may exercise the same as though it were not the Collateral Agent and the term “First Lien Secured Party” or “First Lien Secured Parties” or (as applicable) “Credit Agreement Secured Party”, “Credit Agreement Secured Parties,” “Additional First Lien Secured Party” or “Additional First Lien Secured Parties” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Collateral Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Collateral Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to any other First Lien Secured Party.

SECTION 4.03. Exculpatory Provisions . The Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other First Lien Security Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Collateral Agent:

(i) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(ii) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other First Lien Security Documents that the Collateral Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Applicable Authorized Representative; provided that the Collateral Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Collateral Agent to liability or that is contrary to any First Lien Security Document or applicable law;

(iii) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other First Lien Security Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Parent Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity;

 

 

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(iv) shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Applicable Authorized Representative or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct or (iii) in reliance on a certificate of an authorized officer of the Parent Borrower stating that such action is permitted by the terms of this Agreement. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Event of Default under any Series of First Lien Obligations unless and until notice describing such Event Default is given to the Collateral Agent by the Authorized Representative of such First Lien Obligations or the Parent Borrower; and

(v) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other First Lien Security Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other First Lien Security Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the First Lien Security Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral for any Series of First Lien Obligations, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in any Secured Credit Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Collateral Agent.

SECTION 4.04. Reliance by Collateral Agent . The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Collateral Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Collateral Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Parent Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

SECTION 4.05. Delegation of Duties . The Collateral Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other First Lien Security Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Affiliates. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Affiliates of the Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent.

SECTION 4.06. Resignation of Collateral Agent . The Collateral Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation as Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the other First Lien Security Documents (including, if applicable, as Senior Collateral Agent under the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) to each Authorized Representative and the Parent Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Applicable Authorized Representative shall have the right, in consultation with the Parent Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Applicable Authorized Representative and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Collateral Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Collateral Agent may, on behalf of the First Lien Secured Parties, appoint a successor Collateral Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Collateral Agent shall notify the Parent Borrower and

 

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each Authorized Representative that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other First Lien Security Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Collateral Agent on behalf of the First Lien Secured Parties under any of the First Lien Security Documents, the retiring Collateral Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security solely for purposes of maintaining the perfection of the security interests of the First Lien Secured Parties therein until such time as a successor Collateral Agent is appointed but with no obligation to take any further action at the request of the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other First Lien Secured Parties) and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Collateral Agent shall instead be made by or to each Authorized Representative directly, until such time as the Applicable Authorized Representative appoints a successor Collateral Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Collateral Agent hereunder and under the First Lien Security Documents (including, if applicable, acting as Senior Collateral Agent under the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement), such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Collateral Agent, and the retiring Collateral Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other First Lien Security Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). After the retiring Collateral Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Article VIII of the Credit Agreement and the equivalent provision of any Additional First Lien Document shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Collateral Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Collateral Agent was acting as Collateral Agent. Upon any notice of resignation of the Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other First Lien Security Documents, the Parent Borrower agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to transfer (and maintain the validity and priority of) the Liens in favor of the retiring Collateral Agent under the First Lien Security Documents to the successor Collateral Agent.

SECTION 4.07. Non-Reliance on Collateral Agent and Other First Lien Secured Parties . Each First Lien Secured Party acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Collateral Agent, any Authorized Representative or any other First Lien Secured Party or any of their Affiliates and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Secured Credit Documents. Each First Lien Secured Party also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Collateral Agent, any Authorized Representative or any other First Lien Secured Party or any of their Affiliates and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Secured Credit Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

SECTION 4.08. Collateral and Guaranty Matters . Each of the First Lien Secured Parties irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent, at its option and in its discretion:

(i) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Collateral Agent under any First Lien Security Document in accordance with Section 2.04 or upon receipt of a written request from the Parent Borrower stating that the releases of such Lien is permitted by the terms of each then extant Secured Credit Document;

(ii) to release any Grantor from its obligations under the First Lien Security Documents upon receipt of a written request from the Parent Borrower stating that such release is permitted by the terms of each then extant Secured Credit Document.

 

 

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ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous

SECTION 5.01. Notices . All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

(a) if to the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent, to it at [JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 1111 Fannin, 10th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention of [●] (Fax No.: [●]) (email: [●]), with a copy];

(b) if to the Initial Additional Authorized Representative, to it at [    ];

(c) if to any other Additional Authorized Representative, to it at the address set forth in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt (if a Business Day) and on the next Business Day thereafter (in all other cases) if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by telecopy or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 5.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 5.01. As agreed to in writing among the Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable person provided from time to time by such person.

SECTION 5.02. Waivers; Amendment; Joinder Agreements .

(a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be terminated, waived, amended or modified (other than pursuant to any Joinder Agreement) except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each Authorized Representative and the Collateral Agent (and with respect to any such termination, waiver, amendment or modification which by the terms of this Agreement requires the Parent Borrower’s consent or which increases the obligations or reduces the rights of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, with the consent of the Parent Borrower).

 

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(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any First Lien Secured Party, any Authorized Representative may become a party hereto by execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement in accordance with Section 5.13 of this Agreement and upon such execution and delivery, such Authorized Representative and the Additional First Lien Secured Parties and Additional First Lien Obligations of the Series for which such Authorized Representative is acting shall be subject to the terms hereof and the terms of the other First Lien Security Documents applicable thereto.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any other Authorized Representative or First Lien Secured Party, the Collateral Agent may effect amendments and modifications to this Agreement to the extent necessary to reflect any incurrence of any Additional First Lien Obligations in compliance with the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5.03. Parties in Interest . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other First Lien Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Agreement.

SECTION 5.04. Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

SECTION 5.05. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 5.06 Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good- faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 5.07. Governing Law; Jurisdiction . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

SECTION 5.08. Submission to Jurisdiction Waivers; Consent to Service of Process . The Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and the First Lien Secured Parties of the Series for whom it is acting, irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the First Lien Security Documents, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient forum and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

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(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Person (or its Authorized Representative) at the address referred to in 5.01;

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right of any other party hereto (or any First Lien Secured Party) to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of any party hereto (or any First Lien Secured Party) to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 5.08 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

SECTION 5.09. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

SECTION 5.10. Headings . Article, Section and Annex headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 5.11. Conflicts . In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any of the other First Lien Security Documents or Additional First Lien Documents the provisions of this Agreement shall control.

SECTION 5.12. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights . The provisions of this Agreement are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the First Lien Secured Parties in relation to one another. None of the Parent Borrower, any other Grantor or any other creditor thereof shall have any rights or obligations hereunder, except as expressly provided in this Agreement ( provided that nothing in this Agreement (other than Section 2.04, 2.05, 2.08, 2.09 or Article V) is intended to or will amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of the Credit Agreement or any Additional First Lien Documents), and none of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor may rely on the terms hereof (other than Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.08, 2.09 and Article V). Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of any Grantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the First Lien Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms.

SECTION 5.13. Additional Senior Debt . To the extent, but only to the extent permitted by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and the Additional First Lien Documents, the Parent Borrower may incur Additional First Lien Obligations. Any such additional class or series of Additional First Lien Obligations (the “ Senior Class  Debt ”) may be secured by a Lien and may be Guaranteed by the Grantors on a senior basis, in each case under and pursuant to the First Lien Documents, if and subject to the condition that the Authorized Representative of any such Senior Class Debt (each, a “ Senior Class  Debt Representative ”), acting on behalf of the holders of such Senior Class Debt (such Authorized Representative and holders in respect of any Senior Class Debt being referred to as the “ Senior Class  Debt Parties ”), becomes a party to this Agreement by satisfying the conditions set forth in clauses (i)  through (v) of the immediately succeeding paragraph.

 

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In order for a Senior Class Debt Representative to become a party to this Agreement,

(i) such Senior Class Debt Representative, the Collateral Agent and each Grantor shall have executed and delivered an instrument substantially in the form of Annex II (with such changes as may be reasonably approved by the Collateral Agent and such Senior Class Representative) pursuant to which such Senior Class Debt Representative becomes an Authorized Representative hereunder, and the Senior Class Debt in respect of which such Senior Class Debt Representative is the Representative and the related Senior Class Debt Parties become subject hereto and bound hereby;

(ii) the Parent Borrower shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent true and complete copies of each of the Additional First Lien Documents relating to such Senior Class Debt, certified as being true and correct by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower;

(iii) all filings, recordations and/or amendments or supplements to the First Lien Security Documents necessary or desirable in the reasonable judgment of the Collateral Agent to confirm and perfect the Liens securing the relevant obligations relating to such Senior Class Debt shall have been made, executed and/or delivered (or, with respect to any such filings or recordations, acceptable provisions to perform such filings or recordings have been taken in the reasonable judgment of the Collateral Agent), and all fees and taxes in connection therewith shall have been paid (or acceptable provisions to make such payments have been taken in the reasonable judgment of the Collateral Agent); and

(iv) the Additional First Lien Documents, as applicable, relating to such Senior Class Debt shall provide, in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, that each Senior Class Debt Party with respect to such Senior Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of this Agreement in its capacity as a holder of such Senior Class Debt.

SECTION 5.14 Integration . This Agreement together with the other Secured Credit Documents and the First Lien Security Documents represents the agreement of each of the Grantors and the First Lien Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Grantor, the Collateral Agent, any or any other First Lien Secured Party relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Secured Credit Documents or the First Lien Security Documents.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. ,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent,

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by

SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory

Holdings), Inc.,

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE GRANTORS LISTED ON ANNEX I
HERETO,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[F IRST -L IEN I NTERCREDITOR A GREEMENT S IGNATURE P AGE ]


[         ],
as Initial Additional Authorized Representative
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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ANNEX I

Grantors

[         ]


ANNEX II

[FORM OF] REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT NO. [ ] dated as of [        ], 20[    ] to the FIRST LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [        ], 20[    ] (the “ First Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Parent Borrower (each, a “ Grantor ”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent for the First Lien Secured Parties under the First Lien Security Documents (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”) and as Authorized Representative under the Credit Agreement, [        ], as Initial Additional Authorized Representative, and the additional Authorized Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

A. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

B. As a condition to the ability of the Parent Borrower to incur Additional First Lien Obligations and to secure such Senior Class Debt with the Senior Lien and to have such Senior Class Debt guaranteed by the Grantors on a senior basis, in each case under and pursuant to the First Lien Security Documents, the Senior Class Debt Representative in respect of such Senior Class Debt is required to become an Authorized Representative under, and such Senior Class Debt and the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect thereof are required to become subject to and bound by, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 5.13 of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Senior Class Debt Representative may become an Authorized Representative under, and such Senior Class Debt and such Senior Class Debt Parties may become subject to and bound by, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, upon the execution and delivery by the Senior Class Representative of an instrument in the form of this Supplement and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Section 5.13 of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The undersigned Senior Class Debt Representative (the “ New Representative ”) is executing this Representative Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien Security Documents.

Accordingly, the Collateral Agent and the New Representative agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 5.13 of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the New Representative by its signature below becomes an Authorized Representative under, and the related Senior Class Debt and Senior Class Debt Parties become subject to and bound by, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Representative had originally been named therein as an Authorized Representative, and the New Representative, on behalf of itself and such Senior Class Debt Parties, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as an Authorized Representative and to the Senior Class Debt Parties that it represents as Additional First Lien Secured Parties. Each reference to an “ Authorized Representative ” in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Representative. The First Lien Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.


SECTION 2. The New Representative represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent and the other First Lien Secured Parties that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this Representative Supplement, in its capacity as [agent] [trustee], (ii) this Representative Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of such Agreement and (iii) the Additional First Lien Documents relating to such Senior Class Debt provide that, upon the New Representative’s entry into this Agreement, the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect of such Senior Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement as Additional First Lien Secured Parties.

SECTION 3. This Representative Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Representative Supplement shall become effective when the Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Representative Supplement that bears the signature of the New Representative. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Representative Supplement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Representative Supplement.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Representative Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Representative shall be given to it at the address set forth below its signature hereto.

SECTION 8. The Parent Borrower agrees to reimburse the Collateral Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Representative Supplement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Collateral Agent.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Representative and the Collateral Agent have duly executed this Representative Supplement to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW REPRESENTATIVE], as
[             ] for the holders of
[                                 ],
By:                                                                                                   
  Name:
  Title:


Address for notices:

 

 

 

 

 

attention of:

 

 

 

Telecopy:

 

 


Acknowledged by:

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Collateral Agent,

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE GRANTORS
LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Schedule I to the

Supplement to the

First Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Grantors

[         ]


EXHIBIT H

[FORM OF]

SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

Among

SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.,

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,

the other Grantors party hereto,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

as Collateral Agent for the First Lien Secured Parties and

as Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties

[         ]

as the Initial Second Priority Representative

and

each additional Representative from time to time party hereto

dated as of [     ], 20[     ]


SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [        ], 20[    ] (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation, (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the other Grantors (as defined below) party hereto, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as collateral agent for the Senior Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity, the “ Senior Collateral Agent ”) and as Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), [INSERT NAME AND CAPACITY], as Representative for the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Initial Second Priority Representative ”) and each additional Second Priority Representative and Senior Representative that from time to time becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 8.09.

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Senior Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Credit Agreement Secured Parties), the Initial Second Priority Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties) and each additional Senior Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Additional Senior Debt Parties under the applicable Additional Senior Debt Facility) and each additional Second Priority Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties under the applicable Second Priority Debt Facility) agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.10 Certain Defined Terms . Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement or, if defined in the New York UCC, the meanings specified therein. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

Additional Senior Debt ” means any Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower (other than Indebtedness constituting Credit Agreement Obligations) Guaranteed by the Guarantors (and not Guaranteed by any other Subsidiary) which Indebtedness and Guarantees are secured by the Senior Collateral (or a portion thereof) on a pari passu basis (but without regard to control of remedies) with the Credit Agreement Obligations (and not secured by Liens on any other assets of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary); provided , however , that, (i) such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred, secured and Guaranteed on such basis by each Senior Debt Document and Second Priority Debt Document and (ii) the Representative for the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to (A) this Agreement pursuant to, and by satisfying the conditions set forth in, Section 8.09 hereof and (B) the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement pursuant to, and by satisfying the conditions set forth in, Section 5.13 thereof, provided further that, if such Indebtedness will be the initial Additional Senior Debt incurred by the Parent Borrower after the date hereof, then the Guarantors, the Senior Collateral Agent and the Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Additional Senior Debt shall include any Registered Equivalent Notes and Guarantees thereof by the Guarantors issued in exchange therefor.

 

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Additional Senior Debt Documents ” means, with respect to any series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt, the promissory notes, indentures, Collateral Documents or other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, including the Senior Collateral Documents.

Additional Senior Debt Facility ” means each indenture or other governing agreement with respect to any Additional Senior Debt.

Additional Senior Debt Obligations ” means, with respect to any series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt, (a) all principal of, and interest (including, without limitation, any interest which accrues after the commencement of any Bankruptcy Case, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) payable with respect to, such Additional Senior Debt, (b) all other amounts payable to the related Additional Senior Debt Parties under the related Additional Senior Debt Documents and (c) any renewals or extensions of the foregoing.

Additional Senior Debt Parties ” means, with respect to any series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt, the holders of such Indebtedness, the Representative with respect thereto, any trustee or agent therefor under any related Additional Senior Debt Documents and the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by the Parent Borrower or any Guarantor under any related Additional Senior Debt Documents.

Administrative Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement and shall include any successors thereto as provided in Article VIII of the Credit Agreement.

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Bankruptcy Case ” means a case under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law.

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

Bankruptcy Law ” means the Bankruptcy Code and any other federal, state, or foreign law for the relief of debtors, or any arrangement, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, assignment for the benefit of creditors, any other marshalling of the assets or liabilities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or similar law affecting creditors’ rights generally.

Borrower ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Borrowers ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar or Sterling deposits in the London interbank market.

“Class  Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

“Class  Debt Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

“Class  Debt Representatives” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

 

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Collateral ” means the Senior Collateral and the Second Priority Collateral.

Collateral Documents ” means the Senior Collateral Documents and the Second Priority Collateral Documents.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

Credit Agreement ” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011, as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, refinanced or replaced from time to time, among Holdings, the Borrowers, the lenders from time to time party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto.

Credit Agreement Loan Documents ” means the Credit Agreement and the other “Loan Documents” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

Credit Agreement Obligations ” means the “Secured Obligations” as defined in the Security Agreement.

Credit Agreement Secured Parties ” means the “Secured Parties” as defined in the Security Agreement.

Debt Facility ” means any Senior Facility and any Second Priority Debt Facility.

Designated Second Priority Representative ” means (i) the Initial Second Priority Representative, until such time as the Second Priority Debt Facility under the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents ceases to be the only Second Priority Debt Facility under this Agreement and (ii) thereafter, the Second Priority Representative designated from time to time by the Second Priority Instructing Group, in a notice to the Senior Collateral Agent and the Parent Borrower hereunder, as the “Designated Second Priority Representative” for purposes hereof.

DIP Financing ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01.

Discharge ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral and any Debt Facility, the date on which such Debt Facility and the Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations thereunder, as the case may be, are no longer secured by such Shared Collateral. The term “ Discharged ” shall have a corresponding meaning.

Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Discharge of the Credit Agreement Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral; provided that the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred in connection with a Refinancing of such Credit Agreement Obligations with an Additional Senior Debt Facility secured by such Shared Collateral under one or more Additional Senior Debt Documents which has been designated in writing by the Administrative Agent (under the Credit Agreement so Refinanced) to the Collateral Agent and each other Representative as the “Credit Agreement” for purposes of this Agreement.

Discharge of Senior Obligations ” means the date on which the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and the Discharge of each Additional Senior Debt Facility has occurred.

 

H-3


First Lien Intercreditor Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the Credit Agreement.

Grantors ” means the Parent Borrower and each Subsidiary or direct or indirect parent company of the Parent Borrower which has granted a security interest pursuant to any Collateral Document to secure any Secured Obligations.

Guarantors ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Guarantee Agreement.

Initial Second Priority Debt ” means the Second Priority Debt incurred pursuant to the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents.

Initial Second Priority Debt Documents ” means that certain [[Indenture] dated as of [    ], 20[    ], among the Parent Borrower, [the Guarantors identified therein,] [        ], as [trustee], and [        ], as [paying agent, registrar and transfer agent]] and any notes, security documents and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, including any agreement entered into for the purpose of securing the Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations.

Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations ” means the Second Priority Debt Obligations arising pursuant to the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents.

Initial Second Priority Debt Parties ” means the holders of any Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations and the Initial Second Priority Representative.

Initial Second Priority Representative ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding ” means:

(1) any case commenced by or against the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor under any Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

(2) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

(3) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

“Intellectual Property” means “Intellectual Property” as defined in the Security Agreement.

Joinder Agreement ” means a supplement to this Agreement in the form of Annex III or Annex IV hereof required to be delivered by a Representative to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 8.09 hereof in order to include an additional Debt Facility hereunder and to become the Representative hereunder for the Senior Secured Parties or Second Priority Secured Parties, as the case may be, under such Debt Facility.

 

H-4


Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

Loan Document Obligations ” means “Loan Document Obligations” as defined in the Security Agreement.

Major Additional Senior Representative ” means, at any time, the Senior Representative of the Additional Senior Debt Facility having the largest outstanding principal amount of Additional Senior Debt Obligations of any Additional Senior Debt Facility then outstanding

Majority Credit Agreement Parties ” means the Required Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement), or with respect to any waiver, amendment or request, Credit Agreement Secured Parties having such amount of unused commitments, revolving credit loans or exposures, and outstanding term loans as may be required under the Credit Agreement to approve the same.

Majority Senior Parties ” means (a) prior to the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations, the Majority Credit Agreement Parties and (b) thereafter, with respect to any waiver, amendment or request, Additional Senior Debt Parties under the Additional Senior Debt Facility in respect of which the Major Additional Senior Representative acts as Representative having such amount of Indebtedness and other credit exposure as may be required under such Additional Senior Debt Facility to approve the same.

New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

Officer’s Certificate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.08.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, governmental authority or other entity.

“Pledged or Controlled Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.05(a).

Proceeds ” means the proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of Shared Collateral, any payment or distribution made in respect of Shared Collateral in a Bankruptcy Case and any amounts received by the Collateral Agent or any Senior Secured Party from a Second Priority Debt Party in respect of Shared Collateral pursuant to this Agreement or any other intercreditor agreement.

“Recovery” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

Refinance ” means, in respect of any indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, defease, amend, increase, modify, supplement, restructure, refund, replace or repay, or to issue other indebtedness or enter alternative financing arrangements, in exchange or replacement for such indebtedness (in whole or in part), including by adding or replacing lenders, creditors, agents, borrowers and/or guarantors, and including in each case, but not limited to, after the original instrument giving rise to such indebtedness has been terminated and including, in each case, through any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement. “ Refinanced ” and “ Refinancing ” have correlative meanings.

 

H-5


Registered Equivalent Notes ” means, with respect to any notes originally issued in a Rule 144A or other private placement transaction under the Securities Act of 1933, substantially identical notes (having the same Guarantees) issued in a dollar for dollar exchange therefor pursuant to an exchange offer registered with the SEC.

Representatives ” means the Senior Representatives and the Second Priority Representatives.

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor agency thereto.

“Second Priority Class  Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

“Second Priority Class  Debt Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

“Second Priority Class  Debt Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Second Priority Collateral ” means any “Collateral” as defined in any Second Priority Debt Document or any other assets of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor with respect to which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted pursuant to a Second Priority Collateral Document as security for any Second Priority Debt Obligation.

Second Priority Collateral Documents ” means the Initial Second Priority Collateral Documents and each of the security agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered by the Parent Borrower or any Grantor for purposes of providing collateral security for any Second Priority Debt Obligation.

Second Priority Debt ” means any Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor Guaranteed by the Guarantors (and not Guaranteed by any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor), including the Initial Second Priority Debt, which Indebtedness and Guarantees are secured by the Second Priority Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to control of remedies, other than as provided by the terms of the applicable Second Priority Debt Documents) with any other Second Priority Debt Obligations and the applicable Second Priority Debt Documents of which provide that such Indebtedness and Guarantees are to be secured by such Second Priority Collateral on a subordinate basis to the Senior Debt Obligations (and which is not secured by Liens on any assets of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor other than the Second Priority Collateral or which are not included in the Senior Collateral); provided , however , that (i) such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred, secured and Guaranteed on such basis by each Senior Debt Document and Second Priority Debt Document and (ii) except in the case of the Initial Second Priority Debt hereunder, the Representative for the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to this Agreement pursuant to, and by satisfying the conditions set forth in, Section 8.09 hereof. Second Priority Debt shall include any Registered Equivalent Notes and Guarantees thereof by the Guarantors issued in exchange therefor.

Second Priority Debt Documents ” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents and, with respect to any series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, the promissory notes, indentures, Collateral Documents or other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, including the Second Priority Collateral Documents.

 

H-6


Second Priority Debt Facility ” means each indenture or other governing agreement with respect to any Second Priority Debt.

Second Priority Debt Obligations ” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations and, with respect to any series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, (a) all principal of, and interest (including, without limitation, any interest which accrues after the commencement of any Bankruptcy Case, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) payable with respect to, such Second Priority Debt, (b) all other amounts payable to the related Second Priority Debt Parties under the related Second Priority Debt Documents and (c) any renewals or extensions of the foregoing.

Second Priority Debt Parties ” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties and, with respect to any series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, the holders of such Indebtedness, the Representative with respect thereto, any trustee or agent therefor under any related Second Priority Debt Documents and the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor under any related Second Priority Debt Documents.

Second Priority Instructing Group ” means Second Priority Representatives with respect to Second Priority Debt Facilities under which at least a majority of the then aggregate amount of Second Priority Debt Obligations are outstanding.

Second Priority Lien ” means the Liens on the Second Priority Collateral in favor of Second Priority Debt Parties under Second Priority Collateral Documents.

Second Priority Representative ” means (i) in the case of the Initial Second Priority Debt Facility covered hereby, the Initial Second Priority Representative and (ii) in the case of any Second Priority Debt Facility and the Second Priority Debt Parties thereunder the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under such Second Priority Debt Facility that is named as the Representative in respect of such Second Priority Debt Facility in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Secured Obligations ” means the Senior Obligations and the Second Priority Debt Obligations.

Secured Parties ” means the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties.

Security Agreement ” means the “Collateral Agreement” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

Senior Class  Debt ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Senior Class  Debt Parties ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Senior Class  Debt Representative ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Senior Collateral ” means any “Collateral” as defined in any Credit Agreement Loan Document or any other Senior Debt Document or any other assets of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor with respect to which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted pursuant to a Senior Collateral Document as security for any Senior Debt Obligation.

 

H-7


Senior Collateral Agent ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as collateral agent under the Senior Collateral Documents, and any successor thereof or replacement senior collateral agent appointed in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and, if it is then in effect, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

Senior Collateral Documents ” means the “Security Agreement” and the other “Security Documents” as defined in the Credit Agreement, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement (upon and after the initial execution and delivery thereof by the initial parties thereto) and each of the security agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered by the Parent Borrower or any Grantor for purposes of providing collateral security for any Senior Obligation.

Senior Debt Documents ” means (a) the Credit Agreement Loan Documents and (b) any Additional Senior Debt Documents.

Senior Facilities ” means the Credit Agreement and any Additional Senior Debt Facilities.

Senior Lien ” means the Liens on the Senior Collateral in favor of the Senior Secured Parties under the Senior Collateral Documents.

Senior Obligations ” means the Credit Agreement Obligations and any Additional Senior Debt Obligations.

Senior Representative ” means (i) in the case of any Credit Agreement Obligations or the Credit Agreement Secured Parties, the Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of any Additional Senior Debt Facility and the Additional Senior Debt Parties thereunder (including with respect to any Additional Senior Debt Facility initially covered hereby on the date of this Agreement) the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under such Additional Senior Debt Facility that is named as the Representative in respect of such Additional Senior Debt Facility in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Senior Secured Parties ” means the Credit Agreement Secured Parties and any Additional Senior Debt Parties.

Shared Collateral ” means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders of Senior Obligations under at least one Senior Facility and the holders of Second Priority Debt Obligations under at least one Second Priority Debt Facility (or their Representatives) hold a security interest at such time. If, at any time, any portion of the Senior Collateral under one or more Senior Facilities does not constitute Second Priority Collateral under one or more Second Priority Debt Facilities, then such portion of such Senior Collateral shall constitute Shared Collateral only with respect to the Second Priority Debt Facilities for which it constitutes Second Priority Collateral and shall not constitute Shared Collateral for any Second Priority Debt Facility which does not have a security interest in such Collateral at such time.

Subsidiary ” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise Controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower.

 

H-8


Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” means the New York UCC, or the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or comparable legislation) of another jurisdiction, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, but shall not be deemed to include the subsidiaries of such Person unless express reference is made to such subsidiaries, (iii) the words “herein”, “hereof and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections and Annexes of this Agreement, (v) unless otherwise expressly qualified herein, the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights and (vi) the term “or” is not exclusive.

ARTICLE II

Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Shared Collateral

SECTION 2.01. Subordination .

(a) Notwithstanding the date, time, manner or order of filing or recordation of any document or instrument or grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens granted to any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Parties on the Shared Collateral or of any Liens granted to the Senior Collateral Agent or the Senior Secured Parties on the Shared Collateral (or any actual or alleged defect in any of the foregoing) and notwithstanding any provision of the UCC, any applicable law, any Second Priority Debt Document or any Senior Debt Document or any other circumstance whatsoever, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby agrees that (a) any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing any Senior Obligations now or hereafter held by or on behalf of the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Secured Parties or any Senior Representative or other agent or trustee therefor, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall have priority over and be senior in all respects and prior to any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations and

(b) any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations now or hereafter held by or on behalf of any Second Priority Representative, any Second Priority Debt Parties or any Second Priority Representative or other agent or trustee therefor, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall be junior and subordinate in all respects to all Liens on the Shared Collateral securing any Senior Obligations. All Liens on the Shared Collateral securing any Senior Obligations shall be and remain senior in all respects and prior to all Liens on the Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations for all purposes, whether or not such Liens securing any Senior Obligations are subordinated to any Lien securing any other obligation of the Parent Borrower, any Grantor or any other Person or otherwise subordinated, voided, avoided, invalidated or lapsed.

 

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SECTION 2.02. Nature of Senior Lender Claims . Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges that (a) a portion of the Senior Obligations is revolving in nature and that the amount thereof that may be outstanding at any time or from time to time may be increased or reduced and subsequently reborrowed, (b) the terms of the Senior Debt Documents and the Senior Obligations may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, and the Senior Obligations, or a portion thereof, may be Refinanced from time to time and (c) the aggregate amount of the Senior Obligations may be increased, in each case, without notice to or consent by the Second Priority Representatives or the Second Priority Debt Parties and without affecting the provisions hereof. The Lien priorities provided for in Section 2.01 shall not be altered or otherwise affected by any amendment, supplement or other modification, or any Refinancing, of either the Senior Obligations or the Second Priority Debt Obligations, or any portion thereof. As between the Parent Borrower and the other Grantors and the Second Priority Debt Parties, the foregoing provisions will not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Parent Borrower and the Grantors contained in any Second Priority Debt Document with respect to the incurrence of additional Senior Obligations.

SECTION 2.03. Prohibition on Contesting Liens . Each of the Second Priority Representatives, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it shall not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the validity, extent, perfection, priority or enforceability of any Lien securing any Senior Obligations held (or purported to be held) by or on behalf of the Senior Collateral Agent or any of the Senior Secured Parties or any Senior Representative or other agent or trustee therefor in any Senior Collateral, and the Senior Collateral Agent and each Senior Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Senior Secured Party under its Senior Facility, agrees that it shall not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the validity, extent, perfection, priority or enforceability of any Lien securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations held (or purported to be held) by or on behalf of any of any Second Priority Representative or any of the Second Priority Debt Parties in the Second Priority Collateral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of the Senior Collateral Agent or any Senior Representative to enforce this Agreement (including the priority of the Liens securing the Senior Obligations as provided in Section 2.01) or any of the Senior Debt Documents.

SECTION 2.04. No New Liens . The parties hereto agree that, so long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred (a) none of the Grantors shall grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset or property of any Grantor to secure any Second Priority Debt Obligation unless it has granted, or concurrently therewith grants, a Lien on such asset or property of such Grantor to secure the Senior Obligations; and (b) if any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party shall hold any Lien on any assets or property of any Grantor securing any Second Priority Obligations that are not also subject to the first-priority Liens securing Senior Obligations under the Senior Collateral Documents, such Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party (i) shall notify the Senior Collateral Agent promptly upon becoming aware thereof and, unless such Grantor shall promptly grant a similar Lien on such assets or property to the Senior Collateral Agent as security for the Senior Obligations, shall assign such Lien to the Senior Collateral Agent as security for the Senior Obligations (but may retain a junior lien on such assets or property subject to the terms hereof) and (ii) until such assignment or such grant of a similar Lien to the Senior Collateral Agent, shall be deemed to hold and have held such Lien for the benefit of the Senior Collateral Agent as security for the Senior Obligations.

 

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SECTION 2.05. Perfection of Liens . Except for the agreements of the Senior Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 5.05 hereof, none of the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties shall be responsible for perfecting and maintaining the perfection of Liens with respect to the Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Second Priority Representatives or the Second Priority Debt Parties. The provisions of this Agreement are intended solely to govern the respective Lien priorities as between the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties and shall not impose on the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives, the Second Priority Debt Parties or any agent or trustee therefor any obligations in respect of the disposition of Proceeds of any Shared Collateral which would conflict with prior perfected claims therein in favor of any other Person or any order or decree of any court or governmental authority or any applicable law.

SECTION 2.06. Certain Cash Collateral . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Senior Debt Documents or Second Priority Debt Documents to the contrary, collateral consisting of cash and cash equivalents pledged to secure Loan Document Obligations consisting of reimbursement obligations in respect of Letters of Credit or otherwise held by the Administrative Agent or the Senior Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 2.05(i), 2.11(b) or 2.22(c) of the Credit Agreement (or any equivalent successor provision) shall be applied as specified in such Section of the Credit Agreement and will not constitute Shared Collateral.

ARTICLE III

Enforcement

SECTION 3.01 Exercise of Remedies .

(a) So long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by or against the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, (i) neither any Second Priority Representative nor any Second Priority Debt Party will (x) exercise or seek to exercise any rights or remedies (including setoff or recoupment) with respect to any Shared Collateral in respect of any Second Priority Debt Obligations, or institute any action or proceeding with respect to such rights or remedies (including any action of foreclosure), (y) contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought with respect to the Shared Collateral or any other Senior Collateral by the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party in respect of the Senior Obligations, the exercise of any right by the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party (or any agent or sub-agent on their behalf) in respect of the Senior Obligations under any lockbox agreement, control agreement, landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or similar agreement or arrangement to which the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party either is a party or may have rights as a third party beneficiary, or any other exercise by any such party of any rights and remedies relating to the Shared Collateral under the Senior Debt Documents or otherwise in respect of the Senior Collateral or the Senior Obligations, or (z) object to the forbearance by the Senior Secured Parties from bringing or pursuing any foreclosure proceeding or action or any other exercise of any rights or remedies relating to the Shared Collateral in respect of Senior Obligations and (ii) except as otherwise provided herein, the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties shall have the exclusive right to enforce rights, exercise remedies (including setoff, recoupment, and the right to credit bid their debt) and make determinations regarding the release, disposition or restrictions with respect to the Shared Collateral without any consultation with or the consent of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party; provided , however , that (A) in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding commenced by or against the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, any Second Priority Representative may file a claim or statement of interest with respect to the Second Priority Debt Obligations under its Second Priority Debt Facility,

 

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(B) any Second Priority Representative may take any action (not adverse to the prior Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the Senior Obligations or the rights of the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties to exercise remedies in respect thereof) in order to create, prove, perfect, preserve or protect (but not enforce) its rights in, and perfection and priority of its Lien on, the Shared Collateral, (C) any Second Priority Representative and the Second Priority Secured Parties may exercise their rights and remedies as unsecured creditors, as provided in Section 5.04, and (D) any Second Priority Representative may exercise the rights and remedies provided for in Section 6.03. In exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Senior Collateral, the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties may enforce the provisions of the Senior Debt Documents and exercise remedies thereunder, all in such order and in such manner as they may determine in the exercise of their sole discretion. Such exercise and enforcement shall include the rights of an agent appointed by them to sell or otherwise dispose of Shared Collateral upon foreclosure, to incur expenses in connection with such sale or disposition and to exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured lender under the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction and of a secured creditor under Bankruptcy Laws of any applicable jurisdiction.

(b) So long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will not, in the context of its role as secured creditor, take or receive any Shared Collateral or any Proceeds of Shared Collateral in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy (including setoff or recoupment) with respect to any Shared Collateral in respect of Second Priority Debt Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, except as expressly provided in the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a), the sole right of the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties with respect to the Shared Collateral is to hold a Lien on the Shared Collateral in respect of Second Priority Debt Obligations pursuant to the Second Priority Debt Documents for the period and to the extent granted therein and to receive a share of the Proceeds thereof, if any, after the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred.

(c) Subject to the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a), (i) each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that neither such Second Priority Representative nor any such Second Priority Debt Party will take any action that would hinder any exercise of remedies undertaken by the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party with respect to the Shared Collateral under the Senior Debt Documents, including any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of the Shared Collateral, whether by foreclosure or otherwise, and (ii) each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby waives any and all rights it or any such Second Priority Debt Party may have as a junior lien creditor or otherwise to object to the manner in which the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties seek to enforce or collect the Senior Obligations or the Liens granted on any of the Senior Collateral, regardless of whether any action or failure to act by or on behalf of the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party is adverse to the interests of the Second Priority Debt Parties.

(d) Each Second Priority Representative hereby acknowledges and agrees that no covenant, agreement or restriction contained in any Second Priority Debt Document shall be deemed to restrict in any way the rights and remedies of the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties with respect to the Senior Collateral as set forth in this Agreement and the Senior Debt Documents.

 

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(e) Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations, the Senior Collateral Agent and the Majority Senior Parties (or such other Senior Representative as shall be authorized in accordance with the provisions of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, if then in effect, to direct the Senior Collateral Agent or otherwise take such action) shall have the exclusive right to exercise any right or remedy with respect to the Shared Collateral and shall have the exclusive right to determine and direct the time, method and place for exercising such right or remedy or conducting any proceeding with respect thereto. Following the Discharge of Senior Obligations, the Second Priority Instructing Group and the Designated Second Priority Representative shall have the exclusive right to exercise any right or remedy with respect to the Collateral, and the Second Priority Instructing Group and Designated Second Priority Representative shall have the exclusive right to direct the time, method and place of exercising or conducting any proceeding for the exercise of any right or remedy available to the Second Priority Debt Parties with respect to the Collateral, or of exercising or directing the exercise of any trust or power conferred on the Second Priority Representatives, or for the taking of any other action authorized by the Second Priority Collateral Documents; provided , however , that nothing in this Section shall impair the right of any Second Priority Representative or other agent or trustee acting on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties to take such actions with respect to the Collateral after the Discharge of Senior Obligations as may be otherwise required or authorized pursuant to any intercreditor agreement governing the Second Priority Debt Parties or the Second Priority Debt Obligations.

SECTION 3.02. Cooperation . Subject to the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a), each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that, unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, it will not commence, or join with any Person (other than the Senior Secured Parties and the Senior Collateral Agent upon the request thereof) in commencing, any enforcement, collection, execution, levy or foreclosure action or proceeding with respect to any Lien held by it in the Shared Collateral under any of the Second Priority Debt Documents or otherwise in respect of the Second Priority Debt Obligations.

SECTION 3.03. Actions upon Breach . Should any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, contrary to this Agreement, in any way take, attempt to take or threaten to take any action with respect to the Shared Collateral (including any attempt to realize upon or enforce any remedy with respect to this Agreement) or fail to take any action required by this Agreement, the Senior Collateral Agent or any Senior Representative or other Senior Secured Party (in its or their own name or in the name of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor) or the Parent Borrower may obtain relief against such Second Priority Representative or such Second Priority Debt Party by injunction, specific performance or other appropriate equitable relief. Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Facility, hereby (i) agrees that the Senior Secured Parties’ damages from the actions of the Second Party Representatives or any Second Priority Debt Party may at that time be difficult to ascertain and may be irreparable and waives any defense that the Parent Borrower, any other Grantor or the Senior Secured Parties cannot demonstrate damage or be made whole by the awarding of damages and (ii) irrevocably waives any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law and any other defense that might be asserted to bar the remedy of specific performance in any action that may be brought by the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or and Senior Secured Party.

 

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ARTICLE IV

Payments

SECTION 4.01. Application of Proceeds . After an event of default under any Senior Debt Document has occurred and until such event of default is cured or waived, so long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, the Shared Collateral or Proceeds thereof received in connection with the sale or other disposition of, or collection on, such Shared Collateral upon the exercise of remedies shall be applied by the Senior Collateral Agent to the Senior Obligations in such order as specified in the relevant Senior Debt Documents until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred. Upon the Discharge of Senior Obligations, the Senior Collateral Agent shall deliver promptly to the Designated Second Priority Representative any Shared Collateral or Proceeds thereof held by it in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct, to be applied by the Trustee to the Second Priority Debt Obligations in such order as specified in the relevant Second Priority Debt Documents.

SECTION 4.02. Payments Over . Any Shared Collateral or Proceeds thereof received by any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy (including setoff or recoupment) relating to the Shared Collateral in contravention of this Agreement shall be segregated and held in trust for the benefit of and forthwith paid over to the Senior Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. The Senior Collateral Agent is hereby authorized to make any such endorsements as agent for each of the Second Priority Representatives or any such Second Priority Debt Party. This authorization is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable.

ARTICLE V

Other Agreements

SECTION 5.01. Releases .

(a) Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that, in the event of a sale, transfer or other disposition of any specified item of Shared Collateral (including all or substantially all of the equity interests of any subsidiary of the Parent Borrower), the Liens granted to the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties upon such Shared Collateral to secure Second Priority Debt Obligations shall terminate and be released, automatically and without any further action, concurrently with the termination and release of all Liens granted upon such Shared Collateral to secure Senior Obligations. Upon delivery to a Second Priority Representative of an Officer’s Certificate stating that any such termination and release of Liens securing the Senior Obligations has become effective (or shall become effective concurrently with such termination and release of the Liens granted to the Second Priority Debt Parties and the Second Priority Representatives) and any necessary or proper instruments of termination or release prepared by the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, such Second Priority Representative will promptly execute, deliver or acknowledge, at the Parent Borrower’s or the other Grantor’s sole cost and expense, such instruments to evidence such termination and release of the Liens. Nothing in this Section 5.01(a) will be deemed to affect any agreement of a Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties under its Second Priority Debt Facility, to release the Liens on the Second Priority Collateral as set forth in the relevant Second Priority Debt Documents.

(b) Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Senior Collateral Agent and any officer or agent of the Senior Collateral Agent, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Second Priority Representative or such Second Priority Debt Party or in the Senior Collateral Agent’s own name, from time to time in the Senior Collateral Agent’s discretion, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of Section 5.01(a), to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments that may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of Section 5.01(a), including any termination statements, endorsements or other instruments of transfer or release.

 

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(c) Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby consents to the application, whether prior to or after an event of default under any Senior Debt Document of proceeds of Shared Collateral to the repayment of Senior Obligations pursuant to the Senior Debt Documents, provided that nothing in this Section 5.01(c) shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of the Second Priority Representatives or the Second Priority Debt Parties to receive proceeds in connection with the Second Priority Debt Obligations not otherwise in contravention of this Agreement.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Second Priority Collateral Document, in the event the terms of a Senior Collateral Document and a Second Priority Collateral Document each require any Grantor (i) to make payment in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, (ii) to deliver or afford control over any item of Shared Collateral to, or deposit any item of Shared Collateral with, (iii) to register ownership of any item of Shared Collateral in the name of or make an assignment of ownership of any Shared Collateral or the rights thereunder to, (iv) cause any securities intermediary, commodity intermediary or other Person acting in a similar capacity to agree to comply, in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, with instructions or orders from, or to treat, in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, as the entitlement holder, (v) hold any item of Shared Collateral in trust for (to the extent such item of Shared Collateral cannot be held in trust for multiple parties under applicable law), (vi) obtain the agreement of a bailee or other third party to hold any item of Shared Collateral for the benefit of or subject to the control of or, in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, to follow the instructions of or (vii) obtain the agreement of a landlord with respect to access to leased premises where any item of Shared Collateral is located or waivers or subordination of rights with respect to any item of Shared Collateral in favor of, in any case, both the Senior Collateral Agent and any Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party, such Grantor may, until the applicable Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, comply with such requirement under the Second Priority Collateral Document as it relates to such Shared Collateral by taking any of the actions set forth above only with respect to, or in favor of, the Senior Collateral Agent.

SECTION 5.02 Insurance and Condemnation Awards . Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, the Senior Collateral Agent and the Senior Secured Parties shall have the sole and exclusive right, subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Senior Debt Documents, (a) to be named as additional insured and loss payee under any insurance policies maintained from time to time by any Grantor, (b) to adjust settlement for any insurance policy covering the Shared Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and (c) to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the Shared Collateral. Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, all proceeds of any such policy and any such award, if in respect of the Shared Collateral, shall be paid (i) first, prior to the occurrence of the Discharge of Senior Obligations, to the Senior Collateral Agent for the benefit of Senior Secured Parties pursuant to the terms of the Senior Debt Documents, (ii) second, after the occurrence of the Discharge of Senior Obligations, to the Designated Second Priority Representative for the benefit of the Second Priority Debt Parties pursuant to the terms of the applicable Second Priority Debt Documents and (iii) third, if no Second Priority Debt Obligations are outstanding, to the owner of the subject property, such other Person as may be entitled thereto or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. If any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party shall, at any time, receive any proceeds of any such insurance policy or any such award in contravention of this Agreement, it shall pay such proceeds over to the Senior Collateral Agent in accordance with the terms of Section 4.02.

 

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SECTION 5.03. Amendments to Second Priority Collateral Documents .

(a) Without the prior written consent of the Senior Collateral Agent and the Majority Senior Parties, no Second Priority Collateral Document may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or entered into to the extent such amendment, supplement or modification, or the terms of any new Second Priority Collateral Document, would be prohibited by or inconsistent with any of the terms of this Agreement. The Parent Borrower agrees to deliver to the Senior Collateral Agent copies of (i) any amendments, supplements or other modifications to the Second Priority Collateral Documents and (ii) any new Second Priority Collateral Documents promptly after effectiveness thereof, each, Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that each Second Priority Collateral Document under its Second Priority Debt Facility shall include the following language (or language to similar effect reasonably approved by the Senior Collateral Agent):

“Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to the [Second Priority Representative] pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject and subordinate to the liens and security interests granted in favor of the Senior Secured Parties (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement referred to below), including liens and security interests granted to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, pursuant to or in connection with the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation, the lenders party thereto, the other parties thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the [Second Priority Representative] hereunder is subject to the limitations and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement dated as of [ ], 20[ ] (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as collateral agent, SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities party thereto. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.”

(b) In the event that the Senior Collateral Agent or the Senior Secured Parties enter into any amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the Senior Collateral Documents for the purpose of adding to or deleting from, or waiving or consenting to any departures from any provisions of, any Senior Collateral Document or changing in any manner the rights of the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Secured Parties, the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor thereunder (including the release of any Liens in Senior Collateral), then such amendment, waiver or consent shall apply automatically to any comparable provision of the comparable Second Priority Collateral Documents without the consent of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party and without any action by any Second Priority Representative, the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor; provided , however , that written notice of such amendment, waiver or consent shall have been given to each Second Priority Representative within 10 Business Days after the effectiveness of such amendment, waiver or consent.

 

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SECTION 5.04. Rights as Unsecured Creditors . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties may exercise rights and remedies as unsecured creditors against the Parent Borrower and any other Grantor in accordance with the terms of the Second Priority Debt Documents and applicable law. Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the receipt by any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party of the required payments of principal, premium, interest, fees and other amounts due under the Second Priority Debt Documents so long as such receipt is not the direct or indirect result of the exercise by a Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party of rights or remedies as a secured creditor in respect of Shared Collateral. In the event any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party becomes a judgment lien creditor in respect of Shared Collateral as a result of its enforcement of its rights as an unsecured creditor in respect of Second Priority Debt Obligations, such judgment lien shall be subordinated to the Liens securing Senior Obligations on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to such Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall impair or otherwise adversely affect any rights or remedies the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties may have with respect to the Senior Collateral.

SECTION 5.05. Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection .

(a) The Senior Collateral Agent acknowledges and agrees that if it shall at any time hold a Lien securing any Senior Obligations on any Shared Collateral that can be perfected by the possession or control of such Shared Collateral or of any account in which such Shared Collateral is held, and if such Shared Collateral or any such account is in fact in the possession or under the control of the Senior Collateral Agent, or of agents or bailees of the Senior Collateral Agent (such Shared Collateral being referred to herein as the “Pledged or Controlled Collateral” ), or if it shall any time obtain any landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or any similar agreement or arrangement granting it rights or access to Shared Collateral, the Senior Collateral Agent shall also hold such Pledged or Controlled Collateral, or take such actions with respect to such landlord waiver, bailee’s letter or similar agreement or arrangement, as sub-agent or gratuitous bailee for the relevant Second Priority Representatives, in each case solely for the purpose of perfecting the Liens granted under the relevant Second Priority Collateral Documents and subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5.05.

(b) In the event that the Senior Collateral Agent (or its agents or bailees) has Lien filings against Intellectual Property that is part of the Shared Collateral that are necessary for the perfection of Liens in such Shared Collateral, the Senior Collateral Agent agrees to hold such Liens as sub-agent and gratuitous bailee for the relevant Second Priority Representatives and any assignee thereof, solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Liens pursuant to the relevant Second Priority Collateral Documents, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5.05.

(c) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, the Senior Collateral Agent shall be entitled to deal with the Pledged or Controlled Collateral in accordance with the terms of the Senior Debt Documents as if the Liens under the Second Priority Collateral Documents did not exist. The rights of the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties with respect to the Pledged or Controlled Collateral shall at all times be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

(d) The Senior Collateral Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to the Second Priority Representatives or any Second Priority Debt Party to assure that any of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral is genuine or owned by the Grantors or to protect or preserve rights or benefits of any Person or any rights pertaining to the Shared Collateral, except as expressly set forth in this Section 5.05. The duties or responsibilities of the Senior Collateral Agent under this Section 5.05 shall be limited solely to holding or controlling the Shared Collateral and the related Liens referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.05 as subagent and gratuitous bailee for the relevant Second Priority Representative for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such Second Priority Representative.

 

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(e) The Senior Collateral Agent shall not have by reason of the Second Priority Collateral Documents or this Agreement, or any other document, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, and each, Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby waives and releases the Senior Collateral Agent from all claims and liabilities arising pursuant to the Senior Collateral Agent’s role under this Section 5.05 as sub-agent and gratuitous bailee with respect to the Shared Collateral.

(f) Upon the Discharge of Senior Obligations, the Senior Collateral Agent shall, at the Grantors’ sole cost and expense, (i) (A) deliver to the Designated Second Priority Representative, to the extent that it is legally permitted to do so, all Shared Collateral, including all proceeds thereof, held or controlled by the Senior Collateral Agent or any of its agents or bailees, including the transfer of possession and control, as applicable, of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral, together with any necessary endorsements and notices to depositary banks, securities intermediaries and commodities intermediaries, and assign its rights under any landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or any similar agreement or arrangement granting it rights or access to Shared Collateral, or (B) direct and deliver such Shared Collateral as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct, (ii) notify any applicable insurance carrier that it is no longer entitled to be a loss payee or additional insured under the insurance policies of any Grantor issued by such insurance carrier and (iii) notify any governmental authority involved in any condemnation or similar proceeding involving any Grantor that the Designated Second Party Representative is entitled to approve any awards granted in such proceeding. The Parent Borrower and the other Grantors shall take such further action as is required to effectuate the transfer contemplated hereby and shall indemnify the Senior Collateral Agent for loss or damage suffered by the Senior Collateral Agent as a result of such transfer, except for loss or damage suffered by the Senior Collateral Agent as a result of its own wilful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith. The Senior Collateral Agent has no obligation to follow instructions from the Designated Second Priority Representative in contravention of this Agreement.

(g) Neither the Senior Collateral Agent nor any of the Senior Representatives or Senior Secured Parties shall be required to marshal any present or future collateral security for any obligations of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary to the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party under the Senior Debt Documents or any assurance of payment in respect thereof, or to resort to such collateral security or other assurances of payment in any particular order, and all of their rights in respect of such collateral security or any assurance of payment in respect thereof shall be cumulative and in addition to all other rights, however existing or arising.

SECTION 5.06. When Discharge of Senior Obligations Deemed to Not Have Occurred . If, at any time after the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary incurs any Senior Obligations (other than in respect of the payment of indemnities surviving the Discharge of Senior Obligations), then such Discharge of Senior Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement (other than with respect to any actions taken prior to the date of such designation as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of Senior Obligations) and the applicable agreement governing such Senior Obligations shall automatically be treated as a Senior Debt Document for all purposes of this Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Shared Collateral set forth herein and the granting by the Senior Collateral Agent of amendments, waivers and consents hereunder and the agent, representative or trustee for the holders of such Senior Obligations shall be the Senior Collateral Agent for all purposes of this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of such incurrence (including the identity of the new Senior Collateral Agent), each Second Priority Representatives (including the Designated Second Priority Representative)

 

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shall promptly (a) enter into such documents and agreements (at the expense of the Parent Borrower), including amendments or supplements to this Agreement, as the Parent Borrower or such new Senior Collateral Agent shall reasonably request in writing in order to provide the new Senior Collateral Agent the rights of the Senior Collateral Agent contemplated hereby, (b) deliver to the Senior Collateral Agent, to the extent that it is legally permitted to do so, all Shared Collateral, including all proceeds thereof, held or controlled by such Second Priority Representative or any of its agents or bailees, including the transfer of possession and control, as applicable, of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral, together with any necessary endorsements and notices to depositary banks, securities intermediaries and commodities intermediaries, and assign its rights under any landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or any similar agreement or arrangement granting it rights or access to Shared Collateral, (c) notify any applicable insurance carrier that it is no longer entitled to be a loss payee or additional insured under the insurance policies of any Grantor issued by such insurance carrier and (d) notify any governmental authority involved in any condemnation or similar proceeding involving a Grantor that the new Senior Collateral Agent is entitled to approve any awards granted in such proceeding.

ARTICLE VI

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings .

SECTION 6.01. Financing Issues . Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, if the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor shall be subject to any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party shall desire to consent (or not object) to the sale, use or lease of cash or other collateral or to consent (or not object) to the Parent Borrower’s or any other Grantor’s obtaining financing under Section 363 or Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law (“ DIP Financing ”), then each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will raise no (a) objection to and will not otherwise contest such sale, use or lease of such cash or other collateral or such DIP Financing and, except to the extent permitted by the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a) and Section 6.03, will not request adequate protection or any other relief in connection therewith and, to the extent the Liens securing the Senior Obligations under the Credit Agreement or, if no Credit Agreement exists, under the other Senior Debt Documents are subordinated or pari passu with such DIP Financing, will subordinate (and will be deemed hereunder to have subordinated) its Liens in the Shared Collateral to (x) such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto) on the same basis as the Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement, (y) any adequate protection Liens provided to the Senior Secured Parties, and (z) to any “carve-out” for professional and United States Trustee fees agreed to by the Senior Collateral Agent or the Senior Representatives, (b) objection to (and will not otherwise contest) any motion for relief from the automatic stay or from any injunction against foreclosure or enforcement in respect of Senior Obligations made by Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party, (c) objection to (and will not otherwise contest) any lawful exercise by any Senior Secured Party of the right to credit bid Senior Obligations at any sale in foreclosure of Senior Collateral or to exercise any rights under Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, (d) objection to (and will not otherwise contest) any other request for judicial relief made in any court by any Senior Secured Party relating to the lawful enforcement of any Lien on Senior Collateral or (e) objection to (and will not otherwise contest or oppose) any order relating to a sale or other disposition of assets of any Grantor for which the Senior Collateral Agent has consented that provides, to the extent such sale or other disposition is to be free and clear of Liens, that the Liens securing the Senior Obligations and the Second Priority Debt Obligations will attach to the proceeds of the sale on the same basis of priority as the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the Senior Obligations rank to the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations pursuant to this Agreement. Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that notice received two Business Days prior to the entry of an order approving such usage of cash or other collateral or approving such financing shall be adequate notice.

 

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SECTION 6.02. Relief from the Automatic Stay . Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that none of them shall seek relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or take any action in derogation thereof, in each case in respect of any Shared Collateral, without the prior written consent of the Senior Collateral Agent.

SECTION 6.03. Adequate Protection . Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that none of them shall object, contest or support any other Person objecting to or contesting (a) any request by the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties for adequate protection, (b) any objection by the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on the Senior Collateral Agent’s or any Senior Representative’s or Senior Secured Party’s claiming a lack of adequate protection or (c) the payment of interest, fees, expenses or other amounts of the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party under Section 506(b) or 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 6.03 or in Section 6.01, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (i) if the Senior Secured Parties (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection in the form of additional collateral in connection with any DIP Financing or use of cash collateral under Section 363 or 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law and the Senior Collateral Agent and the other Senior Secured Parties do not object to the adequate protection being provided to the Senior Secured Parties, then the each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, may seek or request adequate protection in the form of a replacement Lien on such additional collateral, which Lien is subordinated to the Liens securing the Senior Obligations and such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto) on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to the Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement and (ii) in the event any Second Priority Representatives, for themselves and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties under their Second Priority Debt Facilities, seek or request adequate protection and such adequate protection is granted in the form of additional collateral, then such Second Priority Representatives, for themselves and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under their Second Priority Debt Facilities, agree that the Senior Collateral Agent shall also be granted a senior Lien on such additional collateral as security for the Senior Obligations and any such DIP Financing and that any Lien on such additional collateral securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations shall be subordinated to the Liens on such collateral securing the Senior Obligations and any such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto) and any other Liens granted to the Senior Secured Parties as adequate protection on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to such Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement.

SECTION 6.04. Preference Issues . If any Senior Secured Party is required in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise to disgorge, turn over or otherwise pay any amount to the estate of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor (or any trustee, receiver or similar Person therefor), because the payment of such amount was declared to be fraudulent or preferential in any respect or for any other reason, any amount (a “ Recovery ”), whether received as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff, recoupment or otherwise, then the Senior Obligations shall be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and deemed to be outstanding as if such payment had not occurred and the Senior Secured Parties shall be entitled to a Discharge of Senior Obligations with respect to all such recovered

 

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amounts. If this Agreement shall have been terminated prior to such Recovery, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of the parties hereto. Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby agrees that none of them shall be entitled to benefit from any avoidance action affecting or otherwise relating to any distribution or allocation made in accordance with this Agreement, whether by preference or otherwise, it being understood and agreed that the benefit of such avoidance action otherwise allocable to them shall instead be allocated and turned over for application in accordance with the priorities set forth in this Agreement.

SECTION 6.05. Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classifications . Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges and agrees that (a) the grants of Liens pursuant to the Senior Collateral Documents and the Second Priority Collateral Documents constitute two separate and distinct grants of Liens and (b) because of, among other things, their differing rights in the Shared Collateral, the Second Priority Debt Obligations are fundamentally different from the Senior Obligations and must be separately classified in any plan of reorganization proposed or adopted in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it is held that the claims of the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties in respect of the Shared Collateral constitute only one secured claim (rather than separate classes of senior and junior secured claims), then each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby acknowledges and agrees that all distributions shall be made as if there were separate classes of senior and junior secured claims against the Grantors in respect of the Shared Collateral (with the effect being that, to the extent that the aggregate value of the Shared Collateral is sufficient (for this purpose ignoring all claims held by the Second Priority Debt Parties), the Senior Secured Parties shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of post-petition interest, fees, and expenses (whether or not allowed or allowable) before any distribution is made in respect of the Second Priority Debt Obligations, with each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the Senior Collateral Agent amounts otherwise received or receivable by them to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing the claim or recovery of the Second Priority Debt Parties.

SECTION 6.06. No Waivers of Rights of Senior Secured Parties . Nothing contained herein shall, except as expressly provided herein, prohibit or in any way limit the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party from objecting in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise to any action taken by any Second Priority Debt Party, including the seeking by any Second Priority Debt Party of adequate protection or the asserting by any Second Priority Debt Party of any of its rights and remedies under the Second Priority Debt Documents or otherwise.

SECTION 6.07. Application . This Agreement, which the parties hereto expressly acknowledge is a “subordination agreement” under Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, shall be effective before, during and after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. The relative rights as to the Shared Collateral and proceeds thereof shall continue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding on the same basis as prior to the date of the petition therefor, subject to any court order approving the financing of, or use of cash collateral by, any Grantor. All references herein to any Grantor shall include such Grantor as a debtor-in-possession and any receiver or trustee for such Grantor.

 

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SECTION 6.08. Other Matters . To the extent that any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party has or acquires rights under Section 363 or Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law with respect to any of the Shared Collateral, such Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees not to assert any such rights without the prior written consent of the Senior Collateral Agent, provided that if requested by the Senior Collateral Agent, such Second Priority Representative shall timely exercise such rights in the manner requested by the Senior Collateral Agent, including any rights to payments in respect of such rights.

SECTION 6.09 506(c) Claims . Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will not assert or enforce any claim under Section 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law senior to or on a parity with the Liens securing the Senior Obligations for costs or expenses of preserving or disposing of any Shared Collateral.

SECTION 6.10. Reorganization Securities . If, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, debt obligations of the reorganized debtor secured by Liens upon any property of the reorganized debtor are distributed, pursuant to a plan of reorganization or similar dispositive restructuring plan, on account of both the Senior Obligations and the Second Priority Debt Obligations, then, to the extent the debt obligations distributed on account of the Senior Obligations and on account of the Second Priority Debt Obligations are secured by Liens upon the same assets or property, the provisions of this Agreement will survive the distribution of such debt obligations pursuant to such plan and will apply with like effect to the Liens securing such debt obligations.

ARTICLE VII

Reliance; etc.

SECTION 7.01. Reliance . The consent by the Senior Secured Parties to the execution and delivery of the Second Priority Debt Documents to which the Senior Secured Parties have consented and all loans and other extensions of credit made or deemed made on and after the date hereof by the Senior Secured Parties to the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been given and made in reliance upon this Agreement. Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges that it and such Second Priority Debt Parties have, independently and without reliance on the Senior Collateral Agent or any Senior Representative or other Senior Secured Party, and based on documents and information deemed by them appropriate, made their own credit analysis and decision to enter into the Second Priority Debt Documents to which they are party or by which they are bound, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and they will continue to make their own credit decision in taking or not taking any action under the Second Priority Debt Documents or this Agreement.

SECTION 7.02. No Warranties or Liability . Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges and agrees that neither the Senior Collateral Agent nor any Senior Representative or other Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectibility or enforceability of any of the Senior Debt Documents, the ownership of any Shared Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon. The Senior Secured Parties will be entitled to manage and supervise their respective loans and extensions of credit under the Senior Debt Documents in accordance with law and as they may otherwise, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate, and the Senior Secured Parties may manage their loans and extensions of credit without

 

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regard to any rights or interests that the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties have in the Shared Collateral or otherwise, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. Neither the Senior Collateral Agent nor any Senior Representative or other Senior Secured Party shall have any duty to any Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party to act or refrain from acting in a manner that allows, or results in, the occurrence or continuance of an event of default or default under any agreement with the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary (including the Second Priority Debt Documents), regardless of any knowledge thereof that they may have or be charged with. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties have not otherwise made to each other, nor do they hereby make to each other, any warranties, express or implied, nor do they assume any liability to each other with respect to (a) the enforceability, validity, value or collectibility of any of the Senior Obligations, the Second Priority Debt Obligations or any guarantee or security which may have been granted to any of them in connection therewith, (b) any Grantor’s title to or right to transfer any of the Shared Collateral or (c) any other matter except as expressly set forth in this Agreement.

SECTION 7.03. Obligations Unconditional . All rights, interests, agreements and obligations of the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties hereunder shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:

(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Document;

(b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other terms of, all or any of the Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations, or any amendment or waiver or other modification, including any increase in the amount thereof, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, of the terms of the Credit Agreement or any other Senior Debt Document or of the terms of any Second Priority Debt Document;

(c) any exchange of any security interest in any Shared Collateral or any other collateral or any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether in writing or by course of conduct or otherwise, of all or any of the Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations or any guarantee thereof;

(d) the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor; or

(e) any other circumstances that otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, (i) the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor in respect of the Senior Obligations or (ii) any Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party in respect of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

Miscellaneous

SECTION 8.01. Conflicts . Subject to Section 8.18, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.

 

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SECTION 8.02. Continuing Nature of this Agreement; Severability . Subject to Section 6.04, this Agreement shall continue to be effective until the Discharge of Senior Obligations shall have occurred. This is a continuing agreement of Lien subordination, and the Senior Secured Parties may continue, at any time and without notice to the Second Priority Representatives or any Second Priority Debt Party, to extend credit and other financial accommodations and lend monies to or for the benefit of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary constituting Senior Obligations in reliance hereon. The terms of this Agreement shall survive and continue in full force and effect in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 8.03. Amendments; Waivers .

(a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) The Majority Senior Parties (or the Senior Collateral Agent acting with the approval of the Majority Senior Parties) and the Second Priority Instructing Group (and with respect to any such amendment, supplement or waiver (i) which by the terms of this Agreement requires the Parent Borrower’s consent or which increases the obligations or reduces the rights of the Parent Borrower or any Grantor, with the consent of the Parent Borrower, (ii) which by the terms of this Agreement requires the consent of any Second Priority Representative or which increases the obligations or reduces the rights of a Second Priority Representative, with the consent of such Second Priority Representative, (iii) which by its terms adversely affects the rights of the Second Priority Debt Parties under a particular Second Priority Debt Facility, in a manner materially different from its effect on the other Second Priority Debt Facilities, with the consent of the Representative for such Second Priority Debt Facility and (iv) which by its terms adversely affects the rights of the Senior Secured Parties under a particular Senior Debt Facility in a manner materially different from its effect on the other Senior Debt Facilities, with the consent of the Representative for such Senior Debt Facility) may from time to time amend, supplement or waive any provision hereof. Any such amendment, supplement or waiver shall be in writing and shall be binding upon the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Secured Party, any Representative may become a party hereto by execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement in accordance with Section 8.09 of this Agreement and upon such execution and delivery, such Representative and the Secured Parties and Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations of the Debt Facility for which such Representative is acting shall be subject to the terms hereof.

 

 

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SECTION 8.04. Information Concerning Financial Condition of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries . The Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Secured Parties shall each be responsible for keeping themselves informed of (a) the financial condition of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries and all endorsers or guarantors of the Senior Obligations or the Second Priority Debt Obligations and (b) all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Senior Obligations or the Second Priority Debt Obligations. The Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Secured Parties shall have no duty to advise any other party hereunder of information known to it or them regarding such condition or any such circumstances or otherwise. In the event that the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative, any Senior Secured Party, any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to any other party, it shall be under no obligation to (i) make, and the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties shall not make or be deemed to have made, any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or validity of any such information so provided, (ii) provide any additional information or to provide any such information on any subsequent occasion, (iii) undertake any investigation or (iv) disclose any information that, pursuant to accepted or reasonable commercial finance practices, such party wishes to maintain confidential or is otherwise required to maintain confidential.

SECTION 8.05. Subrogation . Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby waives any rights of subrogation it may acquire as a result of any payment hereunder until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred.

SECTION 8.06. Application of Payments . Except as otherwise provided herein, all payments received by the Senior Secured Parties may be applied, reversed and reapplied, in whole or in part, to such part of the Senior Obligations as the Senior Secured Parties, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate, consistent with the terms of the Senior Debt Documents. Except as otherwise provided herein, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, assents to any such extension or postponement of the time of payment of the Senior Obligations or any part thereof and to any other indulgence with respect thereto, to any substitution, exchange or release of any security that may at any time secure any part of the Senior Obligations and to the addition or release of any other Person primarily or secondarily liable therefor.

SECTION 8.07. Additional Grantors . The Parent Borrower agrees that, if any Subsidiary shall become a Grantor after the date hereof, it will promptly cause such Subsidiary to become party hereto by executing and delivering an instrument in the form of Annex II. Upon such execution and delivery, such Subsidiary will become a Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Grantor herein. The execution and delivery of such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party hereunder, and will be acknowledged by the Designated Second Priority Representative and the Senior Collateral Agent. The rights and obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Grantor as a party to this Agreement.

SECTION 8.08. Dealings with Grantors . Upon any application or demand by the Parent Borrower or any Grantor to the Senior Collateral Agent, the Majority Senior Parties, the Second Priority Instructing Group or the Designated Second Priority Representative to take or permit any action under any of the provisions of this Agreement or under any Collateral Document (if such action is subject to the provisions hereof), the Parent Borrower or such Grantor, as appropriate, shall furnish to the Designated Second Priority Representative or the Senior Collateral Agent a certificate of an appropriate officer (an

 

 

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Officer s Certificate ) stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Agreement or such Collateral Document, as the case may be, relating to the proposed action have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Agreement or any Collateral Document relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

SECTION 8.09. Additional Debt Facilities . To the extent, but only to the extent, permitted by the provisions of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents, the Parent Borrower may incur or issue and sell one or more series or classes of Second Priority Debt and one or more series or classes of Additional Senior Debt. Any such additional class or series of Second Priority Debt (the “Second Priority Class  Debt” ) may be secured by a second priority, subordinated Lien on Shared Collateral, in each case under and pursuant to the relevant Second Priority Collateral Documents for such Second Priority Class Debt, if and subject to the condition that the Representative of any such Second Priority Class Debt (each, a “Second Priority Class  Debt Representative” ), acting on behalf of the holders of such Second Priority Class Debt (such Representative and holders in respect of any Second Priority Class Debt being referred to as the “Second Priority Class  Debt Parties” ), becomes a party to this Agreement by satisfying conditions (i) through (vi), as applicable, of the immediately succeeding paragraph. Any such additional class or series of Senior Facilities (the “Senior Class  Debt” ; and the Senior Class Debt and Second Priority Class Debt, collectively, the “Class  Debt” ) may be secured by a senior Lien on Shared Collateral, in each case under and pursuant to the Senior Collateral Documents, if and subject to the condition that the Representative of any such Senior Class Debt (each, a “Senior Class  Debt Representative” ; and the Senior Class Debt Representatives and Second Priority Class Debt Representatives, collectively, the “Class  Debt Representatives” ), acting on behalf of the holders of such Senior Class Debt (such Representative and holders in respect of any such Senior Class Debt being referred to as the “Senior Class  Debt Parties ; and the Senior Class Debt Parties and Second Priority Class Debt Parties, collectively, the “Class  Debt Parties” ), becomes a party to this Agreement by satisfying the conditions set forth in clauses (i) through (vi), as applicable, of the immediately succeeding paragraph. In order for a Class Debt Representative to become a party to this Agreement:

(i) such Class Debt Representative shall have executed and delivered a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Annex III (if such Representative is a Second Priority Class Debt Representative) or Annex IV (if such Representative is a Senior Class Debt Representative) (with such changes as may be reasonably approved by the Senior Collateral Agent and such Class Debt Representative) pursuant to which it becomes a Representative hereunder, and the Class Debt in respect of which such Class Debt Representative is the Representative and the related Class Debt Parties become subject hereto and bound hereby;

(ii) the Parent Borrower shall have delivered to the Senior Collateral Agent and the Designated Second Priority Representative true and complete copies of each of the Second Priority Debt Documents or Senior Debt Documents, as applicable, relating to such Class Debt, certified as being true and correct by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower;

(iii) in the case of any Second Priority Class Debt, all filings, recordations and/or amendments or supplements to the Second Priority Collateral Documents necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Designated Second Priority Representative to confirm and perfect the second priority Liens securing the relevant Second Priority Debt Obligations relating to such Class Debt shall have been made, executed and/or delivered (or, with respect to any such filings or recordations, acceptable provisions to perform such filings or recordings have been taken in the reasonable judgment of the Designated Second Priority Representative), and all fees and taxes in connection therewith shall have been paid (or acceptable provisions to make such payments have been taken in the reasonable judgment of the Collateral Agent);

 

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(iv) in the case of any Senior Class Debt, all filings, recordations and/or amendments or supplements to the Senior Collateral Documents necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Senior Collateral Agent to confirm and perfect the senior Liens securing the relevant Senior Obligations relating to such Class Debt shall have been made, executed and/or delivered (or, with respect to any such filings or recordations, acceptable provisions to perform such filings or recordings have been taken in the reasonable judgment of the Senior Collateral Agent), and all fees and taxes in connection therewith shall have been paid; and

(v) the Second Priority Debt Documents or Senior Debt Documents, as applicable, relating to such Class Debt shall provide, in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Senior Collateral Agent and the Designated Second Priority Representative, that each Class Debt Party with respect to such Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of this Agreement in its capacity as a holder of such Class Debt.

SECTION 8.10. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waivers . The Senior Collateral Agent and each Representative, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties of the Debt Facility for which it is acting, irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the Collateral Documents, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Person (or its Representative) at the address referred to in Section 8.11;

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right of any other party hereto (or any Secured Party) to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law; and

(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 8.10 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

SECTION 8.11. Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent:

(i) if to the Parent Borrower or any Grantor, to the Parent Borrower, at its address at:[    ], Attention of [    ], telecopy [    ];

(ii) if to the Initial Second Priority Representative to it at [    ] Attention of [    ], telecopy [    ];

 

H-27


(iii) if to the original Senior Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent, to it at: [JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 1111 Fannin, 10th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention of [●] (Fax No.: [●]) (email: [●]), with a copy];

(iv) if to any other Second Priority Representative or Senior Representative, to it at the address specified by it in the Joinder Agreement delivered by it pursuant to Section 8.09.

Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and, may be personally served, telecopied, electronically mailed or sent by courier service or U.S. mail and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of a telecopy or electronic mail or upon receipt via U.S. mail (registered or certified, with postage prepaid and properly addressed). For the purposes hereof, the addresses of the parties hereto shall be as set forth above or, as to each party, at such other address as may be designated by such party in a written notice to all of the other parties. As agreed to in writing among the Senior Collateral Agent and each Representative from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable person provided from time to time by such person.

SECTION 8.12. Further Assurances . Each of the Senior Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and each Senior Secured Party, and each Second Party Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will take such further action and shall execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments (in recordable form, if requested) as the other parties hereto may reasonably request to effectuate the terms of, and the Lien priorities contemplated by, this Agreement.

SECTION 8.13. GOVERNING LAW; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

(A) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF LAW.

(B) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

SECTION 8.14. Binding on Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives, the Second Priority Debt Parties, the Parent Borrower, the other Grantors party hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 8.15. Section Titles . The section titles contained in this Agreement are and shall be without substantive meaning or content of any kind whatsoever and are not a part of this Agreement.

SECTION 8.16. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by means of facsimile, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall together constitute one and the same document. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

 

H-28


SECTION 8.17. Authorization . By its signature, each Person executing this Agreement on behalf of a party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that it is duly authorized to execute this Agreement. The Senior Collateral Agent represents and warrants that this Agreement is binding upon the Credit Agreement Secured Parties. The Initial Second Priority Representative represents and warrants that this Agreement is binding upon the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties.

SECTION 8.18. No Third Party Beneficiaries; Successors and Assigns . The lien priorities set forth in this Agreement and the rights and benefits hereunder in respect of such lien priorities shall inure solely to the benefit of the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties, and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and no other Person (including the Grantors, or any trustee, receiver, debtor in possession or bankruptcy estate in a bankruptcy or like proceeding) shall have or be entitled to assert such rights.

SECTION 8.19. Effectiveness . This Agreement shall become effective when executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

SECTION 8.20. Senior Collateral Agent and Trustee . It is understood and agreed that (a) the Senior Collateral Agent is entering into this Agreement in (i) its capacities as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement and the provisions of Article VIII of the Credit Agreement applicable to it as administrative agent thereunder shall also apply to it as Senior Collateral Agent hereunder and (ii) its capacity as Collateral Agent under the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement (if applicable), and the provisions of Article IV of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as collateral agent thereunder shall also apply to it as Senior Collateral Agent hereunder and (b) [ ] is entering in this Agreement in its capacity as [Trustee] under [indenture] and the provisions of Article [ ] of such indenture applicable to the Trustee thereunder shall also apply to the Trustee hereunder.

SECTION 8.21. Relative Rights . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (except to the extent contemplated by Section 5.01(a), 5.01(d) or 5.03(b)), nothing in this Agreement is intended to or will (a) amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of the Credit Agreement, any other Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Documents, or permit the Parent Borrower or any Grantor to take any action, or fail to take any action, to the extent such action or failure would otherwise constitute a breach of, or default under, the Credit Agreement or any other Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Documents, (b) change the relative priorities of the Senior Obligations or the Liens granted under the Senior Collateral Documents on the Shared Collateral (or any other assets) as among the Senior Secured Parties, (c) otherwise change the relative rights of the Senior Secured Parties in respect of the Shared Collateral as among such Senior Secured Parties or (d) obligate the Parent Borrower or any Grantor to take any action, or fail to take any action, that would otherwise constitute a breach of, or default under, the Credit Agreement or any other Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Document.

SECTION 8.22. Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

H-29


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent,

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory
Holdings), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE GRANTORS LISTED ON ANNEX I
HERETO,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[S ECOND -L IEN I NTERCREDITOR A GREEMENT S IGNATURE P AGE ]

 


[        ],
as Initial Additional Authorized Representative
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

H-2


ANNEX I

Grantors

[        ]

 

 


ANNEX II

SUPPLEMENT NO. dated as of , to the SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [        ], 20[    ] (the “ Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation, certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Parent Borrower (each, a “Grantor” ), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Senior Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties under the Senior Collateral Documents (in such capacity, the “ Senior Collateral Agent ”) and as Senior Representative under the Credit Agreement, [        ], as Initial Second Priority Representative, and the additional Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

A. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

B. The Grantors have entered into the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, certain Additional Senior Debt Documents and certain Second Priority Debt Documents, certain newly acquired or organized Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower are required to enter into the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 8.07 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Subsidiaries may become party to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Grantor ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement, the Second Priority Debt Documents and Additional Senior Debt Documents.

Accordingly, the Senior Collateral Agent and the New Subsidiary Grantor agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 8.07 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the New Grantor by its signature below becomes a Grantor under the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor, and the New Grantor hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Grantor thereunder. Each reference to a “Grantor” in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Grantor. The Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The New Grantor represents and warrants to the Senior Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Senior Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Grantor. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.


SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 8.11 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Grantor shall be given to it in care of the Parent Borrower as specified in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

SECTION 8. The Parent Borrower agrees to reimburse the Senior Collateral Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Senior Collateral Agent.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Grantor, and the Senior Collateral Agent have duly executed this Supplement to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW SUBSIDIARY GRANTOR],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

Acknowledged by:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Senior Collateral Agent,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[                    ], as Designated Second Priority Representative,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


ANNEX III

[FORM OF] REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT NO. [    ] dated as of [        ], 20[    ] to the SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [        ], 20[    ] (the “ Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation, certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Parent Borrower (each, a “ Grantor ”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Senior Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties under the Senior Collateral Documents (in such capacity, the “ Senior Collateral Agent ”) and as Senior Representative under the Credit Agreement, [        ], as Initial Second Priority Representative, and the additional Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

A. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

B. As a condition to the ability of the Borrowers to incur Second Priority Debt and to secure such Second Priority Class Debt with the Second Priority Lien and to have such Second Priority Class Debt guaranteed by the Grantors on a subordinated basis, in each case under and pursuant to the Second Priority Collateral Documents, the Second Priority Class Representative in respect of such Second Priority Class Debt is required to become a Representative under, and such Second Priority Class Debt and the Second Priority Class Debt Parties in respect thereof are required to become subject to and bound by, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 8.09 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Second Priority Class Debt Representative may become a Representative under, and such Second Priority Class Debt and such Second Priority Class Debt Parties may become subject to and bound by, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, pursuant to the execution and delivery by the Second Priority Class Debt Representative of an instrument in the form of this Representative Supplement and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Section 8.09 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The undersigned Second Priority Class Debt Representative (the “ New Representative ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents.

Accordingly, the Senior Collateral Agent and the New Representative agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 8.09 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the New Representative by its signature below becomes a Representative under, and the related Second Priority Class Debt and Second Priority Class Debt Parties become subject to and bound by, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Representative had originally been named therein as a Representative, and the New Representative, on behalf of itself and such Second Priority Class Debt Parties, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Second Priority Representative and to the Second Priority Class Debt Parties that it represents as Second Priority Debt Parties. Each reference to a “ Representative ” or “ Second Priority Representative ” in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Representative. The Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.


SECTION 2. The New Representative represents and warrants to the Senior Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this Representative Supplement, in its capacity as [agent] [trustee], (ii) this Representative Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of such Agreement and (iii) the Second Priority Debt Documents relating to such Second Priority Class Debt provide that, upon the New Representative’s entry into this Agreement, the Second Priority Class Debt Parties in respect of such Second Priority Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement as Second Priority Debt Parties.

SECTION 3. This Representative Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Representative Supplement shall become effective when the Senior Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Representative Supplement that bears the signature of the New Representative. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Representative Supplement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Representative Supplement.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Representative Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 8.11 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Representative shall be given to it at the address set forth below its signature hereto.

SECTION 8. The Parent Borrower agrees to reimburse the Senior Collateral Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Representative Supplement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Senior Collateral Agent.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Representative and the Senior Collateral Agent have duly executed this Representative Supplement to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW REPRESENTATIVE], as
[                     ] for the holders of
[                                ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Address for notices:
 

 

 

 

  attention of:                                                        
  Telecopy:                                                           

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Senior Collateral Agent,

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Acknowledged by:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE GRANTORS
LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Schedule I to the

Representative Supplement to the

Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Grantors

[            ]


ANNEX IV

[FORM OF] REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT NO. [    ] dated as of [        ], 20[    ] to the SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [        ], 20[    ] (the “ Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation, certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Parent Borrower (each, a “ Grantor ”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Senior Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties under the Senior Collateral Documents (in such capacity, the “ Senior Collateral Agent ”) and as Senior Representative under the Credit Agreement, [            ], as Initial Second Priority Representative, and the additional Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

A. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

B. As a condition to the ability of the Borrowers to incur Senior Class Debt after the date of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and to secure such Senior Class Debt with the Senior Lien and to have such Senior Class Debt guaranteed by the Grantors on a senior basis, in each case under and pursuant to the Senior Collateral Documents, the Senior Class Debt Representative in respect of such Senior Class Debt is required to become a Representative under, and such Senior Class Debt and the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect thereof are required to become subject to and bound by, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 8.09 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Senior Class Debt Representative may become a Representative under, and such Senior Class Debt and such Senior Class Debt Parties may become subject to and bound by, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, pursuant to the execution and delivery by the Senior Class Debt Representative of an instrument in the form of this Representative Supplement and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Section 8.09 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The undersigned Senior Class Debt Representative (the “ New Representative ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents.

Accordingly, the Senior Collateral Agent and the New Representative agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 8.09 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the New Representative by its signature below becomes a Representative under, and the related Senior Class Debt and Senior Class Debt Parties become subject to and bound by, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Representative had originally been named therein as a Representative, and the New Representative, on behalf of itself and such Senior Class Debt Parties, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Senior Representative and to the Senior Class Debt Parties that it represents as Senior Debt Parties. Each reference to a “ Representative ” or “ Senior Representative ” in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Representative. The Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.


SECTION 2. The New Representative represents and warrants to the Senior Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this Representative Supplement, in its capacity as [agent] [trustee], (ii) this Representative Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of such Agreement and (iii) the Senior Debt Documents relating to such Senior Class Debt provide that, upon the New Representative’s entry into this Agreement, the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect of such Senior Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement as Senior Secured Parties.

SECTION 3. This Representative Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Representative Supplement shall become effective when the Senior Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Representative Supplement that bears the signature of the New Representative. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Representative Supplement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Representative Supplement.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Representative Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 8.11 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Representative shall be given to it at the address set forth below its signature hereto.

SECTION 8. The Parent Borrower agrees to reimburse the Senior Collateral Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Representative Supplement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Senior Collateral Agent.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Representative and the Senior Collateral Agent have duly executed this Representative Supplement to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW REPRESENTATIVE], as
[                    ] for the holders of
[                                ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Address for notices:
 

 

 

 

  attention of:                                                           
  Telecopy:                                                              

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Senior Collateral Agent,

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Acknowledged by:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE GRANTORS
LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Schedule I to the

Representative Supplement to the

Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Grantors

[            ]


EXHIBIT I

FORM OF CLOSING CERTIFICATE

[NAME OF CERTIFYING LOAN PARTY]

[            ] [     ], 2011

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the lending institutions from time to time parties thereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

1. The undersigned, [            ], a Responsible Officer of [            ] (the “Certifying Loan Party”), hereby certifies that [            ] is a duly elected and qualified Responsible Officer of the Certifying Loan Party and the signature set forth on the signature line for such officer below is such officer’s true and genuine signature, and such officer is duly authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Certifying Loan Party each Loan Document to which it is a party and any certificate or other document to be delivered by the Certifying Loan Party pursuant to such Loan Documents.

2. The undersigned, [        ], a Responsible Officer of the Certifying Loan Party, hereby certifies as follows:

(a) There are no liquidation or dissolution proceedings pending or to my knowledge threatened against the Certifying Loan Party, nor to my knowledge has any other event occurred affecting or threatening the [corporate] existence of the Certifying Loan Party;

(b) The Certifying Loan Party is a [corporation] [limited liability company] [other relevant entity] duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the [jurisdiction];

(c) Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a complete and correct copy of the resolutions duly adopted by the [board of directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof)] [members] [other relevant body in foreign jurisdictions] of the Certifying Loan Party on [    ], 2011, authorizing [(a)] the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents (and any agreements relating thereto) to which it is a party [and (b) the extensions of credit contemplated by the Credit Agreement] 1 ; such resolutions have not in any way been amended, modified, revoked or rescinded and have been in full force and effect since their adoption to and including the date hereof and are now in full force and effect; and such resolutions are the only [corporate] [company] proceedings of the Certifying Loan Party now in force relating to or affecting the matters referred to therein;

(d) Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a true and complete copy of the certificate of [incorporation] [formation] [other relevant organizational document] of the Certifying Loan Party as in effect on the date hereof, certified by the [Secretary of State of the State of [            ] [other relevant body in foreign jurisdictions] as of a recent date;

 

1   Borrowers only.

 

 

I-1


(e) Attached hereto as Exhibit C is a true and complete copy of the [by-laws] [limited liability company agreement] [other relevant governing document] of the Certifying Loan Party as in effect on the date hereof;

(f) Attached hereto as Exhibit D is a true and complete copy of a [good standing

certificate] [other relevant document], certified by [the Secretary of State of [    ]] [other relevant body in foreign jurisdictions] as of a recent date;

(g) The following persons are now duly elected and qualified Responsible Officers of the Certifying Loan Party holding the offices indicated next to their respective names below, and such officers hold such offices with the Certifying Loan Party on the date hereof, and the signatures appearing opposite their respective names below are the true and genuine signatures of such officers, and each of such officers is duly authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Certifying Loan Party each Loan Document to which it is a party and any certificate or other document to be delivered by the Certifying Loan Party pursuant to such Loan Documents:

 

Name

  

Office

  

Signature

     

 

     

 

     

 

 

 

I-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have signed this certificate as of the date first written above.

 

 

Name:

Title:

  

 

Name:

Title:

  

[C LOSING C ERTIFICATE S IGNATURE P AGE ]


Exhibit A

to the Closing Certificate

Resolutions


Exhibit B

to the Closing Certificate

Certificate of [formation] [incorporation]


Exhibit C

to the Closing Certificate

[by-laws] [limited liability company agreement]


EXHIBIT J

FORM OF INTERCOMPANY NOTE

[_________________], 2011

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, each of the undersigned, to the extent a borrower from time to time from any other Person listed on the signature page hereto (each, in such capacity, a “ Payor ”), hereby promises to pay on demand to the order of such other Person listed below (each, in such capacity, a “ Payee ”), in lawful money of the United States of America, or in such other currency as agreed to by such Payor and such Payee, in immediately available funds, at such location as such Payee shall from time to time designate, the unpaid principal amount of all loans and advances (including trade payables) made by such Payee to such Payor. Each Payor promises also to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of all such loans and advances in like money at said location from the date of such loans and advances until paid at such rate per annum as shall be agreed upon from time to time by such Payor and such Payee.

Capitalized terms used in this intercompany promissory note (this “ Note ”) but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc. (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc. (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ”, and each a “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., as Administrative Agent.

This Note shall be pledged by each Payee that is a Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Documents as collateral security for such Payee’s Secured Obligations. Each Payee hereby acknowledges and agrees that after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice from the Administrative Agent to such Payee ( provided that no such notice shall be required to be given in the case of any Event of Default arising under Section 7.01(h) or 7.01(i) of the Credit Agreement), (i) the Administrative Agent may exercise any and all rights of any Loan Party with respect to this Note and (ii) upon demand of the Administrative Agent, all amounts evidenced by this Note that are owed by any Payor to any Loan Party shall become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind (it being understood that the Administrative Agent may make any such demand for all or any subset of the amounts owing to such Loan Party and upon any or all Payors obligated to such Loan Party, all without the consent or permission of any Payor or Payee). Each Payor also hereby acknowledges and agrees that this Note constitutes notice of assignment, pursuant to the relevant Security Documents, of the loans and advances and other amounts evidenced by this Note and further acknowledges the receipt of such notice of assignment.

Upon the commencement of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceeding in connection therewith, relating to any Payor owing any amounts evidenced by this Note to any Loan Party, or to any property of any such Payor, or upon the commencement of any proceeding for voluntary liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of any such Payor, all amounts evidenced by this Note owing by such Payor to any and all Loan Parties shall become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind.

 

J-1


Anything in this Note to the contrary notwithstanding, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note owed by any Payor that is a Loan Party to any Payee shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, to all Secured Obligations of such Payor until the payment in full in cash of all Secured Obligations of such Payor; provided that each Payor may make payments to the applicable Payee unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and such Payor shall have received notice from the Administrative Agent ( provided that no such notice shall be required to be given in the case of any Event of Default arising under Section 7.01(h) or 7.01(i) of the Credit Agreement) (such Secured Obligations and other indebtedness and obligations in connection with any renewal, refunding, restructuring or refinancing thereof, including interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any proceedings referred to in clause (i) below, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim in such proceeding, being hereinafter collectively referred to as “ Senior Indebtedness ”).

(i) In the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, and any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings in connection therewith, relating to any Payor or to its property, and in the event of any proceedings for voluntary liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of any Payor, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, then, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (x) the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be paid in full in cash in respect of all amounts constituting Senior Indebtedness (other than contingent obligations (other than obligations in respect of Letters of Credit) as to which no claim has been made) before any Payee shall be entitled to receive (whether directly or indirectly), or make any demand for, any payment from such Payor on account of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note owed by such Payor to such Payee and (y) until the holders of Senior Indebtedness are paid in full in cash in respect of all amounts constituting Senior Indebtedness (other than contingent obligations (other than obligations in respect of Letters of Credit) as to which no claim has been made), any payment or distribution to which such Payee would otherwise be entitled, whether in cash, property or securities (other than a payment of debt securities of such Payor that are subordinated and junior in right of payment to the Senior Indebtedness at least the same extent as the indebtedness evidenced by this Note is subordinated and junior in right of payment to the Senior Indebtedness then outstanding (such securities being hereinafter referred to as “ Restructured Debt Securities ”)) shall instead be made to the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

(ii) If any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and after notice from the Administrative Agent ( provided that no such notice shall be required to be given in the case of any Event of Default arising under Section 7.01(h) or 7.01(i) of the Credit Agreement), then (x) no payment or distribution of any kind or character shall be made by or on behalf of any Payor that is a Loan Party, or any other Person on its behalf, with respect to any amounts evidenced by this Note and (y) no amounts evidenced by this Note owing by any Payor to any Payee that is a Loan Party shall be forgiven or otherwise reduced in any way, other than as a result of payment in full thereof made in cash.

(iii) If any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities or other property (other than Restructured Debt Securities), and whether directly, by purchase, redemption, exercise of any right of setoff or otherwise, with respect to any amounts evidenced by this Note shall (despite these subordination provisions) be received by any Payee in violation of clause (i) or (ii) above prior to all Senior Indebtedness having been paid in full in cash (other than contingent obligations (other than obligations in respect of Letters of Credit) as to which no claim has been made), such payment or distribution shall be held by such Payee in trust (segregated from other property of such Payee) for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, and shall be paid over or delivered to the Administrative Agent promptly upon receipt.

 

J-2


(iv) Each Payor agrees to file all claims against each relevant Payee in any bankruptcy or other proceeding in which the filing of claims is required by law in respect of any Senior Indebtedness, and the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to all of such Payor’s rights thereunder. If for any reason a Payor fails to file such claim at least ten Business Days prior to the last date on which such claim should be filed, such Payor hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to act as attorney-in-fact in such Payor’s name to file such claim or, in the Administrative Agent’s discretion, to assign such claim to and cause proof of claim to be filed in the name of the Administrative Agent or its nominee. In all such cases, whether in administration, bankruptcy or otherwise, the person or persons authorized to pay such claim shall pay to the Administrative Agent the full amount payable on the claim in the proceeding, and, to the full extent necessary for that purpose, each Payor hereby assigns to the Administrative Agent all of such Payor’s rights to any payments or distributions to which such Payor otherwise would be entitled. If the amount so paid is greater than such Payor’s liability hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall pay the excess amount to the party entitled thereto. In addition, each Payor hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its attorney-in-fact to exercise all of such Payor’s voting rights in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding or any plan for the reorganization of each relevant Payee.

(v) Each Payee waives the right to compel that any property of any Payor or any property of any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person be applied in any particular order to discharge such Senior Indebtedness. Each Payee expressly waives the right to require the Administrative Agent or any other holder of Senior Indebtedness to proceed against any Payor, any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person, or to pursue any other remedy in its or their power that such Payee cannot pursue and that would lighten such Payee’s burden, notwithstanding that the failure of the Administrative Agent or any such other holder to do so may thereby prejudice such Payee. Each Payee agrees that it shall not be discharged, exonerated or have its obligations hereunder reduced by the Administrative Agent’s or any other holder’s of Senior Indebtedness delay in proceeding against or enforcing any remedy against any Payor, any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person; by the Administrative Agent or any holder of Senior Indebtedness releasing any Payor, any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person from all or any part of the Senior Indebtedness; or by the discharge of any Payor, any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person by an operation of law or otherwise, with or without the intervention or omission of the Administrative Agent or any such holder.

(vi) Each Payee waives all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies by the Administrative Agent or any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, even though that election of remedies, including any nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to any property securing any Senior Indebtedness, has impaired the value of such Payee’s rights of subrogation, reimbursement, or contribution against any Payor, any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person. Each Payee expressly waives any rights or defenses it may have by reason of protection afforded to any Payor, any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person with respect to the Senior Indebtedness pursuant to any anti-deficiency laws or other laws of similar import that limit or discharge the principal debtor’s indebtedness upon judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure of property or assets securing any Senior Indebtedness.

(vii) Each Payee agrees that, without the necessity of any reservation of rights against it, and without notice to or further assent by it, any demand for payment of any Senior Indebtedness made by the Administrative Agent or any other holder of Senior Indebtedness may be rescinded in whole or in part by the Administrative Agent or such holder, and any Senior Indebtedness may be continued, and the Senior Indebtedness or the liability of any Payee, any guarantor thereof or any other Person obligated thereunder, or any right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by the Administrative Agent or any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, in each case without notice to or further assent by such Payee, which will remain bound hereunder, and without impairing, abridging, releasing or affecting the subordination provided for herein.

 

J-3


(viii) Each Payee waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any Senior Indebtedness, and any and all notice of or proof of reliance by holders of Senior Indebtedness upon the subordination provisions set forth herein. The Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have been created, contracted or incurred, and the consent to create the obligations of any Payee evidenced by this Note shall be deemed conclusively to have been given, in reliance upon the subordination provisions set forth herein.

(ix) To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Payee waives any claim it might have against the Administrative Agent or any other holder of Senior Indebtedness with respect to, or arising out of, any action or failure to act or any error of judgment, negligence, or mistake or oversight whatsoever on the part of the Administrative Agent or any such holder, or any of their Related Parties, with respect to any exercise of rights or remedies under the Loan Documents, except to the extent due to the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or any such holder, as the case may be, or any of its Related Parties, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and nonappealable judgment. None of the Administrative Agent, any other holder of Senior Indebtedness or any of their Related Parties shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any guarantee of any Senior Indebtedness, or for any delay in doing so, or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any property upon the request of any Payor, any Payee or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to any such guarantee or any other property.

Each Payee and each Payor hereby agree that the subordination provisions set forth in this Note is for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Administrative Agent and the other holders of Senior Indebtedness are obligees under this Note to the same extent as if their names were written herein as such and the Administrative Agent may, on behalf of itself and such other holders, proceed to enforce the subordination provisions set forth herein.

All rights and interests of the Administrative Agent and the other holders of Senior Indebtedness hereunder, and the subordination provisions and the related agreements of the Payors and Payees set forth herein, shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document;

(ii) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Senior Indebtedness or any amendment or waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, of, or consent to departure from, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document;

(iii) any release, amendment, waiver or other modification, whether in writing or by course of conduct or otherwise, of or consent to departure from, any guarantee of any Senior Indebtedness; or

(iv) any other circumstances that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Payor in respect of any Senior Indebtedness or of any Payee or any Payor in respect of the subordination provisions set forth herein.

 

J-4


The indebtedness evidenced by this Note owed by any Payor that is not a Loan Party shall not be subordinated to, and shall rank pari passu in right of payment with, any other obligation of such Payor.

Nothing contained in the subordination provisions set forth above is intended to or will impair, as between each Payor and each Payee, the obligations of such Payor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay to such Payee the principal of and interest on this Note as and when due and payable in accordance with its terms, or is intended to or will affect the relative rights of such Payee and other creditors of such Payor other than the Administrative Agent and the other holders of Senior Indebtedness.

Each Payee is hereby authorized to record all loans and advances made by it to any Payor (all of which shall be evidenced by this Note), and all repayments or prepayments thereof, in its books and records, such books and records constituting prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information contained therein.

Each Payor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind whatsoever in connection with this Note. All payments under this Note shall be made without offset, counterclaim or deduction of any kind.

This Note shall be binding upon each Payor and its successors and assigns, and the terms and provisions of this Note shall inure to the benefit of each Payee and its successors and assigns, including subsequent holders hereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in any other Loan Document or in any other promissory note or other instrument, this Note replaces and supersedes any and all promissory notes or other instruments which create or evidence any loans or advances made on, before or after the date hereof by any Payee to Holdings or any Subsidiary.

From time to time after the date hereof, additional Subsidiaries of Holdings may become parties hereto (as Payor and/or Payee, as the case may be) by executing a counterpart signature page to this Note (each additional Subsidiary, an “ Additional Party ”). Upon delivery of such counterpart signature page to the Payees, notice of which is hereby waived by the other Payors, each Additional Party shall be a Payor and/or a Payee, as the case may be, and shall be as fully a party hereto as if such Additional Party were an original signatory hereof. Each Payor expressly agrees that its obligations arising hereunder shall not be affected or diminished by the addition or release of any other Payor or Payee hereunder. This Note shall be fully effective as to any Payor or Payee that is or becomes a party hereto regardless of whether any other Person becomes or fails to become or ceases to be a Payor or Payee hereunder.

No amendment, modification or waiver of, or consent with respect to, any provisions of this Note shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed and delivered by each Payor and Payee whose rights or obligations shall be affected thereby; provided that, until such time as (i) all the Loan Document Obligations (including LC Disbursements, if any, but excluding contingent obligations as to which no claim has been made) have been paid in full in cash, (ii) all Commitments have terminated or expired and (iii) the LC Exposure has been reduced to zero (including as a result of obtaining the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank as described in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement) and the Issuing Banks have no further obligation to issue or amend Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall have provided its prior written consent to such amendment, modification, waiver or consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld to the extent such amendment or modification is required to comply with any Requirement of Law or is not adverse to the interests of the Lenders in any material respects).

 

J-5


THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

[                    ]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[I NTERCOMPANY N OTE S IGNATURE P AGE ]

 


EXHIBIT K

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Notice

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Specified Discount Prepayment Notice is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B) of that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011 (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B) of the Agreement, the [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby offers to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment to each Term Lender [and to each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 10 tranche[s] of Term Loans] on the following terms:

1. This Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment is available only to each Term Lender [and to each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 11 tranche[s] of Term Loans].

2. The maximum aggregate outstanding amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment that will be made in connection with this offer shall not exceed $[•] of Term Loans [and $[•] of the [•, 20•] 12 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Specified Discount Prepayment Amount ”). 13

3. The percentage discount to par value at which such Discounted Term Loan Prepayment will be made is [•]% in respect of the Term Loans [and [•]% in respect of the [•, 20•] 14 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Specified Discount ”).

To accept this offer, you are required to submit to the Administrative Agent a Specified Discount Prepayment Response on or before 5:00 p.m. New York time on the date that is three ( 3 ) Business Days following the date of delivery of this notice pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B) of the Agreement.

 

10 List multiple tranches if applicable.
11 List multiple tranches if applicable.
12 List multiple tranches if applicable.
13 Minimum of $1.0 million and whole increments of $500,000.
14 List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

K-1


The [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent [and the Term Lenders][, the Term Lenders and each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 15 tranche[s] of Term Loans] as follows:

1. The [Parent/Co-] Borrower will not make a Borrowing of Revolving Loans to fund this Discounted Term Loan Prepayment.

2. [At least ten ( 10 ) Business Days have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Term Loan Prepayment as a result of a prepayment made by the [Parent/Co-] Borrower on the applicable Discounted Prepayment Effective Date.][At least three ( 3 ) Business Days have passed since the date the [Parent/Co-] Borrower was notified that no Term Lender was willing to accept any prepayment of any Term Loan and/or Other Term Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of [Parent/Co-] Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, the date of the [Parent/Co-] Borrower’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers made by a Term Lender.] 16

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower acknowledges that the Auction Agent and the relevant Term Lenders are relying on the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations and warranties in connection with their decision whether or not to accept the offer set forth in this Specified Discount Prepayment Notice and the acceptance of any prepayment made in connection with this Specified Discount Prepayment Notice.

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower requests that Auction Agent promptly notify each of the relevant Term Lenders party to the Agreement of this Specified Discount Prepayment Notice.

[REMAINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

15 List multiple tranches if applicable.
16 Insert applicable representation.

 

K-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Specified Discount Prepayment Notice as of the date first above written.

 

[Executed as a Deed by

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:

 

[SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Enclosure: Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Response

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT L

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Response

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to ( a ) that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011 (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, and ( b ) that certain Specified Discount Prepayment Notice, dated [            , 20     ], from the Borrower (the “ Specified Discount Prepayment Notice ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Specified Discount Prepayment Notice or, to the extent not defined therein, in the Agreement.

The undersigned [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] hereby gives you irrevocable notice, pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B) of the Agreement, that it is willing to accept a prepayment of the following [tranches of] Term Loans held by such [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] at the Specified Discount in an aggregate outstanding amount as follows:

[Term Loans - $[•]]

[[•, 20•] 17 tranche[s] of Term Loans - $[•]]

The undersigned [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] hereby expressly consents and agrees to a prepayment of its [Term Loans][[•, 20•] 18 tranche[s]] pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B) of the Agreement at a price equal to the [applicable] Specified Discount in the aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed the amount set forth above, as such amount may be reduced in accordance with the Specified Discount Proration, and as otherwise determined in accordance with and subject to the requirements of the Agreement.

[REMAINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

17 List multiple tranches if applicable.
18 List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

L-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Specified Discount Prepayment Response as of the date first above written.

 

[                ]

 

By:  

 

  Name
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name
  Title:

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]

 


EXHIBIT M

Form of Discount Range Prepayment Notice

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Discount Range Prepayment Notice is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) of that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) of the Agreement, the [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby requests that each Term Lender [and to each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 19 tranche[s] of Term Loans] submit a Discount Range Prepayment Offer. Any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment made in connection with this solicitation shall be subject to the following terms:

1. This Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers is extended at the sole discretion of the [Parent/Co-] Borrower to each Term Lender [and to each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 20 tranche[s] of Term Loans].

2. The maximum aggregate outstanding amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment that will be made in connection with this solicitation is $[•] of Term Loans [and $[•] of the [•, 20•] 21 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Discount Range Prepayment Amount ”). 22

3. The [Parent/Co-] Borrower is willing to make Discount Term Loan Prepayments at a percentage discount to par value greater than or equal to [•]% but less than or equal to [•]% in respect of the Term Loans [and greater than or equal to [•]% but less than or equal to [•]% in respect of the [•, 20•] 23 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Discount Range ”).

 

19   List multiple tranches if applicable.
20   List multiple tranches if applicable.
21   List multiple tranches if applicable.
22   Minimum of $1.0 million and whole increments of $500,000.
23   List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

M-1


To make an offer in connection with this solicitation, you are required to deliver to the Administrative Agent a Discount Range Prepayment Offer on or before 5:00 p.m. New York time on the date that is three ( 3 ) Business Days following the dated delivery of the notice pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) of the Agreement.

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Auction Agent [and the Term Lenders][, the Term Lenders and each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 24 tranche[s] of Term Loans] as follows:

1. The [Parent/Co-] Borrower will not make a Borrowing of Revolving Loans to fund this Discounted Term Loan Prepayment.

2. [At least ten ( 10 ) Business Days have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Term Loan Prepayment as a result of a prepayment made by the Borrower on the applicable Discounted Prepayment Effective Date.][At least three ( 3 ) Business Days have passed since the date the [Parent/Co-] Borrower was notified that no Term Lender was willing to accept any prepayment of any Term Loan and/or Other Term Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of [Parent/Co-] Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, the date of the [Parent/Co-] Borrower’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers made by a Term Lender.] 25

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower acknowledges that the Auction Agent and the relevant Term Lenders are relying on the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations and warranties in connection with any Discount Range Prepayment Offer made in response to this Discount Range Prepayment Notice and the acceptance of any prepayment made in connection with this Discount Range Prepayment Notice.

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower requests that Auction Agent promptly notify each of the relevant Term Lenders party to the Agreement of this Discount Range Prepayment Notice.

[REMAINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

24 List multiple tranches if applicable.
25 Insert applicable representation.

 

M-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Discount Range Prepayment Notice as of the date first above written.

 

[Executed as a Deed by

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:

 

[SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.]

 

By:  

 

 

  Name:
  Title:]

Enclosure: Form of Discount Range Prepayment Offer

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT N

Form of Discount Range Prepayment Offer

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to ( a ) that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, and ( b ) that certain Discount Range Prepayment Notice, dated [            , 20      ], from the Borrower (the “ Discount Range Prepayment Notice ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Discount Range Prepayment Notice or, to the extent not defined therein, in the Agreement.

The undersigned [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] hereby gives you irrevocable notice, pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) of the Agreement, that it is hereby offering to accept a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment on the following terms:

1. This Discount Range Prepayment Offer is available only for prepayment on the [Term Loans][and the [•, 20•] 26 tranche[s] of Term Loans] held by the undersigned.

2. The maximum aggregate outstanding amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment that may be made in connection with this offer shall not exceed (the “ Submitted Amount ”):

[Term Loans - $[•]]

[[•, 20•] 27 tranche[s] of Term Loans - $[•]]

3. The percentage discount to par value at which such Discounted Term Loan Prepayment may be made is [•]% in respect of the Term Loans [and [•]% in respect of the [•, 20•] 28 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Submitted Discount ”).

 

26 List multiple tranches if applicable.
27 List multiple tranches if applicable.
28 List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

N-1


The undersigned [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] hereby expressly consents and agrees to a prepayment of its [Term Loans] [[•, 20•] 29 tranche[s] of Term Loans] indicated above pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) of the Agreement at a price equal to the Applicable Discount and in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed the Submitted Amount, as such amount may be reduced in accordance with the Discount Range Proration, if any, and as otherwise determined in accordance with and subject to the requirements of the Agreement.

[REMAINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

29 List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

N-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Discount Range Prepayment Offer as of the date first above written.

 

[                     ]

 

By:  

 

  Name
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name
  Title:

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT O

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of the Agreement, the [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby requests that each Term Lender [and to each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 30 tranche[s] of Term Loans] submit a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer. Any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment made in connection with this solicitation shall be subject to the following terms:

1. This Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers is extended at the sole discretion of the [Parent/Co-] Borrower to each Term Lender [and to each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 31 tranche[s] of Term Loans].

2. The maximum aggregate outstanding amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment that will be made in connection with this solicitation is (the “ Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount ”): 32

[Term Loans - $[•]]

[[•, 20•] 33 tranche[s] of Term Loans - $[•]]

To make an offer in connection with this solicitation, you are required to deliver to the Administrative Agent a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer on or before 5:00 p.m. New York time on the date that is three ( 3 ) Business Days following delivery of this notice pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of the Agreement.

 

30 List multiple tranches if applicable.
31 List multiple tranches if applicable.
32 Minimum of $1.0 million and whole increments of $500,000.
33 List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

O-1


The [Parent/Co-] Borrower requests that Auction Agent promptly notify each of the relevant Term Lenders party to the Agreement of this Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice.

[REMAINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

O-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice as of the date first above written.

 

[Executed as a Deed by

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:

 

[SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Enclosure: Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT P

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to ( a ) that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, and ( b ) that certain Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice, dated [            , 20      ], from the Borrower (the “ Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice or, to the extent not defined therein, in the Agreement.

To accept the offer set forth herein, you must submit an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice on or before the third Business Day following your receipt of this notice.

The undersigned [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] hereby gives you irrevocable notice, pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of the Agreement, that it is hereby offering to accept a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment on the following terms:

1. This Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer is available only for prepayment on the [Term Loans][[•, 20•] 34 tranche[s] of Term Loans] held by the undersigned.

2. The maximum aggregate outstanding amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment that may be made in connection with this offer shall not exceed (the “ Offered Amount ”):

[Term Loans - $[•]]

[[•, 20•] 35 tranche[s] of Term Loans - $[•]]

3. The percentage discount to par value at which such Discounted Term Loan Prepayment may be made is [•]% in respect of the Term Loans [and [•]% in respect of the [•, 20•] 36 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Offered Discount ”).

 

34 List multiple tranches if applicable.
35 List multiple tranches if applicable.
36 List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

P-1


The undersigned [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] hereby expressly consents and agrees to a prepayment of its [Term Loans] [[•, 20 •] 37 tranche[s] of Term Loans] pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of the Agreement at a price equal to the Acceptable Discount and in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed such Lender’s Offered Amount as such amount may be reduced in accordance with the Solicited Discount Proration, if any, and as otherwise determined in accordance with and subject to the requirements of the Agreement.

[REMINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

37   List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

P-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer as of the date first above written.

 

[                    ]

 

By:  

 

  Name
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name
  Title:

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT Q

Form of Acceptance and Prepayment Notice

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Acceptance and Prepayment Notice is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of the Agreement, the [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby irrevocably notifies you that it accepts offers delivered in response to the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice having an Offered Discount equal to or greater than [•]% in respect of the Term Loans [and [•]% in respect of the [•, 20•] 38 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Acceptable Discount ”) in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount.

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower expressly agrees that this Acceptance and Prepayment Notice shall be irrevocable and is subject to the provisions of Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of the Agreement.

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Auction Agent [and the Term Lenders][and the Term Lenders and each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 39 tranche[s] of Term Loans] as follows:

1. The [Parent/Co-] Borrower will not make a Borrowing of Revolving Loans to fund this Discounted Term Loan Prepayment.

2. [At least ten ( 10 ) Business Days have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Term Loan Prepayment as a result of a prepayment made by the [Parent/Co-] Borrower on the applicable Discounted Prepayment Effective Date.][At least three ( 3 ) Business Days have passed since the date the [Parent/Co-] Borrower was notified that no Term Lender was willing to accept any prepayment of any Term Loan and/or Other Term Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of [Parent/Co-] Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, the date of the [Parent/Co-] Borrower’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers made by a Term Lender.] 40

 

38   List multiple tranches if applicable.
39   List multiple tranches if applicable.
40   Insert applicable representation.

 

Q-1


The [Parent/Co-] Borrower acknowledges that the Auction Agent and the relevant Term Lenders are relying on the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations and warranties in connection with the acceptance of any prepayment made in connection with a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer.

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower requests that Auction Agent promptly notify each of the relevant Term Lenders party to the Agreement of this Acceptance and Prepayment Notice.

[REMAINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

Q-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Acceptance and Prepayment Notice as of the date first above written.

 

[Executed as a Deed by

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:

 

[SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT R-1

FORM OF

UNITED STATES TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the banks and other lending institutions from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”), (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Code Section 881(c)(3)(B), (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with a United States trade or business conducted by the undersigned.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing and (2) the undersigned shall furnish the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which payment is to be made by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payment.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

R-1


[Lender]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

[Address]

Dated:                      , 20[    ]

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT R-2

FORM OF

UNITED STATES TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the banks and other lending institutions from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) neither the undersigned nor any of its partners/members is a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”), (iv) none of its partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Code Section 881(c)(3)(B), (v) none of its partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with the a United States trade or business conducted by the undersigned or its partners/members.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower with Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not limit the obligation of the Lender to provide, in the case of a partner/member not claiming the portfolio interest exemption, a Form W-8ECI, Form W-9 or Form W-8IMY (including appropriate underlying certificates from each interest holder of such partner/member), in each case establishing such partner/member’s available exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

R-2


[Lender]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[Address]

Dated:                               , 20[    ]

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT R-3

FORM OF

UNITED STATES TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the banks and other lending institutions from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) and Section 9.04(c) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”), (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Code Section 881(c)(3)(B), (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with a United States trade or business conducted by the undersigned.

The undersigned has furnished its participating non-U.S. Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such non-U.S. Lender in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such non-U.S. Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

R-3


[Participant]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[Address]

Dated:                              , 20[    ]

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT R-4

FORM OF

UNITED STATES TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the banks and other lending institutions from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) and Section 9.04(c) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) neither the undersigned nor any of its partners/members is a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”), (iv) none of its partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Code Section 881(c)(3)(B), (v) none of its partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with a United States trade or business conducted by the undersigned’s or its partners/members.

The undersigned has furnished its participating non-U.S. Lender with Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not limit the obligation of the undersigned to provide, in the case of a partner/member not claiming the portfolio interest exemption, a Form W-8ECI, Form W-9 or Form W-8IMY (including appropriate underlying certificates from each interest holder of such partner/member), in each case establishing such partner/member’s available exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such non-U.S. Lender in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such non-U.S. Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

R-4


[Participant]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[Address]

Dated:                                                       , 20[    ]

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]

Exhibit 10.15

AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

This AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”), dated as of November 5, 2016, is made and entered into among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (as successor in interest to SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc. (f.k.a. SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.)), a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ’), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”) and the Lenders party hereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement (as defined below).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Borrowers, Holdings, the Administrative Agent and the other parties named therein are party to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011, as amended prior to the date hereof (as so amended, the “ Credit Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement permits certain provisions of any Loan Document to be amended with the consent of the Parent Borrower and the Required Lenders;

WHEREAS, the Administrative Agent, Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Required Lenders have agreed to amend the Credit Agreement on the terms set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

SECTION ONE. Amendment . As of the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date (a) the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as set forth on Annex A hereto and (b) each of Schedules 6.01, 6.02, 6.04(e) and 6.09 thereto are hereby amended and restated in their entirety as set forth on Annex B hereto.

SECTION TWO. Conditions to Effectiveness . This Amendment shall become effective as of the date first written above (such date, the “ Amendment No. 4 Effective Date ”) when, and only when,

(a) the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of this Amendment executed by the Administrative Agent, each Term Lender, the Required Lenders, Holdings and the Parent Borrower;


(b) the Administrative Agent shall have received for the ratable account of the Term Lenders party hereto, an additional payment equal to $5,000,000, which additional payment shall be payable in the form of additional Term Loans of like aggregate principal amount;

(c) SMART Global Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company or a Subsidiary thereof shall have made a common equity investment of at least $9,900,000 in cash to the Parent Borrower;

(d) 10,402,765 warrants to purchase ordinary shares of SMART Global Holdings, Inc. in the aggregate shall have been earned as of the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date and issued to the Term Lenders in each case pursuant to a Warrant Agreement substantially in the form of Annex C hereto, with each Term Lender receiving its pro rata portion of such warrants based on its pro rata share of the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan held by such Term Lender as of the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date;

(e) the representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date; provided that, to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; provided further that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects on the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date or on such earlier date, as the case may be; and

(f) on the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date and immediately after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

SECTION THREE. Representations and Warranties . This Amendment been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action of each of Holdings and the Borrowers and, if required, action by the holders of each of Holdings’ or each Borrower’s Equity Interests. This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by each of Holdings and the Borrowers and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Holdings and the Borrowers, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. SMART Global Holdings, Inc. has not issued any preferred Equity Interests.

SECTION FOUR. Reference to and Effect on the Loan Documents . On and after the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment. The

 

-2-


Loan Documents are and shall continue to be in full force and effect. The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Lender or any Agent under any of the Loan Documents, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of any of the Loan Documents. This Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document.

SECTION FIVE. Execution in Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by telecopier or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

SECTION SIX. Governing Law . This Amendment shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York (without regard to the conflict of law principles thereof to the extent that the application of the laws of another jurisdiction would be required thereby).

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

-3-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

EXECUTED AS A DEED BY
SMART WORLDWIDE HOLDING, INC.
By:  

/s/ Iain Mackenzie

  Name: Iain Mackenzie
  Title: President & CEO
By:  

/s/ Bruce Goldberg

  Witness
  Name: Bruce Goldberg
  Title: VP & CLO
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (GLOBAL), INC.
By:  

/s/ Iain Mackenzie

  Name: Iain Mackenzie
  Title: Director
By:  

/s/ Bruce Goldberg

  Witness
  Name: Bruce Goldberg
  Title: Secretary

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
as Administrative Agent

By:  

/s/ Christopher M. Aitkin

  Name: Christopher M. Aitkin
  Title: Assistant Vice President

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Michael Willett

  Name: Michael Willett
  Title: Authorized Signatory

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment

Napier Park Select Master Fund LP.

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Jonathan Dorfman

  Name: Jonathan Dorfman
  Title: Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Ram Putcha

  Name: Ram Putcha
  Title: Managing Director

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
 

Wells Fargo Bank,

  as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Ben Casey

  Name: Ben Casey
  Title: V.P.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.

ALLIANCE BERNSTEIN HIGH INCOME FUND,

AB GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND,

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN US HIGH YIELD

COLLECTIVE TRUST, ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN

HY POOLING PORTFOLIO

                                                          ,
as a Lenders
By:  

/s/ Devin Nomellini

  Name: Devin Nomellini
  Title: Senior Vice President
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
                                              .
as a Lender
 

            Banco do Brasil

            535 Madison Avenue - 34th Fl.

            New York, NY 10022

By:  

/s/ Joao Fruet

  Name: Joao Fruet
  Title: General Manager
By:  

/s/ Reinaldo Lima

  Name: Reinaldo Lima
  Title: Deputy General Manager

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.

Barclays Bank PLC,

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Keith Baldrey

  Name: Keith Baldrey
  Title: Authorized Signatory
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
CPPIB Credit Investments III Inc.
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Ryan Selwood

  Name: Ryan Selwood
  Title: Authorized Signatory

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
D-Star Ltd.
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Jonathan Dorfman

  Name: Jonathan Dorfman
  Title: Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Ram Putcha

  Name: Ram Putcha
  Title: Managing Director

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approve the Amendment.
Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Anca Trifan

  Name: Anca Trifan
  Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Marcus M. Tarkington

  Name: Marcus M. Tarkington
  Title:   Director

 

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


JFIN REVOLVER CLO 2015 LTD.
By: Jefferies Finance LLC, as Portfolio Manager
By:  

/s/ J. Paul McDonnell

Name:   J. Paul McDonnell
Title:   Managing Director
JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
By:  

/s/ J. Paul McDonnell

Name:   J. Paul McDonnell
Title:   Managing Director

 

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
Oaktree Value Opportunities Fund Holdings, L.P.
By:   Oaktree Value Opportunities Fund GP, L.P.
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Value Opportunities Fund GP Ltd.
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Its:   Director
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name:   Robert O’Leary
Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Brook Hinchman

Name:   Brook Hinchman
Title:   Senior Vice President
Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIII Delaware, L.P.
By:   Oaktree Fund GP, LLC
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Fund GP I, L.P.
Its:   Managing Member
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name:   Robert O’Leary
Title:   Authorized Signatory
By:  

/s/ Brook Hinchman

Name:   Brook Hinchman
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund, L.P.
By:   Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund GP, L.P.
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund GP, Ltd.
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Its:   Director
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name:   Robert O’Leary
Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Brook Hinchman

Name:   Brook Hinchman
Title:   Senior Vice President
Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIII (Parallel 2), L.P.
By:   Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIII GP, L.P.
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIII GP Ltd.
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Its:   Director
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name:   Robert O’Leary
Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Brook Hinchman

Name:   Brook Hinchman
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIIIb Delaware, L.P.
By:   Oaktree Fund GP, LLC
Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Fund GPI, L.P.
Its:   Managing Member
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name:   Robert O’Leary
Title:   Authorized Signatory
By:  

/s/ Brook Hinchman

Name:   Brook Hinchman
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement]


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
SSF Trust,
By: Symphony Asset Management LLC
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

  Name: Gunther Stein
  Title: CIO
 
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
Nuveen Senior Income Fund,
By: Symphony Asset Management LLC
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

  Name: Gunther Stein
  Title: CIO
 
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunities Fund,
By: Symphony Asset Management LLC
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

  Name: Gunther Stein
  Title: CIO
 
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund,
By: Symphony Asset Management LLC
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

  Name: Gunther Stein
  Title: CIO
 
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund,
By: Symphony Asset Management LLC
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

  Name: Gunther Stein
  Title: CIO
 
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
Symphony CLO VII, Ltd.,
By: Symphony Asset Management LLC
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

  Name: Gunther Stein
  Title: CIO
 
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
California Street CLO V, Ltd.,
By: Symphony Asset Management LLC
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

  Name: Gunther Stein
  Title: CIO
 
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
Symphony CLO IV, Ltd.,
By: Symphony Asset Management LLC
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

  Name: Gunther Stein
  Title: CIO
 
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
California Street CLO III, Ltd.,
By: Symphony Asset Management LLC
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

  Name: Gunther Stein
  Title: CIO
 
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
California Street CLO II, Ltd.,
By: Symphony Asset Management LLC
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Gunther Stein

  Name: Gunther Stein
  Title: CIO
 
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
BlueMountain CLO II, Ltd.,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Ellen Brooks

  Name: Ellen Brooks
  Title:   Operations Analyst


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
BlueMountain CLO III, Ltd.,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Ellen Brooks

  Name: Ellen Brooks
  Title: Operations Analyst


The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Amendment.
BlueMountain CLO 2011-1, Ltd.,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Ellen Brooks

  Name: Ellen Brooks
  Title:   Operations Analyst


Annex A

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

November 5, 2016,

among

SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc. as successor to

SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc. (formerly known as

SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.),

as Holdings,

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,

as Parent Borrower,

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,

as Co-Borrower,

The Lenders Party Hereto

and

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as Administrative Agent

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

Lead Arranger and Bookrunner,

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

  

SECTION 1.01.

   Defined Terms      1  

SECTION 1.02.

   Classification of Loans and Borrowings      42  

SECTION 1.03.

   Terms Generally      42  

SECTION 1.04.

   Accounting Terms; GAAP      42  

SECTION 1.05.

   Effectuation of Transactions      43  

SECTION 1.06.

   Currency Translation      43  

SECTION 1.07.

   Effect of this Agreement on the Original Credit Agreement and the Other Existing Loan Documents      43  

ARTICLE II

 

THE CREDITS

  

SECTION 2.01.

   Commitments      43  

SECTION 2.02.

   Loans and Borrowings      44  

SECTION 2.03.

   Requests for Borrowings      44  

SECTION 2.04.

   Swingline Loans      45  

SECTION 2.05.

   Letters of Credit and Bank Guarantees      46  

SECTION 2.06.

   Funding of Borrowings      50  

SECTION 2.07.

   Interest Elections      51  

SECTION 2.08.

   Termination and Reduction of Commitments      52  

SECTION 2.09.

   Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt      53  

SECTION 2.10.

   Amortization of Term Loans      53  

SECTION 2.11.

   Prepayment of Loans      54  

SECTION 2.12.

   Fees      61  

SECTION 2.13.

   Interest      62  

SECTION 2.14.

   Alternate Rate of Interest      63  

SECTION 2.15.

   Increased Costs      63  

SECTION 2.16.

   Break Funding Payments      64  

SECTION 2.17.

   Taxes      64  

SECTION 2.18.

   Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs      67  

SECTION 2.19.

   Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders      68  

SECTION 2.20.

   [Intentionally Omitted]      69  

SECTION 2.21.

   Refinancing Amendments      69  

SECTION 2.22.

   Defaulting Lenders      70  

SECTION 2.23.

   Illegality      71  

SECTION 2.24.

   Tax Treatment      72  
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES   

SECTION 3.01.

   Organization; Powers      73  

SECTION 3.02.

   Authorization; Enforceability      73  

SECTION 3.03.

   Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts      73  

SECTION 3.04.

   Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect      73  

SECTION 3.05.

   Properties      74  

SECTION 3.06.

   Litigation and Environmental Matters      74  

SECTION 3.07.

   Compliance with Laws and Agreements      75  

 

-i-


SECTION 3.08.

   Investment Company Status      75  

SECTION 3.09.

   Taxes      75  

SECTION 3.10.

   ERISA      75  

SECTION 3.11.

   Disclosure      75  

SECTION 3.12.

   Subsidiaries      75  

SECTION 3.13.

   Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.      75  

SECTION 3.14.

   Solvency      76  

SECTION 3.15.

   Senior Indebtedness      76  

SECTION 3.16.

   Federal Reserve Regulations      76  

SECTION 3.17.

   Use of Proceeds      76  

ARTICLE IV

 

CONDITIONS

  

SECTION 4.01.

   Effective Date      76  

SECTION 4.02.

   Each Credit Event      79  

ARTICLE V

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

  

SECTION 5.01.

   Financial Statements and Other Information      79  

SECTION 5.02.

   Notices of Material Events      82  

SECTION 5.03.

   Information Regarding Collateral      83  

SECTION 5.04.

   Existence; Conduct of Business      83  

SECTION 5.05.

   Payment of Taxes, etc.      83  

SECTION 5.06.

   Maintenance of Properties      83  

SECTION 5.07.

   Insurance      83  

SECTION 5.08.

   Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights      84  

SECTION 5.09.

   Compliance with Laws      84  

SECTION 5.10.

   Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit      84  

SECTION 5.11.

   Additional Subsidiaries      84  

SECTION 5.12.

   Further Assurances      84  

SECTION 5.13.

   Ratings      85  

SECTION 5.14.

   Certain Post-Closing Obligations      85  

SECTION 5.15.

   Storage Monetization      85  

SECTION 5.16.

   Designation of Subsidiaries      85  

SECTION 5.17.

   Post-Restatement Effective Date Actions      86  
ARTICLE VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS   

SECTION 6.01.

   Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities      87  

SECTION 6.02.

   Liens      89  

SECTION 6.03.

   Fundamental Changes; Holding Companies      90  

SECTION 6.04.

   Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions      93  

SECTION 6.05.

   Asset Sales      94  

SECTION 6.06.

   Sale and Leaseback Transactions      95  

SECTION 6.07.

   Swap Agreements      96  

SECTION 6.08.

   Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness      96  

SECTION 6.09.

   Transactions with Affiliates      97  

SECTION 6.10.

   Restrictive Agreements      98  

SECTION 6.11.

   Amendment of Junior Financing      99  

SECTION 6.12.

   Financial Covenants      99  

SECTION 6.13.

   Changes in Fiscal Periods      99  

 

-ii-


ARTICLE VII

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

  

SECTION 7.01.

   Events of Default      99  

SECTION 7.02.

   Right to Cure      101  

SECTION 7.03.

   Application of Proceeds      102  

ARTICLE VIII THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

ARTICLE IX

  
MISCELLANEOUS   

SECTION 9.01.

   Notices      105  

SECTION 9.02.

   Waivers; Amendments      106  

SECTION 9.03.

   Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver      109  

SECTION 9.04.

   Successors and Assigns      110  

SECTION 9.05.

   Survival      114  

SECTION 9.06.

   Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness      115  

SECTION 9.07.

   Severability      115  

SECTION 9.08.

   Right of Setoff      115  

SECTION 9.09.

   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process      115  

SECTION 9.10.

   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      116  

SECTION 9.11.

   Headings      116  

SECTION 9.12.

   Confidentiality      116  

SECTION 9.13.

   USA Patriot Act      117  

SECTION 9.14.

   Judgment Currency      117  

SECTION 9.15.

   Release of Liens and Guarantees      117  

SECTION 9.16.

   No Fiduciary Relationship      118  

SECTION 9.17.

   Obligation Joint and Several      118  

SECTION 9.18.

   Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions      118  

 

-iii-


SCHEDULES:

 

Schedule 1.01(a)

Schedule 1.01(b)

Schedule 2.01

Schedule 3.12

Schedule 5.14

Schedule 6.01

Schedule 6.02

Schedule 6.04(e)

Schedule 6.09

Schedule 6.10

  

    

Excluded Subsidiaries

Existing Letters of Credit

Commitments

Subsidiaries

Certain Post-Closing Obligations

Existing Indebtedness

Existing Liens

Existing Investments

Existing Affiliate Transactions

Existing Restrictions

EXHIBITS:        

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

  

    

Form of Assignment and Assumption

Form of Guarantee Agreement

[Reserved]

Exhibit D

Exhibit E

  

    

Form of Perfection Certificate

Form of Collateral Agreement

Exhibit F-1         Form of Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Exhibit F-2         Form of Opinion of Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados
Exhibit F-3         Form of Opinion of Walkers Global

Exhibit F-4

Exhibit F-5

  

    

Form of Opinion of De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

Form of Opinion of Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen

Exhibit G         Form of First Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Exhibit H

Exhibit I

       

Form of Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Form of Closing Certificate

Exhibit J         Form of Intercompany Note

Exhibit K

Exhibit L

  

    

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Notice

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Response

Exhibit M         Form of Discount Range Prepayment Notice
Exhibit N         Form of Discount Range Prepayment Offer

Exhibit O

Exhibit P

  

    

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer

Exhibit Q         Form of Acceptance and Prepayment Notice
Exhibit R-1         Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit R-2         Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit R-3         Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit R-4         Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

-iv-


AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of November 5, 2016 (this “ Agreement ”), among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc. as successor to SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc. (formerly known as SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., California corporation (the “ Co- Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party hereto and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as Administrative Agent.

WHEREAS, Borrowers, the Lenders and the Agent are party to a credit agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended prior to the date hereof, the “ Original Credit Agreement ”) and have agreed to amend and restate in its entirety the Original Credit Agreement and replace it in its entirety with this Agreement; and

NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

ABR ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

Acceptable Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Acceptable Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Acceptance and Prepayment Notice ” means an irrevocable written notice from a Term Lender accepting a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment at the Acceptable Discount specified therein pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) substantially in the form of Exhibit Q .

Acceptance Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11 (a)(ii)(D).

Acquired EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Acquired Entity or Business or any Converted Restricted Subsidiary (any of the foregoing, a “ Pro Forma Entity ”) for any period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Pro Forma Entity (determined as if references to the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the definition of the term “Consolidated EBITDA” were references to such Pro Forma Entity and its subsidiaries which will become Restricted Subsidiaries), all as determined on a consolidated basis for such Pro Forma Entity.

Acquisition ” means the acquisition of the Target and its subsidiaries.

Acquisition Agreement ” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 26, 2011 among Holdings, Saleen Acquisition, Inc. and the Target.

Acquisition Documents ” means the Acquisition Agreement, all other agreements to be entered into between the Target or its Affiliates and Holdings or its Affiliates in connection with the Acquisition and all schedules, exhibits and annexes to each of the foregoing and all side letters, instruments and agreements affecting the terms of the foregoing or entered into in connection therewith.

Additional Lender ” means, at any time, any bank or other financial institution (including any such bank or financial institution that is a Lender at such time) that agrees to provide any portion of any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment in accordance with Section 2.21;


provided that each Additional Lender (other than any Person that is a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund of a Lender at such time) shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent (such approval in each case not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and the Parent Borrower.

Adjusted LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in dollars for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to (i) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (ii) the Statutory Reserve Rate.

Administrative Agent ” means Barclays Bank PLC, in its capacity as administrative agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Article VIII. The Administrative Agent may from time to time designate one or more of its Affiliates or branches to perform the functions of the Administrative Agent in connection with Loans denominated in any currency other than dollars, in which case references herein to the “Administrative Agent” shall, in connection with Loans denominated in any such currency, mean any Affiliate or branch so designated.

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly or indirectly Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Affiliated Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that is the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor (other than Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of their respective subsidiaries) at such time.

Agent ” means the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and any successors and assigns in such capacity, and “ Agents ” means two or more of them.

Agreement Currency ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.14(b).

Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) for a deposit in dollars with a maturity of one month plus 1%. For purposes of clause (c) above, the Adjusted LIBO Rate on any day shall be based on the rate appearing on the Reuters “LIBOR01” screen displaying British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates (or on any successor or substitute screen provided by Reuters, or any successor to or substitute for such service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such screen, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to such day for deposits in dollars with a maturity of one month. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) with respect to Term Loans, the Alternate Base Rate will be deemed to be 2.25% per annum if the Alternate Base Rate calculated pursuant to the foregoing provisions would otherwise be less than 2.25% per annum and (ii) otherwise, the Alternate Base Rate will be deemed to be 2.00% per annum if the Alternate Base Rate calculated pursuant to the foregoing provisions would otherwise be less than 2.00%.

Applicable Account ” means, with respect to any payment to be made to the Administrative Agent hereunder, the account specified by the Administrative Agent from time to time for the purpose of receiving payments of such type.

Applicable Creditor ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.14(b).

Applicable Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

 

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Applicable Fronting Exposure ” means, with respect to any Person that is an Issuing Bank or a Swingline Lender at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of all Letters of Credit issued by such Person in its capacity as an Issuing Bank (if applicable) that remains available for drawing at such time, (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements made by such Person in its capacity as an Issuing Bank (if applicable) that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of such Borrower at such time and (c) the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans made by such Person in its capacity as a Swingline Lender (if applicable) outstanding at such time.

Applicable Percentage ” means, at any time with respect to any Revolving Lender, the percentage of the aggregate Revolving Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time (or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, such Lender’s share of the total Revolving Exposure at that time); provided that, at any time any Revolving Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the total Revolving Commitments (disregarding any such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment) represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment. If the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments pursuant to this Agreement and to any Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender at the time of determination.

Applicable Rate ” means, for any day, (a)(i) with respect to any Term Loan, (A) 7.00% per annum, in the case of an ABR Loan (which shall increase to 7.75% per annum the first anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date if the Term Loans are still outstanding as of such date), or (B) 8.00% per annum, in the case of a Eurocurrency Loan (which shall increase to 8.75% per annum on the first anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date if the Term Loans are still outstanding as of such date), and (b) with respect to any ABR Loan or Eurocurrency Loan (other than a Term Loan), the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “ABR Spread” or “Eurocurrency Spread”, as the case may be, based upon the Secured Leverage Ratio as of the end of the fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower for which consolidated financial statements have theretofore been most recently delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 (a) or 5.01(b); provided that, for purposes of clause (b), until the date of the delivery of the consolidated financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01 (a) or 5.01(b) as of and for the fiscal quarter ended November 25, 2011, the Applicable Rate shall be based on the rates per annum set forth in Category 1:

 

Secured Leverage Ratio

   ABR
Spread
    Eurocurrency
Spread
 

Category 1

Greater than 2.25 to 1.00

     3.00     4.00

Category 2

Less than or equal to 2.25 to 1.00

     2.75     3.75

For purposes of the foregoing, each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Secured Leverage Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the Business Day following the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) of the consolidated financial statements and related Compliance Certificate indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Rate, at the option of the Administrative Agent or the Majority in Interest of the Revolving Lenders, shall be based on the rates per annum set forth in Category 1 (i) at any time that an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a) has occurred and is continuing and shall continue to so apply to but excluding the date on which such Event of Default shall cease to be continuing (and thereafter, the Category otherwise determined in accordance with this definition shall apply) or (ii) if Holdings and the Parent Borrower fail to deliver the consolidated financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) or any Compliance Certificate required to be delivered pursuant hereto, in each case within the time periods specified herein for such delivery, during the period commencing on and including the day of the occurrence of a Default resulting from such failure and until the delivery thereof.

 

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Approved Bank ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Permitted Investments”.

Approved Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any Person whose consent is required by Section 9.04), substantially in the form of Exhibit A or any other form reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent.

Auction Agent ” means (a) the Administrative Agent or (b) any other financial institution or advisor employed by a Borrower (whether or not an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) to act as an arranger in connection with any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii); provided that such Borrower shall not designate the Administrative Agent as the Auction Agent without the written consent of the Administrative Agent (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to agree to act as the Auction Agent).

Audited Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Target and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2008, August 28, 2009 and August 27, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows of the Target and its subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

Bail-In Action ” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation ” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board, (b) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers or board of directors of such Person, (c) in the case of any partnership, the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of such Person and (d) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing.

Board of Governors ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

Borrower ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment ” means the offer by a Borrower to make a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a specified discount to par pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers ” means the solicitation by a Borrower of offers for, and the corresponding acceptance by a Term Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a specified range at a discount to par pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers ” means the solicitation by a Borrower of offers for, and the subsequent acceptance, if any, by a Term Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a discount to par pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

 

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Borrowing ” means (a) Loans of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date in the same currency and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, or (b) a Swingline Loan.

Borrowing Minimum ” means (a) in the case of a Revolving Borrowing, $1,000,000 and (b) in the case of a Swingline Loan, $100,000.

Borrowing Multiple ” means (a) in the case of a Revolving Borrowing, $1,000,000 and (b) in the case of a Swingline Loan, $100,000.

Borrowing Request ” means a request by a Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.

Brazilian Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Parent Borrower organized or existing under the laws of Brazil.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

Capital Expenditures ” means, for any period, the additions to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries that are (or should be) set forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Parent Borrower for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Capital Lease Obligation ” means an obligation that is as a Capitalized Lease; and the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby at any time shall be the amount of the liability in respect thereof that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date.

Capitalized Leases ” means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date, recorded as capitalized leases.

Capitalized Software Expenditures ” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

Cash Management Obligations ” means obligations of Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds.

Casualty Event ” means any event that gives rise to the receipt by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards in respect of any equipment, fixed assets or real property (including any improvements thereon) to replace or repair such equipment, fixed assets or real property.

Change in Control ” means (a) the failure of Holdings prior to the IPO, or, after the IPO, the IPO Entity, directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries, to own all of the Equity Interest of the Parent Borrower, (b) prior to an IPO, the failure by the Permitted Holders to own, directly or indirectly through one or more holding company parents of Holdings, beneficially and of record, Equity Interests in Holdings representing at least a majority of the aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors of Holdings represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Holdings, unless the Permitted Holders otherwise have the right (pursuant to contract, proxy or otherwise), directly or indirectly, to designate or appoint (and do so designate or appoint) a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings, (c) after an IPO, the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly,

 

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beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the Effective Date), other than the Permitted Holders, of Equity Interests representing 40% or more of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in the IPO Entity and the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power so held is greater than the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the Equity Interests in the IPO Entity held by the Permitted Holders, (d) (i) if the IPO Entity is organized in the United States, at any time, and (ii) otherwise, prior to the IPO, the occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the Board of Directors of Holdings by Persons who were neither (i) nominated, designated or approved by the Board of Directors of Holdings or the Permitted Holders nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated, designated or approved or (e) the occurrence of a “Change of Control” (or similar event, however denominated), as defined in the documentation governing any Material Indebtedness.

Change in Law ” means: (a) the adoption of any rule, regulation, treaty or other law after the Effective Date, (b) any change in any rule, regulation, treaty or other law or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Effective Date or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Effective Date; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) any request, rules, guidelines or directives under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or issued in connection therewith and (ii) any requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank of International Settlements, the Basel Committee or Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case shall be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, to the extent enacted, adopted, promulgated or issued after the Effective Date.

Class ” when used in reference to (a) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Other Revolving Loans, Term Loans, Other Term Loans or Swingline Loans, (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Commitment, Other Revolving Commitment, Term Commitment or Other Term Commitment and (c) any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment with respect to a particular Class of Loans or Commitments. Other Term Commitments, Other Term Loans and Other Revolving Commitments (and the Other Revolving Loans made pursuant thereto) that have different terms and conditions shall be construed to be in different Classes.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Collateral ” means any and all assets, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, on which Liens are purported to be granted pursuant to the Security Documents as security for the Secured Obligations.

Collateral Agent ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Collateral Agreement.

Collateral Agreement ” means the Collateral Agreement among the Co-Borrower, each other Domestic Subsidiary that is a Loan Party and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit E .

Collateral and Guarantee Requirement ” means, at any time, the requirement that:

(a) the Administrative Agent shall have received from (i) Holdings, the Borrowers and each Subsidiary Loan Party either (x) a counterpart of the Guarantee Agreement duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person or (y) in the case of any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the Effective Date (including by ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary), a supplement to the Guarantee Agreement, in the form specified therein, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person (ii) Holdings and each Domestic Subsidiary Loan Party either (x) a counterpart of the Collateral Agreement duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person or (y) in the case of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party after the Effective Date (including by ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary), a supplement to the Collateral Agreement, in the form specified therein, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person and (iii) each Foreign Subsidiary that is a Loan Party either (x) counterparts to one or more Foreign Collateral Agreements or Foreign Pledge Agreements or (y) in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary Loan Party that becomes such after the Effective Date, either counterparts to a new supplements to existing Foreign Collateral Agreements or Foreign Pledge Agreements, in each case that the Administrative Agent

 

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determines, based on advice of counsel, to be reasonably necessary in order for the Secured Obligations to be secured by all or substantially all tangible and intangible assets of such Foreign Subsidiary (including Mortgaged Properties, accounts receivable, moveable assets (including inventory and equipment), contract rights, intellectual property and other general intangibles and proceeds of the foregoing, but excluding Equity Interests other than Equity Interests required to be pledged pursuant to clause (b) below) in which a security interest may be obtained under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Foreign Subsidiary, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person, in each case under this clause (a) together with, in the case of any such Loan Documents executed and delivered after the Effective Date, documents and opinions of the type referred to in Sections 4.01(b) and 4.01(c));

(b) all outstanding Equity Interests of each Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Equity Interests constituting Excluded Assets) owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party, shall have been pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, a Foreign Collateral Agreement or a Foreign Pledge Agreement, and the Administrative Agent shall have received certificates or other instruments representing all such Equity Interests (if any), together with undated stock powers or other instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

(c) if any Indebtedness for borrowed money (including in respect of cash management arrangements) of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or more is owing by such obligor to any Loan Party, such Indebtedness shall be evidenced by a promissory note that shall have been pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, or a Foreign Collateral Agreement, as applicable, and the Administrative Agent shall have received all such promissory notes, together with undated instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

(d) all certificates, agreements, documents and instruments, including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, required by the Security Documents, Requirements of Law and reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, delivered, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by the Security Documents and perfect such Liens to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, the Security Documents and the other provisions of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”, shall have been filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Administrative Agent for filing, registration or recording; and

(e) the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) counterparts of a Mortgage with respect to each Mortgaged Property duly executed and delivered by the record owner of such Mortgaged Property, (ii) to the extent applicable in the relevant jurisdiction (w) a policy or policies of title insurance in the amount equal to not less than 100% (or such lesser amount as reasonably agreed to by the Administrative Agent) of the fair market value of such Mortgaged Property and fixtures, as reasonably determined by the Parent Borrower and agreed to by the Administrative Agent, issued by a nationally recognized title insurance company reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent insuring the Lien of each such Mortgage as a first priority Lien on the Mortgaged Property described therein, free of any other Liens except as expressly permitted by Section 6.02, together with such endorsements (other than a creditor’s rights endorsement), coinsurance and reinsurance as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to the extent available in the applicable jurisdiction at commercially reasonable rates, (x) such affidavits, instruments of indemnification (including a so-called “gap” indemnification) as are customarily requested by the title company to induce the title company to issue the title policy/ies and endorsements contemplated above, (y) evidence reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent of payment by the Parent Borrower of all title policy premiums, search and examination charges, escrow charges and related charges, mortgage recording taxes, fees, charges, costs and expenses required for the recording of the Mortgages and issuance of the title policies referred to above, (z) a completed “Life-of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each Mortgaged Property subject to the applicable FEMA rules and regulations (together with a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the Parent Borrower and each Loan Party relating thereto), (iii) if any Mortgaged Property is located in an area determined by FEMA to have special flood hazards, evidence of such flood insurance as may be required under applicable law, including Regulation H of the Board of Governors and the other Flood Insurance Laws and as required under Section 5.07, and (iv) such legal opinions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request with respect to any such Mortgage or Mortgaged Property.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition or anything in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, (a) the foregoing provisions of this definition shall not require the creation or perfection of pledges of or security interests in, or the obtaining of title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables with respect to, particular assets of the Loan Parties, or the provision of Guarantees by any Subsidiary, if, and for so long as and to the extent that the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower reasonably agree in writing that the cost of creating or perfecting such pledges or security interests in such assets, or obtaining such title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables in respect of such assets, or providing such Guarantees (taking into account any material adverse Tax consequences to Holdings and its Affiliates (including the imposition of withholding or other material Taxes)), shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom, (b) Liens required to be granted from time to time pursuant to the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” shall be subject to exceptions and limitations set forth in the Security Documents as in effect on the Effective Date, (c) in no event shall control agreements or other control or similar arrangements be required with respect to deposit accounts, securities accounts, letter of credit rights or other assets requiring perfection by control (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, possession) and (d) in no event shall the Collateral include any Excluded Assets. The Administrative Agent may grant extensions of time for the creation and perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables with respect to particular assets or the provision of any Guarantee by any Subsidiary (including extensions beyond the Effective Date or in connection with assets acquired, or Subsidiaries formed or acquired, after the Effective Date) where it determines that such action cannot be accomplished without undue effort or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required to be accomplished by this Agreement or the Security Documents.

Commitment ” means (a) with respect to any Lender, its Revolving Commitment, Other Revolving Commitment of any Class, Term Commitment, Other Term Commitment of any Class or any combination thereof (as the context requires) and (b) with respect to any Swingline Lender, its Swingline Commitment.

Compliance Certificate ” means a Compliance Certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01.

Consolidated EBITDA ” means for any period, the Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus :

(a) without duplication and to the extent already deducted (and not added back) in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(i) total interest expense and, to the extent not reflected in such total interest expense, any losses on hedging obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk and any losses on the sale or receivables and related assets pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Factoring, net of interest income and gains on such hedging obligations or such derivative instruments, and bank and letter of credit fees and costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities,

(ii) provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including federal, foreign and state income, franchise, and similar taxes based on income, profits or capital paid or accrued during such period (including in respect of repatriated funds),

(iii) depreciation and amortization (including amortization of Capitalized Software Expenditures and amortization of deferred financing fees or costs),

(iv) Non-Cash Charges,

 

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(v) extraordinary losses in accordance with GAAP,

(vi) non-recurring charges (including any unusual or non-recurring operating expenses directly attributable to the implementation of cost savings initiatives), severance, relocation costs, integration and facilities’ opening costs and other business optimization expenses, signing costs, retention or completion bonuses, transition costs, costs related to closure/consolidation of facilities and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans (including any settlement of pension liabilities); provided that the amount included in Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (vi) shall not exceed $10,000,000 in any Test Period and a maximum of $40,000,000 prior to the Latest Maturity Date, in each case, in the aggregate,

(vii) restructuring charges, accruals or reserves (including restructuring costs related to acquisitions after the Effective Date and adjustments to existing reserves); provided that the aggregate amount included in Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (vii) for any of the first four Test Periods after the Effective Date shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA for any such Test Period (calculated prior to giving effect to any adjustment pursuant to this clause (vii)) and any Test Period thereafter shall not exceed 5% of Consolidated EBITDA for such Test Period (calculated prior to giving effect to any adjustment pursuant to this clause (vii)),

(viii) the amount of any non-controlling interest consisting of subsidiary income attributable to non-controlling interests of third parties in any non-wholly-owned subsidiary deducted (and not added back in such period to Consolidated Net Income) excluding cash distributions in respect thereof,

(ix) (A) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees, indemnities and related expenses paid or accrued in such period to (or on behalf of) the Sponsor (including any termination fees payable in connection with the early termination of management and monitoring agreements) and (B) the amount of expenses relating to payments made to option holders of Holdings or any of its direct or indirect parent companies in connection with, or as a result of, any distribution being made to shareholders of such person or its direct or indirect parent companies, which payments are being made to compensate such option holders as though they were shareholders at the time of, and entitled to share in, such distribution, in each case to the extent permitted in the Loan Documents,

(x) losses on asset sales, disposals or abandonments (other than asset sales, disposals or abandonments in the ordinary course of business),

(xi) the amount of any net losses from discontinued operations in accordance with GAAP,

(xii) any non-cash loss attributable to the mark to market movement in the valuation of hedging obligations (to the extent the cash impact resulting from such loss has not been realized) or other derivative instruments pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Codification No. 815-Derivatives and Hedging,

(xiii) any loss relating to amounts paid in cash prior to the stated settlement date of any hedging obligation that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income for such period, and

(xiv) any gain relating to hedging obligations associated with transactions realized in the current period that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income in prior periods and excluded from Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clauses (d)(v) and (d)(vi) below;

plus

 

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(b) without duplication, the amount of additional “run rate” cost savings projected by the Parent Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions initiated on or prior to the date that is 12 months after the Effective Date (including actions initiated prior to the Effective Date) (which cost savings shall be added to Consolidated EBITDA until fully realized and calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of the relevant period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized from such actions; provided that (A) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and quantifiable, (B) no cost savings shall be added pursuant to this clause (b) to the extent duplicative of any expenses or charges relating to such cost savings that are included in clauses (a)(vi) and (a)(vii) above or in the definition of the term “Pro Forma Adjustment” (it being understood and agreed that “run rate” shall mean the full recurring benefit that is associated with any action taken) and (C) the aggregate amount of cost savings added pursuant to this clause shall not exceed an amount equal to 15% of Consolidated EBITDA for any Test Period;

(c) without duplication, the amount of discretionary research and development costs incurred by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries which are identified in good faith by the Parent Borrower to have been incurred specifically for the purposes of qualifying for a reduced tax rate or other tax incentive in Brazil and that were not required to support the Parent Borrower’s ongoing research and development activities; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of such costs added pursuant to this clause shall not exceed $15,000,000 in any Test Period and (ii) if the aggregate amount of such costs added pursuant to this clause with respect to any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower exceeds the tax benefit actually derived therefrom calculated by the Parent Borrower in good faith based on its annual tax returns, the amount of any such excess shall reduce Consolidated EBITDA in the fiscal quarter in which such annual tax returns are filed or, if earlier, in the fiscal quarter in which such excess is determined;

less

(d) without duplication and to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(i) extraordinary gains and unusual or non-recurring gains,

(ii) non-cash gains (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDA in any prior period),

(iii) gains on asset sales, disposals or abandonments (other than asset sales, disposals or abandonments in the ordinary course of business),

(iv) the amount of any net income from discontinued operations in accordance with GAAP,

(v) any non-cash gain attributable to the mark to market movement in the valuation of hedging obligations (to the extent the cash impact resulting from such gain has not been realized) or other derivative instruments pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Codification No. 815-Derivatives and Hedging,

(vi) any gain relating to amounts received in cash prior to the stated settlement date of any hedging obligation that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income in the such period,

(vii) any loss relating to hedging obligations associated with transactions realized in the current period that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income in prior periods and excluded from Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clauses (a)(xiii) and (a)(xiv) above, and

 

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(viii) the amount of any non-controlling interest consisting of subsidiary loss attributable to non-controlling interests of third parties in any non-wholly-owned subsidiary added (and not deducted in such period to Consolidated Net Income);

in each case, as determined on a consolidated basis for the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP; provided that, to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income,

(I) there shall be excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of indebtedness (including the net loss or gain resulting from hedging agreements for currency exchange risk and revaluations of intercompany balances),

(II) there shall be excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period any adjustments resulting from the application of Financial Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Codification No. 815-Derivatives and Hedging,

(III) there shall be included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period, without duplication, (A) the Acquired EBITDA of any person, property, business or asset acquired by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) whether such acquisition occurred before or after the Effective Date to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (but not including the Acquired EBITDA of any related person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired) (each such person, property, business or asset acquired, including pursuant to the Transactions or pursuant to a transaction consummated prior to the Effective Date, and not subsequently so disposed of, an “ Acquired Entity or Business ”), and the Acquired EBITDA of any Unrestricted Subsidiary that is converted into a Restricted Subsidiary during such period (each, a “ Converted Restricted Subsidiary ”), in each case based on the Acquired EBITDA of such Pro Forma Entity for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis and (B) an adjustment in respect of each Pro Forma Entity equal to the amount of the Pro Forma Adjustment with respect to such Pro Forma Entity for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) as specified in a Pro Forma Adjustment certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent (for further delivery to the Lenders), and

(IV) there shall be (A) excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period the Disposed EBITDA of any person, property, business or asset (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified as discontinued operations by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (including, in any event, the Storage Business) (each such person, property, business or asset so sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified, a “ Sold Entity or Business ”), and the Disposed EBITDA of any Restricted Subsidiary that is converted into an Unrestricted Subsidiary during such period (each, a “ Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary ”), in each case based on the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such sale, transfer, disposition, closure, classification or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis and (B) included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period in which a Sold Entity or Business is disposed, an adjustment equal to the Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment with respect to such Sold Entity or Business (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such disposal) as specified in the Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent (for further delivery to the Lenders).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for all purposes of this Agreement, Consolidated EBITDA shall be deemed to equal (a) $33,444,000 for the fiscal quarter ended November 26, 2010, (b) $18,288,000 for the fiscal quarter ended February 25, 2011 and (c) $21,199,000 for the fiscal quarter ended May 27, 2011.

 

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Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net income (loss) of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, excluding, without duplication, (a) extraordinary items for such period, (b) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, (c) Transaction Costs, (d) any fees and expenses (including any transaction or retention bonus) incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, asset disposition, issuance or repayment of debt, issuance of equity securities, refinancing transaction or amendment or other modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Effective Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed and all fees and expenses incurred during such period in connection with the performance of Section 5.17) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, (e) any income (loss) for such period attributable to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, hedging agreements or other derivative instruments, (f) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted as a result of the Transactions in accordance with GAAP (including any adjustment of estimated payouts on existing earn-outs) or changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period, (g) stock-based award compensation expenses, (h) any income (loss) attributable to deferred compensation plans or trusts and (i) any income (loss) from investments recorded using the equity method. There shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income for any period the effects from applying acquisition method accounting, including applying acquisition method accounting to inventory, property and equipment, leases, software and other intangible assets and deferred revenue (including deferred costs related thereto and deferred rent) required or permitted by GAAP and related authoritative pronouncements (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries), as a result of the Transactions, any acquisition consummated prior to the Effective Date and any permitted acquisitions or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof.

In addition, to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received or due from business interruption insurance or reimbursement of expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification and other reimbursement provisions in connection with any acquisition or other Investment or any disposition of any asset permitted hereunder.

Consolidated Secured Debt ” means Consolidated Total Debt that is secured by a Lien on the Collateral.

Consolidated Secured Net Debt ” means Consolidated Total Net Debt that is secured by a Lien on the Collateral.

Consolidated Total Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (but excluding the effects of any discounting of indebtedness resulting from the application of acquisition method accounting in connection with the Transactions or any permitted acquisition) consisting only of indebtedness for borrowed money, unreimbursed obligations under letters of credit, obligations in respect of Capitalized Leases and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes or similar instruments.

Consolidated Total Net Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, (a) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (but excluding the effects of any discounting of indebtedness resulting from the application of acquisition method accounting in connection with the Transactions or any permitted acquisition) consisting only of indebtedness for borrowed money, unreimbursed obligations under letters of credit, obligations in respect of Capitalized Leases and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes or similar instruments, minus (b) the aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents (for the avoidance of doubt, as of the last day of the applicable Test Period) to the extent the use thereof for the application to payment of indebtedness is not prohibited by law or any contract to which the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or otherwise listed as “restricted” on the Parent Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet; provided that, in no event, shall the amount deducted pursuant to this clause (b) be more than $75,000,000.

 

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Consolidated Working Capital ” means, at any date, the excess of (a) the sum of all amounts (other than cash and Permitted Investments) that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date, excluding the current portion of current and deferred income taxes over (b) the sum of all amounts that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current liabilities” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on such date, including deferred revenue but excluding, without duplication, (i) the current portion of any Funded Debt, (ii) all Indebtedness consisting of Loans and obligations under Letters of Credit to the extent otherwise included therein, (iii) the current portion of interest and (iv) the current portion of current and deferred income taxes; provided that, for purposes of calculating Excess Cash Flow, increases or decreases in working capital (A) arising from acquisitions or dispositions by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be measured from the date on which such acquisition or disposition occurred until the first anniversary of such acquisition or disposition with respect to the Person subject to such acquisition or disposition and (B) shall exclude (I) the impact of non-cash adjustments contemplated in the Excess Cash Flow calculation, (II) the impact of adjusting items in the definition of “Consolidated Net Income”, (III) any changes in current assets or current liabilities as a result of (y) any reclassification in accordance with GAAP of assets or liabilities, as applicable, between current and noncurrent or (z) the effects of acquisition method accounting; and (IV) the impact of any Permitted Receivables Factoring to the extent the cash proceeds of such Permitted Receivables Factoring do not result in an equivalent decrease in Excess Cash Flow.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies, or the dismissal or appointment of the management, of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

Converted Restricted Subsidiary ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”

Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”

Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness ” means(a) Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt, (b) Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt, (c) Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt or (d) Indebtedness incurred or Other Revolving Commitments obtained pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, in each case, issued, incurred or otherwise obtained (including by means of the extension or renewal of existing Indebtedness) in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace or refinance, in whole or part, existing Term Loans, outstanding Revolving Loans or (in the case of Other Revolving Commitments obtained pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment) Revolving Commitments hereunder (including any successive Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness) (“ Refinanced Debt ”); provided that (i) such extending, renewing or refinancing Indebtedness (including, if such Indebtedness includes any Other Revolving Commitments, the unused portion of such Other Revolving Commitments) is in an original aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt (and, in the case of Refinanced Debt consisting, in whole or in part, of unused Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments, the amount thereof plus the amount of all accrued and unpaid interest, reasonable fees and premiums thereon and fees and expenses in connection therewith), (ii) such Indebtedness does not mature earlier than and, except in the case of Other Revolving Commitments, a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Refinanced Debt, and (iii) such Refinanced Debt shall be repaid, defeased or satisfied and discharged, and all accrued interest, fees and premiums (if any) in connection therewith shall be paid, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained; provided that to the extent that such Refinanced Debt consists, in whole or in part, of Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments (or Revolving Loans, Other Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans incurred pursuant to any Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments), such Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments, as applicable, shall be terminated, and all accrued fees in connection therewith shall be paid, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained.

 

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Cure Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.02(a).

Cure Right ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.02(a).

Default ” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that has (a) failed to fund any portion of its Loans or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans within one Business Day of the date on which such funding is required hereunder, (b) notified the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement or provided any written notification to any Person to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent (whether acting on its own behalf or at the reasonable request of the Parent Borrower (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall comply with any such reasonable request)), to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, (d) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute or subsequently cured, or (e) (i) become or is insolvent or has a parent company that has become or is insolvent, (ii) become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or any action or proceeding of the type described in Sections 7.01(h) or (i), or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian, appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action.

Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure ” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the Issuing Bank, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding Letter of Credit obligations other than Letter of Credit obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or cash collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swingline Loans other than Swingline Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or cash collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.

Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Discount Range ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11 (a)(ii)(C).

Discount Range Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Discount Range Prepayment Notice ” means a written notice of a Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) substantially in the form of Exhibit M .

Discount Range Prepayment Offer ” means the irrevocable written offer by a Term Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit N , submitted in response to an invitation to submit offers following the Auction Agent’s receipt of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice.

Discount Range Prepayment Response Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

 

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Discount Range Proration ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Discounted Prepayment Determination Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Discounted Prepayment Effective Date ” means, in the case of a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment or Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offer, five (5) Business Days following the receipt by each relevant Term Lender of notice from the Auction Agent in accordance with Section 2.1l(a)(ii)(B), Section 2.1l(a)(ii)(C) or Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D), as applicable unless a shorter period is agreed to between a Borrower and the Auction Agent.

Discounted Term Loan Prepayment ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(A).

Disposition ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.05.

Disqualified Equity Interest ” means, with respect to any Person, any Equity Interest in such Person that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable, either mandatorily or at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event or condition:

(a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests), whether pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

(b) is convertible or exchangeable, either mandatorily or at the option of the holder thereof, for Indebtedness or Equity Interests (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests); or

(c) is redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests) or is required to be repurchased by such Person or any of its Affiliates, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder thereof;

in each case, on or prior to the date 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date; provided , however , that (i) an Equity Interest in any Person that would not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest but for terms thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to redeem or purchase such Equity Interest upon the occurrence of an “asset sale” or a “change of control” shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest if any such requirement becomes operative only after repayment in full of all the Loans and all other Loan Document Obligations that are accrued and payable, the cancellation or expiration of all Letters of Credit and the termination of the Commitments and (ii) if an Equity Interest in any Person is issued pursuant to any plan for the benefit of employees of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any of its subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Equity Interest shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest solely because it may be required to be repurchased by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof) or any of its subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations of such Person.

Disposed EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary for any period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary (determined as if references to the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the definition of the term “Consolidated EBITDA” (and in the component financial definitions used therein) were references to such Sold Entity or Business and its subsidiaries or to Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary and its subsidiaries), all as determined on a consolidated basis for such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary.

dollars ” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

 

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Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

ECF Percentage ” means, with respect to the prepayment required by Section 2.11(d) with respect to any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, if the Secured Leverage Ratio (prior to giving effect to the applicable prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11(d)) as of the end of such fiscal year is (a) greater than 2.00 to 1.00, 75% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year, (b) greater than 1.50 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00, 50% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year (c) greater than 1.00 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00, 25% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year and (d) less than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00, 0% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year.

EEA Financial Institution ” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent;

EEA Member Country ” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority ” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Effective Dat e” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 were satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02), which date was August 26, 2011.

Eligible Assignee ” means (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c) an Approved Fund and (d) any other Person (including the Parent Borrower or any of its Affiliates), other than, in each case, (i) a natural person, (ii) a Defaulting Lender and (iii) those Persons identified by Holdings to the Joint Bookrunners prior to the Effective Date in writing (including by email) and acknowledged by the Joint Bookrunners as ineligible to be an Eligible Assignee.

EMU Legislation ” means the legislative measures of the European Council for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single or unified European currency.

Environmental Laws ” means the common law and all applicable treaties, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, judgments, orders, decrees and other applicable Requirements of Law, and all applicable injunctions or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority, in each instance relating to the protection of the environment, to preservation or reclamation of natural resources, to Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or to the extent relating to exposure to Hazardous Materials, to health or safety matters.

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, obligation, loss, claim, action, order or cost, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of medical monitoring, costs of environmental remediation or restoration, administrative oversight costs, consultants’ fees, fines, penalties and indemnities), of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law or permit, license or approval issued thereunder, (b) Environmental Laws and the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

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Equity Financing ” means the contribution by the Sponsor and the Management Investors, directly or indirectly through one or more direct or indirect holding company parents of Holdings, of cash equity contributions to Holdings on the Effective Date in exchange for Qualified Equity Interests that are treated as equity by S&P and Moody’s.

Equity Interests ” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with Holdings, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

ERISA Event ” means (a) any “reportable event,” as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30 day notice period is waived); (b) prior to the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, the existence with respect to any Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) or, on and after the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, in each case whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to, prior to the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA or, on and after the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA, of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) on and after the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at-risk” status (as defined in Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA or Section 430(i)(4) of the Code); (e) the incurrence by the Parent Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (f) the receipt by the Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (g) the incurrence by the Parent Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (h) the receipt by the Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or, on and after the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, in endangered or critical status, within the meaning of Section 305 of ERISA.

euro ” means the single currency of the European Union as constituted by the Treaty on European Union and as referred to in the EMU Legislation.

“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Eurocurrency ” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

Event of Defaul t” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.

Excess Cash Balance ” means, for any period, the excess (if any) of (a) the aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents on the Parent Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet on the final day of such period less (b) $25,000,000; provided that for purposes of calculating the Excess Cash Balance payable with respect to the fiscal quarters ending November 25, 2016 and February 24, 2017 the amount described in clause (b) shall be deemed to be the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) such amount as is required to be in compliance, after giving Pro Forma Effect to any prepayments of Excess Cash Balance pursuant to Section 2.11(h), with Section 6.12(a) for the applicable Test Period (assuming for purposes of such calculation that Revolving Loans are outstanding in an aggregate principal amount equal to the total Revolving Commitments at such time (in addition to, but without duplication of, Revolving Loans actually outstanding at such time)).

 

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Excess Cash Flow ” means, for any period, an amount equal to the excess of:

(a) the sum, without duplication, of:

(i) Consolidated Net Income for such period,

(ii) an amount equal to the amount of all Non-Cash Charges to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income,

(iii) decreases in Consolidated Working Capital and long-term account receivables for such period,

(iv) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash loss on dispositions by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, and

(v) extraordinary gains; less :

(b) the sum, without duplication, of:

(i) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash credits included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income (including any amounts included in Consolidated Net Income pursuant to the last sentence of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income” to the extent such amounts are due but not received during such period) and cash charges included in clauses (a) through (i) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income” (other than cash charges in respect of Transaction Costs paid on or about the Effective Date to the extent financed with the proceeds of Indebtedness incurred on the Effective Date or an equity investment on the Effective Date),

(ii) without duplication of amounts deducted pursuant to clause (xi) below in prior fiscal years, the amount of Capital Expenditures made in cash or accrued during such period, except to the extent that such Capital Expenditures were financed with the proceeds of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(iii) the aggregate amount of all principal payments of Indebtedness, including (A) the principal component of payments in respect of Capitalized Leases and (B) the amount of any mandatory prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(c) to the extent required due to a disposition that resulted in an increase to Consolidated Net Income and not in excess of the amount of such increase but excluding (X) below par purchases of Term Loans by either Borrower, (Y) all other prepayments of Term Loans and (Z) all prepayments of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans) made during such period (other than in respect of any revolving credit facility to the extent there is an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder), except to the extent financed with the proceeds of other Indebtedness of a Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(iv) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash gain on dispositions by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income,

(v) increases in Consolidated Working Capital and long-term account receivables for such period,

 

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(vi) cash payments by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of long-term liabilities of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries other than Indebtedness,

(vii) without duplication of amounts deducted pursuant to clause (xi) below in prior fiscal years, the amount of Investments and acquisitions made during such period pursuant to Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(a)) to the extent that such Investments and acquisitions were financed with internally generated cash flow of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(viii) the amount of Restricted Payments paid during such period pursuant to Section 6.08(a)(vi) to the extent such Restricted Payments were financed with internally generated cash flow of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and without duplication of amounts deducted when calculating Consolidated Net Income for such period,

(ix) the aggregate amount of expenditures actually made by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in cash during such period (including expenditures for the payment of financing fees) to the extent that such expenditures are not expensed during such period,

(x) the aggregate amount of any premium, make-whole or penalty payments actually paid in cash by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that are required to be made in connection with any prepayment of Indebtedness,

(xi) without duplication of amounts deducted from Excess Cash Flow in prior periods, the aggregate consideration required to be paid in cash by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to binding contracts (the “ Contract Consideration ”) entered into prior to or during such period relating to Investments or Capital Expenditures (including Capitalized Software Expenditures or other purchases of intellectual property) to be consummated or made during the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Parent Borrower following the end of such period; provided that to the extent the aggregate amount of internally generated cash actually utilized to finance such Investments or Capital Expenditures during such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters is less than the Contract Consideration, the amount of such shortfall shall be added to the calculation of Excess Cash Flow at the end of such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters,

(xii) the amount of cash taxes paid in such period to the extent they exceed the amount of tax expense deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, and

(xiii) extraordinary losses.

 

Exchange Act ” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

Excluded Assets ” means (a) any fee-owned real property with a fair market value of less than $5,000,000 and all leasehold interests in real property, (b) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title or ownership, (c) Equity Interests in any Person (other than any wholly-owned   Restricted Subsidiaries) to the extent not permitted by the terms of such Person’s Organizational Documents, (d) letter of credit rights with a value of less than $5,000,000 (except to the extent a security interest therein can be perfected by a UCC filing), (e) commercial tort claims with a value of less than $5,000,000 (except to the extent a security interest therein can be perfected by a UCC filing), (f) any lease, license or other agreement with any Person if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations constitutes a breach of or a default under, or results in the termination of, such lease, license or other agreement (but only to the extent any of the foregoing is not rendered ineffective by, or is otherwise unenforceable under, any Requirements of Law), (g) any asset subject to a Lien of the type permitted by Section 6.02(iv) under the Original Credit Agreement (whether or not incurred pursuant to such Section) or a Lien permitted by Section 6.02(xi) under the Original Credit Agreement, in each case

 

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if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations constitutes a breach of or a default under any agreement pursuant to which such Lien has been created (but only to the extent any of the foregoing is not rendered ineffective by, or is otherwise unenforceable under, any Requirements of Law), (h) any intent-to-use trademark applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, (i) any asset with respect to which the Parent Borrower shall have provided to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that, based on the advice of outside counsel or tax advisors of national recognition, the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations would result in adverse tax consequences to Holdings and the Subsidiaries (other than on account of any Taxes payable in connection with filings, recordings, registrations, stampings and any similar acts in connection with the creation or perfection of Liens) that shall have been determined by the Parent Borrower to be material to the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and (j) any asset if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations is prohibited by any Requirements of Law (other than to the extent that any such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to any other applicable Requirements of Law).

Excluded Subsidiary ” means (a) any Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent Borrower on the Effective Date or, if later, the date it first becomes a Subsidiary, (b) each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.01(a) , (c) any Subsidiary that is prohibited by applicable Law or contractual obligation from guaranteeing the Secured Obligations, (d) any Subsidiary, substantially all of the assets of which constitute Equity Interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Code and (e) any other Subsidiary excused from becoming a Loan Party pursuant to the last paragraph of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Foreign Subsidiary of the Co-Borrower that is a “controlled foreign corporation” with the meaning of Section 957 of the Code); provided that in no event shall the Co-Borrower be an Excluded Subsidiary.

Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (a) Taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income, profits or branch profits (however denominated), and franchise Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), by (i) the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, or (ii) any jurisdiction as a result of a present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than a connection arising solely from such recipient having executed, delivered, or become a party to, performed its obligations or received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, sold or assigned of an interest in, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Documents), (b) any withholding Tax that is attributable to a Lender’s failure to comply with Sections 2.17(e), (c) except in the case of an assignee pursuant to a request by a Borrower under Section 2.19 hereto, any U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed due to a Requirement of Law in effect at the time a Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts with respect to such withholding Tax under Section 2.17(a) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed pursuant to FATCA.

Existing LCs ” means the outstanding letters of credit existing as of the Effective Date and listed on Schedule 1.01(b) .

FATCA ” means current Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as in effect on the Effective Date (and any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder or official interpretations thereof).

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it; provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate is less than zero, then the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Financial Officer ” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Parent Borrower.

Financial Performance Covenant ” means the covenant set forth in Section 6.12(a).

Financing Transactions ” means (a) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is to be a party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, and (b) the Equity Financing.

First Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” means the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G among the Administrative Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt, with such modifications thereto as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree.

First Refinancing Amendment ” means the First Refinancing Amendment to this Agreement dated as of August 20, 2014, among Holdings, the Borrowers, the New Revolving Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

First Refinancing Amendment Effective Date ” has the meaning assigned thereto in the First Refinancing Amendment.

Foreign Collateral Agreement ” means one or more security documents among the applicable Non US Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent granting a Lien on the assets of such Non US Loan Parties to secure the Secured Obligations. Each Foreign Collateral Agreement shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower.

Foreign Pledge Agreement ” means a pledge or charge agreement with respect to the Collateral that constitutes Equity Interests of a Foreign Subsidiary or, if the holder of such Collateral is a Foreign Subsidiary, constitutes Equity Interests of a Domestic Subsidiary. Each Foreign Pledge Agreement shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower.

Foreign Prepayment Event ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(g).

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

Fourth Amendment ” means that certain Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Effective Date, among Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

Funded Debt ” means all Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for borrowed money that matures more than one year from the date of its creation or matures within one year from such date that is renewable or extendable, at the option of such Person, to a date more than one year from such date or arises under a revolving credit or similar agreement that obligates the lender or lenders to extend credit during a period of more than one year from such date, including Indebtedness in respect of the Loans.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect on the Effective Date; provided , however , that if the Parent Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Parent Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Parent Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or

 

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such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Codification 825, “Financial Instruments,” or any successor thereto (including pursuant to the Accounting Standards Codification), to value any Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any subsidiary at “fair value,” as defined therein.

Governmental Approvals ” means all authorizations, consents, approvals, permits, licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and reports to, Governmental Authorities.

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Granting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(e).

Guarantee ” of or by any Person (the “ guarantor ”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Effective Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

Guarantee Agreement ” means the Master Guarantee Agreement among the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit B .

Hazardous Materials ” means all explosive, radioactive, hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum by-products or distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated as hazardous or toxic, or any other term of similar import, pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Holdings ” means (a) prior to any IPO, Initial Holdings and (b) on and after an IPO, (i) if the IPO Entity is Initial Holdings or any Person of which Initial Holdings is a Subsidiary, Initial Holdings or (ii) if the IPO Entity is a Subsidiary of Initial Holdings, the IPO Entity.

Identified Participating Lenders ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Identified Qualifying Lenders ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations off such Person in respect

 

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of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances; provided that the term “Indebtedness” shall not include (i) deferred or prepaid revenue and (ii) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the seller. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (e) above shall (unless such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person) be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (A) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (B) the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith.

Indemnified Taxes ” means all Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b).

Information Memorandum ” means the Confidential Information Memorandum dated June 2011, relating to the Loan Parties and the Transactions.

Initial Holdings ” means SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.

Intellectual Property ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Interest Election Request ” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing or Term Loan Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07.

Interest Payment Dat e” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (including a Swingline Loan), the last day of each February, May, August and November and (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter (or, if agreed to by each Lender participating therein, nine or twelve months or such other period less than one month thereafter as such Borrower may elect), provided that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, and (b) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Intermediate Parent ” means any Subsidiary of Holdings of which each of the Parent Borrower and the Co-Borrower are Subsidiaries.

 

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Investment ” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests or debt or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person (excluding, in the case of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, intercompany loans, advances, or Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business) or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another Person or assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person. The amount, as of any date of determination, of (a) any Investment in the form of a loan or an advance shall be the principal amount thereof outstanding on such date, minus any cash payments actually received by such investor representing interest in respect of such Investment (to the extent any such payment to be deducted does not exceed the remaining principal amount of such Investment), but without any adjustment for write-downs or write-offs (including as a result of forgiveness of any portion thereof) with respect to such loan or advance after the date thereof, (b) any Investment in the form of a Guarantee shall be equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof, as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer, (c) any Investment in the form of a transfer of Equity Interests or other non-cash property by the investor to the investee, including any such transfer in the form of a capital contribution, shall be the fair market value (as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer) of such Equity Interests or other property as of the time of the transfer, minus any payments actually received by such investor representing a return of capital of, or dividends or other distributions in respect of, such Investment (to the extent such payments do not exceed, in the aggregate, the original amount of such Investment), but without any other adjustment for increases or decreases in value of, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to, such Investment after the date of such Investment, and (c) any Investment (other than any Investment referred to in clause (a), (b) or (c) above) by the specified Person in the form of a purchase or other acquisition for value of any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities of any other Person shall be the original cost of such Investment (including any Indebtedness assumed in connection therewith), plus (i) the cost of all additions thereto and minus (ii) the amount of any portion of such Investment that has been repaid to the investor in cash as a repayment of principal or a return of capital, and of any cash payments actually received by such investor representing interest, dividends or other distributions in respect of such Investment (to the extent the amounts referred to in clause (ii) do not, in the aggregate, exceed the original cost of such Investment plus the costs of additions thereto), but without any other adjustment for increases or decreases in value of, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to, such Investment after the date of such Investment. For purposes of Section 6.04, if an Investment involves the acquisition of more than one Person, the amount of such Investment shall be allocated among the acquired Persons in accordance with GAAP; provided that pending the final determination of the amounts to be so allocated in accordance with GAAP, such allocation shall be as reasonably determined by a Financial Officer.

Investor ” means a holder of Equity Interests in Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof).

Investor Management Agreement ” means the Transaction and Management Fee Agreement among certain Investors and/or management companies associated with certain Investors and Saleen Acquisition, Inc.

Investor Termination Fees ” means the one-time payment under the Investor Management Agreement of a success fee to one or more of the Investors and their respective Affiliates in the event of either a change of control or the completion of an IPO.

IPO ” means the initial underwritten public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) of common Equity Interests in the IPO Entity.

IPO Entity ” means, at any time at and after an IPO, Initial Holdings, a parent entity of Initial Holdings, or an Intermediate Parent, as the case may be, the Equity Interests of which were issued or otherwise sold pursuant to the IPO; provided that, immediately following the IPO, the Parent Borrower is a wholly-owned subsidiaries of such IPO Entity and such IPO Entity owns, directly or through its subsidiaries, substantially all the businesses and assets owned or conducted, directly or indirectly, by the Parent Borrower immediately prior to the IPO.

 

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Issuing Bank ” means (a) Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., (b) Barclays Bank PLC, and (c) each Revolving Lender that shall have become an Issuing Bank hereunder as provided in Section 2.05(k) (other than any Person that shall have ceased to be an Issuing Bank as provided in Section 2.05(l)), each in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder. Each Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate. Barclays Bank PLC as Issuing Bank shall not be obligated to issue any commercial or trade Letters of Credit.

Joint Bookrunners ” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and UBS Securities LLC.

Joint Lead Arrangers ” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and UBS Securities LLC.

Judgment Currency ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.14(b).

Junior Financing ” means any Material Indebtedness (other than any permitted intercompany Indebtedness owing to Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary), including Permitted Holdings Debt, that is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations, and any Permitted Refinancing in respect of any of the foregoing.

Latest Maturity Date ” means, at any date of determination, the latest maturity or expiration date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at such time, including the latest maturity or expiration date of any Other Term Loan, any Other Term Commitment, any Other Revolving Loan or any Other Revolving Commitment, in each case as extended in accordance with this Agreement from time to time.

LC Disbursement ” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

LC Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of all Letters of Credit that remains available for drawing at such time and (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of such Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the International Standby Practices (ISP98), such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided , that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

Lenders ” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or a Refinancing Amendment, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lenders.

Letter of Credit ” means any letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to this Agreement other than any such letter of credit or bank guarantee that shall have ceased to be a “Letter of Credit” outstanding hereunder pursuant to Section 9.05.

Letter of Credit Sublimit ” means $15,000,000.

 

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LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period by reference to the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in such currency (as reflected on the applicable Reuters screen), for a period equal to such Interest Period, or, if an interest rate is not ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average of the rates per annum at which deposits in such currency are offered for such Interest Period to major banks in the London interbank market by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing (i) with respect to Term Loans, the LIBO Rate in respect of any applicable Interest Period will be deemed to be 1.25% per annum if the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period calculated pursuant to the foregoing provisions would otherwise be less than 1.25% per annum and (ii) otherwise, the LIBO Rate in respect of any applicable Interest Period will be deemed to be 1.00% per annum if the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period determined pursuant to the foregoing provisions would otherwise be less than 1.00%.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

Liquidity Prepayment Condition ” means that the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries would have at least $40,000,000 in the aggregate of (x) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on hand and (y) unused and available Revolving Commitments (consistent with the calculation of such under Section 2.12(a)).

Loan Document Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, any Refinancing Amendment, the Guarantee Agreement, the Collateral Agreement, the other Security Documents, the Trust Agreement and, except for purposes of Section 9.02, any promissory notes delivered pursuant to Section 2.09(e).

Loan Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.

Loan Parties ” means Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

Loans ” means the loans made by the Lenders to any Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

Logistics Business ” means the Borrowers’ global supply chain services business which encompasses resources and information technology to provide customized customer programs including planning, forecasting, procurement, logistics, inventory management, programming, labeling, kitting, packaging and other value-added services.

Majority in Interest ”, when used in reference to Lenders of any Class, means, at any time, (a) in the case of the Revolving Lenders, Lenders having Revolving Exposures and unused Revolving Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the aggregate Revolving Exposures and the unused aggregate Revolving Commitments at such time and (b) in the case of the Term Lenders of any Class, Lenders holding outstanding Term Loans of such Class representing more than 50% of all Term Loans of such Class outstanding at such time; provided that (a) the Revolving Exposures, Term Loans and unused Commitments of the Borrowers or any Affiliate thereof and (b) whenever there are one or more Defaulting Lenders, the total outstanding Term Loans and Revolving Exposures of, and the unused Revolving Commitments of, each Defaulting Lender shall in each case be excluded for purposes of making a determination of the Majority in Interest.

Management Investors ” means the directors, officers and employees of the Target, Holdings, the Parent Borrower and/or any of their Subsidiaries who are (directly or indirectly through one or more investment vehicles) Investors in Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) on the Effective Date.

 

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Material Adverse Effect ” means any event, circumstance or condition that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a materially adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, results of operations, properties, or financial condition of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Parent Borrower and the other Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their payment obligations under the Loan Documents or (c) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Loan Documents.

Material Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness (other than the Loan Document Obligations), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $15,000,000; provided that for purposes of the definition of “Change of Control” and Junior Financing such amount shall be $50,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that Holdings, the Parent Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

Material Subsidiary ” means (a) each wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary that, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower most recently ended, had revenues or total assets for such quarter in excess of 5% of the consolidated revenues or total assets, as applicable, of the Parent Borrower for such quarter and (b) any group comprising wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries that each would not have been a Material Subsidiary under clause (i) but that, taken together, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower most recently ended, had revenues or total assets for such quarter in excess of 10% of the consolidated revenues or total assets, as applicable, of the Parent Borrower for such quarter; provided that solely for purposes of Sections 7.01(h) and (i) each such Subsidiary forming part of such group is subject to an Event of Default under one or more of such Sections.

Monetization ” means the receipt of Net Proceeds by the Target or any of its Affiliates (other than any of its Subsidiaries) from (a) the direct or indirect Disposition or other direct or indirect transfer of all or a portion of Storage Parent or its assets, (b) any direct or indirect dividend, distribution, payment of equity or repurchase of equity or other repayment of a return on investment in Storage Parent or its subsidiaries or (c) any other transaction the substantive effect of which is the same as transactions described in clauses (a) or (b). Any series of related transaction of the type referred to above shall be treated together as a single transaction for purposes of Section 5.15.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Mortgage ” means a mortgage, deed of trust, assignment of leases and rents, leasehold mortgage or other security document granting a Lien on any Mortgaged Property to secure the Secured Obligations, provided , however , in the event any Mortgaged Property is located in a jurisdiction which imposes mortgage recording taxes or similar fees, the applicable Mortgage shall not secure an amount in excess of 100% of the fair market value of such Mortgaged Property, as reasonably agreed by the Parent Borrower and agreed to by the Administrative Agent. Each Mortgage shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower with such modifications as may be required by local laws.

Mortgaged Property ” means each parcel of real property and the improvements thereon owned in fee by a Loan Party with respect to which a Mortgage is granted pursuant to Section 5.11 or 5.12.

Multiemployer Plan ” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Net Proceeds ” means, with respect to any event, (a) the proceeds received in respect of such event in cash or Permitted Investments, including (i) any cash or Permitted Investments received in respect of any non cash proceeds (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment or earn-out, but excluding any interest payments), but only as and when received, (ii) in the case of a casualty, insurance proceeds, and (iii) in the case of a condemnation

 

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or similar event, condemnation awards and similar payments, minus (b) the sum of (i) all fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid by Holdings, any Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such event (including attorney’s fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, underwriting discounts and commissions, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant, accountant and other customary fees), (ii) in the case of a sale, transfer or other disposition of an asset (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction or a casualty or a condemnation or similar proceeding), (x) the amount of all payments that are permitted hereunder and are made by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such event to repay Indebtedness (other than the Loans) secured by such asset or otherwise subject to mandatory prepayment as a result of such event, (y) the pro rata portion of net cash proceeds thereof (calculated without regard to this clause (y)) attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a result thereof and (z) the amount of any liabilities directly associated with such asset and retained by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) the amount of all Taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable), and the amount of any reserves established by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries to fund contingent liabilities reasonably estimated to be payable, that are directly attributable to such event, provided that any reduction at any time in the amount of any such reserves (other than as a result of payments made in respect thereof) shall be deemed to constitute the receipt by the Parent Borrower at such time of Net Proceeds in the amount of such reduction.

Non-Cash Charges ” means (a) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down related to intangible assets (including goodwill), long-lived assets, and investments in debt and equity securities pursuant to GAAP, (b) all losses from investments recorded using the equity method, (c) all Non-Cash Compensation Expenses, (d) the non-cash impact of acquisition method accounting, (e) non-cash impact of translation of U.S. dollars and (f) other non-cash charges ( provided , in each case, that if any non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period).

Non-Cash Compensation Expense ” means any non-cash expenses and costs that result from the issuance of stock-based awards, partnership interest-based awards and similar incentive based compensation awards or arrangements.

Non-Consenting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(c).

Offered Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Offered Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

OID ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt”.

Organizational Documents ” means, with respect to any Person, the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person.

Original Credit Agreement ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Other Revolving Commitments ” means one or more Classes of revolving credit commitments hereunder or extended Revolving Commitments that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Revolving Loans ” means the Revolving Loans made pursuant to any Other Revolving Commitment.

Other Taxes ” means any and all present or future recording, stamp, documentary, excise, transfer, sales, property or similar Taxes arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document.

 

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Other Term Commitments ” means one or more Classes of term loan commitments hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Term Loans ” means one or more Classes of Term Loans that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Participant ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

Participating Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Pension Act ” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended from time to time.

Perfection Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D .

Permitted Encumbrances ” means:

(a) Liens for taxes or other governmental charges that are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

(b) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or construction contractors’ Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business that secure amounts not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or, if more than 30 days overdue, are unified and no other action has been taken to enforce such Lien or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP, in each case so long as such Liens do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business (i) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation and (ii) securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(d) Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, governmental contracts and leases, statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations) incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(e) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, protrusions and other similar encumbrances and minor title defects affecting real property that, in the aggregate, do not in any case materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(f) Liens securing, or otherwise arising from, judgments not constituting an Event of Default under Section 7.01(j);

(g) Liens on goods the purchase price of which is financed by a documentary letter of credit issued for the account of the Parent Borrower or any of its subsidiaries, provided that such Lien secures only the obligations of the Parent Borrower or such subsidiaries in respect of such letter of credit to the extent such obligations are permitted by Section 6.01; and

 

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(h) Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or any similar filings made in respect of operating leases entered into by the Parent Borrower or any of its subsidiaries;

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness other than Liens referred to in clause (c) above securing obligations under letters of credit or bank guarantees and in clause (g) above.

Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt ” means any secured Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower in the form of one or more series of senior secured notes; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to the control of remedies but on no more than a “second-out” basis so long as the Revolving Commitments are outstanding) with the Loan Document Obligations and is not secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Term Loans (including portions of Classes of Term Loans, Other Term Loans) or outstanding Revolving Loans, (iii) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate (including whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind), rate floors, fees, funding discounts and redemption premium) of Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are, taken as a whole, less favorable to the investors providing such Indebtedness than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (except for covenants or other provisions applicable to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred), (iv) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or payments of principal prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (v) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Security Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (vi) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties and (vii) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt incurred by the Parent Borrower, then the Parent Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Senior Representatives for such indebtedness shall have executed and delivered the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor; provided further that in the case of Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt incurred in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace or refinance, a portion of existing Term Loans hereunder (including any successive Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness), the interest rate margins, rate floors, fees, premiums, funding, discounts and amortization schedule for any such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt shall be determined by the Borrowers and the applicable lenders with respect to the holders of such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt and in the event that the yield on any such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt is higher than the yield for the Term Loans by more than 50 basis points, then the yield for the Term Loans shall be increased to the extent necessary so that such yield is equal to the yield for such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt minus 50 basis points; provided , further, that, in determining the yield applicable to such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt and the Term Loans (x) original issue discount (“ OID ”) or upfront fees (which shall be deemed to constitute like amounts of OID) payable by the Borrowers to the Term Lenders or any Additional Lenders in the initial primary syndication thereof shall be included (with OlD being equated to interest based on assumed four-year life to maturity), (y) customary arrangement or commitment fees payable to any of the Joint Bookrunners (or their respective affiliates) in connection with this Agreement or to one or more arrangers (or their affiliates) of any Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt shall be excluded and (z) if such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt includes an interest rate floor greater than the interest rate floor applicable to the Term Loans, such increased amount shall be equated to interest margin for purposes of determining whether an increase to the applicable interest margin for the Term Loans shall be required, to the extent an increase in the interest rate floor in the Term Loans would cause an increase in the interest rate then in effect, and in such case the interest rate floor (but not the interest rate margin) applicable to the Term Loans shall be increased by such increased amount.

Permitted Holder ” means (a) the Sponsor and (b) the Management Investors.

 

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Permitted Investments ” means any of the following, to the extent owned by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary:

(a) dollars, euro or such other currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business; (b) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of (i) the United States or (ii) any member nation of the European Union rated A (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P and A2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, having average maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States or such member nation of the European Union is pledged in support thereof;

(b) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) is a Lender or (ii) has combined capital and surplus of at least $250,000,000 (any such bank in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) being an “ Approved Bank ”), in each case with average maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof;

(c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by an Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable or fixed rate note issued by, or guaranteed by, a corporation rated A-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, in each case with average maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof;

(d) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with an Approved Bank, a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or recognized securities dealer, in each case, having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of (i) the United States or (ii) any member nation of the European Union rated A (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P and A2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations;

(e) marketable short-term money market and similar highly liquid funds either (i) having assets in excess of $250,000,000 or (ii) having a rating of at least A-2 or P-2 from either S&P or Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating service);

(f) securities with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory having an investment grade rating from either S&P or Moody’s (or the equivalent thereof);

(g) investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in mutual funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s;

(h) instruments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above denominated in euros or any other foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to above and customarily used by corporations for cash management purposes in any jurisdiction outside the United States to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction; and

(i) investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in money market investment programs that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or that are administered by financial institutions having capital of at least $250,000,000, and, in either case, the portfolios of which are limited such that substantially all of such investments are of the character, quality and maturity described in clauses (a) through (i) of this definition.

 

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Permitted Receivables Factoring ” means any one or more transactions or programs (including any factoring program) for the transfer by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on customary market terms for similar transactions, without recourse (other than customary limited recourse) to the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to any buyer, purchaser or lender of interests in accounts receivable and customary related assets, so long as the aggregate outstanding Permitted Receivables Net Investment with respect thereto does not exceed $60,000,000 at any time (which shall decrease to $50,000,000 on the first anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date if the Term Loans are still outstanding as of such date).

Permitted Receivables Net Investment ” the aggregate cash amount paid by the purchasers under any Permitted Receivables Factoring in connection with their purchase of accounts receivable and customary related assets or interests therein, as the same may be reduced from time to time by collections with respect to such accounts receivable and related assets or otherwise in accordance with the terms of such Permitted Receivables Factoring (but excluding any such collections used to make payments of commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges incurred in connection with any Permitted Receivables Factoring which are payable to any person other than the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary).

Permitted Refinancing ” means, with respect to any Person, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Indebtedness of such Person; provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) thereof does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon plus other amounts paid, and fees and expenses incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, (b) Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension has a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (c) immediately after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (d) if the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations, Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, and (d) if the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(ii), (a)(xx), (a)(xxi) or (a)(xxii), (i) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate (including whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind) and redemption premium) of Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are not, taken as a whole, materially less favorable to the Loan Parties or the Lenders than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended; provided that a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five Business Days prior to such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such resulting Indebtedness or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Parent Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement, shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies the Parent Borrower within such five Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonable description of the basis upon which it disagrees), and (ii) the primary obligor in respect of, and the Persons (if any) that Guarantee, Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are the primary obligor in respect of, and Persons (if any) that Guaranteed, respectively, the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that a Permitted Refinancing may constitute a portion of an issuance of Indebtedness in excess of the amount of such Permitted Refinancing; provided that such excess amount is otherwise permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01.

 

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Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt ” means secured Indebtedness incurred by the Parent Borrower in the form of one or more series of second lien secured notes or second lien secured loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a second lien, subordinated basis to the Secured Obligations and the obligations in respect of any Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt and is not secured by any property or assets of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the Collateral; (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Term Loans (including portions of Classes of Term Loans or Other Term Loans) or outstanding Revolving Loans, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or payments of principal prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Security Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (v) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate (including whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind), rate floors, fees, funding discounts and redemption premium) of Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are, taken as a whole, less favorable to the investors providing such Indebtedness than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (except for covenants of other provisions applicable to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred), (vi) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties and (vii) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt incurred by the Parent Borrower, then the Parent Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Senior Representatives for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt ” means unsecured Indebtedness incurred by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party in the form of one or more series of senior unsecured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Term Loans (including portions of Classes of Term Loans or Other Term Loans) or outstanding Revolving Loans, (ii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or payments of principal prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate (including whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind), rate floors, fees, funding discounts and redemption premium) of Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are, taken as a whole, less favorable to investors providing such Indebtedness than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (except for covenants of other provisions applicable to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred), (v) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than Loan Parties, and (vi) such Indebtedness is not secured by any Lien on any property or assets of Holdings, Intermediate Parent, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary. Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Post-Transaction Period ” means, with respect to any Specified Transaction, the period beginning on the date such Specified Transaction is consummated and ending on the last day of the fourth full consecutive fiscal quarter immediately following the date on which such Specified Transaction is consummated.

 

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Prepayment Event ” means:

(a) any sale, transfer or other disposition (including (x) pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction, (y) by way of merger or consolidation and (z) any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of) of any property or asset of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted by Section 6.05(k) other than dispositions resulting in aggregate Net Proceeds not exceeding (A) $5,000,000 in the case of any single transaction or series of related transactions and (B) $10,000,000 for all such transactions during any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower;

(b) the incurrence by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 (other than Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt, Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt, Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt and Other Term Loans) or permitted by the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 9.02; or

(c) the issuance by any IPO Entity of its Equity Interests in an IPO.

Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent).

Principal Issuing Bank ” means, on any date, (a) the Issuing Bank, if there is only one Issuing Bank and (b) otherwise, (i) the Issuing Bank with the greatest LC Exposure on such date and (ii) each other Issuing Bank that has issued Letters of Credit that on such date have available for drawing thereunder (together with the aggregate unreimbursed LC Disbursement, thereunder on such date) of greater than $1,000,000.

Pro Forma Adjustment ” means, for any Test Period that includes all or any part of a fiscal quarter included in any Post-Transaction Period with respect to the Acquired EBITDA of the applicable Pro Forma Entity or the Consolidated EBITDA of the Parent Borrower, the pro forma increase or decrease in such Acquired EBITDA or such Consolidated EBITDA, as the case may be, projected by the Parent Borrower in good faith as a result of (a) actions taken, prior to or during such Post-Transaction Period, for the purposes of realizing reasonably identifiable and quantifiable cost savings, or (b) any additional costs incurred prior to or during such Post-Transaction Period in connection with the combination of the operations of such Pro Forma Entity with the operations of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that (A) so long as such actions are taken prior to or during such Post-Transaction Period or such costs are incurred prior to or during such Post-Transaction Period, it may be assumed, for purposes of projecting such pro forma increase or decrease to such Acquired EBITDA or such Consolidated EBITDA, as the case may be, that such cost savings will be realizable during the entirety of such Test Period, or such additional costs will be incurred during the entirety of such Test Period, (B) any such pro forma increase or decrease to such Acquired EBITDA or such Consolidated EBITDA, as the case may be, shall be without duplication for cost savings or additional costs already included in such Acquired EBITDA or such Consolidated EBITDA, as the case may be, for such test period and (C) the aggregate amount of costs savings increased pursuant to clause (a) shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA for any Test Period.

Pro Forma Basis ,” “ Pro Forma Compliance ” and “ Pro Forma Effect ” means, with respect to compliance with any test or covenant hereunder required by the terms of this Agreement to be made on a Pro Forma Basis, that (a) to the extent applicable, the Pro Forma Adjustment shall have been made and (b) all Specified Transactions and the following transactions in connection therewith shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the applicable period of measurement in such test or covenant: (i) income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property or Person subject to such Specified Transaction, (A) in the case of a Disposition of all or substantially all Equity Interests in any subsidiary of Holdings or any division, product line, or facility used for operations of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, shall be excluded, and (B) in the case of an Investment described in the definition of “Specified Transaction,” shall be included, (ii) any retirement of Indebtedness, and (iii) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection therewith and if such Indebtedness has a floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the rate that is or would be in effect with respect to such Indebtedness as at the relevant date of determination;

 

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provided that, without limiting the application of the Pro Forma Adjustment pursuant to clause (a) above, the foregoing pro forma adjustments may be applied to any such test or covenant solely to the extent that such adjustments are consistent with the definition of Consolidated EBITDA and give effect to operating expense reductions that are (i) (x) directly attributable to such transaction, (y) expected to have a continuing impact on Holdings, the Parent Borrower and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (z) factually supportable or (ii) otherwise consistent with the definition of Pro Forma Adjustment, provided , further , that (1) any determination of Pro Forma Compliance required at any time prior to November 26, 2011, shall be made assuming that compliance with Section 6.12 for the Test Period ending on November 26, 2011, is required with respect to the most recent Test Period prior to such time and (2) all pro forma adjustments made pursuant to this definition (including all Pro Forma Adjustments) with respect to the Transactions shall be consistent in character and amount with the adjustments reflected in the Pro Forma Financial Statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, clause (b) of Consolidated Total Net Debt shall not be decreased by the cash proceeds of any Indebtedness incurred for which Pro Forma Effect is being given.

Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment ” means, for any four-quarter period that includes all or a portion of a fiscal quarter included in any Post-Transaction Period with respect to any Sold Entity or Business, the pro forma increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA projected by the Parent Borrower in good faith as a result of contractual arrangements between the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary entered into with such Sold Entity or Business at the time of its disposal or within the Post Transaction Period and which represent an increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA which is incremental to the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business for the most recent four-quarter period prior to its disposal.

Pro Forma Financial Statements ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.04(c).

Proposed Change ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(c).

Qualified Equity Interests ” means Equity Interests of Holdings other than Disqualified Equity Interests.

Qualifying Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Quotation Day ” means, with respect to dollars or euro for any Interest Period, two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period unless market practice differs in the London interbank market for any such currency, in which case the Quotation Day for such currency shall be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with market practice in the London interbank market (and if quotations would normally be given by leading banks in the London interbank market on more than one day, the Quotation Day shall be the last of those days).

Refinanced Debt ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness.”

Refinancing Amendment ” means an amendment to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower executed by each of (a) the Borrowers and Holdings, (b) the Administrative Agent and (c) each Additional Lender and Lender that agrees to provide any portion of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness being incurred pursuant thereto, in accordance with Section 2.21.

Refinancing Transaction ” means the satisfaction and discharge of the Target’s floating rate notes due 2012.

Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Registered Equivalent Notes ” means, with respect to any notes originally issued in a Rule 144A or other private placement transaction under the Securities Act of 1933, substantially identical notes (having the same Guarantees) issued in a dollar-for-dollar exchange therefor pursuant to an exchange offer registered with the SEC.

 

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Related Parties ” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, trustees, agents, controlling persons, advisors and other representatives of such Person and of each of such Person’s Affiliates and permitted successors and assigns.

Release ” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) and including the environment within any building, or any occupied structure, facility or fixture.

Repricing Transaction ” means the prepayment or refinancing of all or a portion of the Term Loans with the incurrence by any Loan Party of any long-term bank debt financing incurred for the primary purpose of repaying, refinancing, substituting or replacing the Term Loans and having an effective interest cost or weighted average yield (as determined by the Administrative Agent consistent with generally accepted financial practice and, in any event, excluding any arrangement or commitment fees in connection therewith) that is less than the interest rate for or weighted average yield (as determined by the Administrative Agent on the same basis) of the Term Loans, including without limitation, as may be effected through any amendment to this Agreement relating to the interest rate for, or weighted average yield of, the Term Loans.

Required Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Exposures, Term Loans and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments) representing more than 66.66% of the aggregate Revolving Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments) at such time; provided that (a) the Revolving Exposures, Term Loans and unused Commitments of the Borrowers or any Affiliate thereof and (b) whenever there are one or more Defaulting Lenders, the total outstanding Term Loans and Revolving Exposures of, and the unused Revolving Commitments of, each Defaulting Lender shall in each case be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

Requirements of Law ” means, with respect to any Person, any statutes, laws, treaties, rules, regulations, orders, decrees, writs, injunctions or determinations of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Responsible Officer ” means the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer, or other similar officer, manager or a director of a Loan Party and with respect to certain limited liability companies or partnerships that do not have officers, any manager, sole member, managing member or general partner thereof, and as to any document delivered on the Effective Date or thereafter pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement,” any secretary or assistant secretary of a Loan Party. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

Restatement Effective Date ” means November 5, 2016.

Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any other Restricted Subsidiary or any Intermediate Parent, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests in Holdings, any Intermediate Parent the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

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Revolving Availability Period ” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments.

Revolving Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum possible aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to (i) assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or (ii) a Refinancing Amendment. The initial amount of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 , or in the Assignment and Assumption or Refinancing Amendment pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment, as the case may be. The initial amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Commitments as of the Effective Date is $50,000,000 (the “ Initial Revolving Commitments ”).

Revolving Exposure ” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure at such time.

Revolving Lender ” means a Lender with a Revolving Commitment or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Exposure.

Revolving Loan ” means a Revolving Loan made pursuant to clause (b) of Section 2.01 and Other Revolving Loans (including a New Revolving Loan constituting Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness thereof made pursuant to, and as defined in, the First Refinancing Amendment).

Revolving Maturity Date ” means the earlier of (i) the Term Maturity Date (after taking into account any extensions of such date) and (ii) August 26, 2019.

Rolled Equity ” means the Equity Interests in Holdings (or a holding company parent thereof) issued to the Management Investors pursuant to the Equity Financing; provided that, after giving effect to the Transactions on the Effective Date, the Rolled Equity will represent no more than 10% of the equity capitalization of Holdings (or such holding company parent) excluding any portion of the Equity Financing contributed to Storage Parent.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” means the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H among the Administrative Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt, with such modifications thereto as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree.

Secured Leverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Secured Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period as of such date.

Secured Net Leverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Secured Net Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period as of such date.

Secured Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Security Documents ” means the Collateral Agreement, the Foreign Collateral Agreements, the Foreign Pledge Agreements, the Mortgages and each other security agreement or pledge agreement executed and delivered pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, Section 5.11, 5.12 or Section 5.14 to secure any of the Secured Obligations.

 

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Senior Representative ” means, with respect to any series of Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt or Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under the indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained, as the case may be, and each of their successors in such capacities.

Silver Lake Debt Fund ” means Silver Lake Credit Fund, L.P. and any other successor or similar debt investment fund managed by Silver Lake Financial Management Company, L.L.C.

Solicited Discount Proration ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice ” means an irrevocable written notice of a Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) substantially in the form of Exhibit O .

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer ” means the irrevocable written offer by each Term Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit P , submitted following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice.

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Specified Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Specified Discount Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Specified Discount Prepayment Notice ” means an irrevocable written notice of a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment made pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B) substantially in the form of Exhibit K .

Specified Discount Prepayment Response ” means the irrevocable written response by each Term Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit L , to a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice.

Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Specified Discount Proration ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Specified Representations ” means the following: (a) the representations made by the Target in the Acquisition Agreement as are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that Holdings has the right to terminate its obligations under the Acquisition Agreement as a result of a breach of such representations in the Acquisition Agreement, and (b) the representations set forth in (i) Section 3.01, Section 3.02 (with respect to authorization, execution, delivery and performance and enforceability of the Loan Documents), Section 3.08, Section 3.15 and Section 3.16 and (ii) Section 3.02 of the Collateral Agreement.

Specified Transaction ” means, with respect to any period, any investment, sale, transfer or other disposition of assets, incurrence or repayment of indebtedness, restricted payment, subsidiary designation or other event that by the terms of the Loan Documents requires “Pro Forma Compliance” with a test or covenant hereunder or requires such test or covenant to be calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis.”

 

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Sponsor ” means Silver Lake Partners and its Affiliates.

SPV ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(e).

Statutory Reserve Rate ” means, with respect to any currency, a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve, liquid asset or similar percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by any Governmental Authority of the United States or of the jurisdiction of such currency or any jurisdiction in which Loans in such currency are made to which banks in such jurisdiction are subject for any category of deposits or liabilities customarily used to fund loans in such currency or by reference to which interest rates applicable to Loans in such currency are determined. Such reserve, liquid asset or similar percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to Regulation D of the Board of Governors, and if any Lender is required to comply with the requirements of The Bank of England and/or the Financial Services Authority (or any authority that replaces any of the functions thereof) or the requirements of the European Central Bank. Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to be subject to such reserve, liquid asset or similar requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under Regulation D or any other applicable law, rule or regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

Storage Business ” means the Target’s business unit that designs, manufactures and distributes high performance solid state drives.

Storage Investment ” means Investments in Storage Parent or any of its subsidiaries (including indirectly by means of a Restricted Payment to Target) by Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $30,000,000 at any time.

Storage Parent ” means SMART Modular Technologies (Global Storage Holdings), Inc.

Submitted Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Submitted Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means any Junior Financing other than any Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Indebtedness.

subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Parent Borrower.

Subsidiary Loan Party ” means each other Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower (other than the Co- Borrower) that is a party to the Guarantee Agreement.

Successor Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03(a)(iv).

Successor Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03(a)(v).

 

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Swap Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement or contract involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or the other Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

Swingline Commitment ” means the commitment of each Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans.

Swingline Exposure ” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time.

Swingline Lender ” means (a) Barclays Bank PLC, in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder and (b) each Revolving Lender that shall have become a Swingline Lender hereunder as provided in Section 2.04(d) (other than any Person that shall have ceased to be a Swingline Lender as provided in Section 2.04(e)), each in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

Swingline Loan ” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.04.

Swingline Sublimit ” means $10,000,000.

Target ” means SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as Smart Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company.

Target Material Adverse Effect ” means any change, effect, event or occurrence that (A) has a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition or results of operations of the Target and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or (B) prevents or materially delays the Target from performing its obligations under the Acquisition Agreement in any material respect; provided , however , that no change, effect, event or occurrence to the extent arising or resulting from any of the following, either alone or in combination, shall constitute or be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Target Material Adverse Effect: (i) (A) general economic, financial, political, capital market, credit market, or financial market conditions or (B) general conditions affecting any of the industries in which the Target and its subsidiaries operate; (ii) Changes in Law or changes in GAAP or accounting standards, in either case, occurring after April 26, 2011; (iii) any natural disasters, pandemics or acts of war (whether or not declared), sabotage or terrorism, or an escalation or worsening thereof; (iv) the entry into, announcement or performance of the Acquisition Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including compliance with the covenants set forth herein (other than Section 5.1(a) of the Acquisition Agreement), and the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, distributors, partners, employees or regulators, or any shareholder litigation arising from allegations of breach of fiduciary duty relating to the Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement, except that this clause (iv) shall not apply with respect to the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.4 of the Acquisition Agreement (v) any changes in the price or trading volume of the Common Stock (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement) ( provided that the underlying change, effect, event or occurrence that caused or contributed to such change in market price or trading volume shall not be excluded); (vi) any failure by the Target to meet projections or forecasts provided that the underlying change, effect, event or occurrence that caused or contributed to such failure to meet projections or forecasts shall not be excluded); and (vii) any change or prospective change in the Target’s credit rating ( provided that the underlying change, effect, event or occurrence that caused or contributed to such change or prospective change in the Target’s credit rating shall not be excluded); provided , further , however , that the change, effect, event or occurrence referred to in the preceding clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) shall be excluded pursuant to such clause only to the extent such change, effect, event or occurrence does not adversely affect the Target and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, disproportionately to other companies operating in the industries in which the Target and its subsidiaries compete (in which case the incremental disproportionate impact or impacts may be taken into account in determining whether there has been, or is reasonably likely to be, a Target Material Adverse Effect).

 

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Taxes ” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.

Term Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make a Term Loan hereunder on the Effective Date, expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal amount of the Term Loan to be made by such Lender hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. The initial amount of each Lender’s Term Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Term Commitment, as the case may be.

Term Lender ” means a Lender with a Term Commitment or an outstanding Term Loan.

Term Loan Standstill Period ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01(d).

Term Loans ” means Loans made pursuant to clause (a) of Section 2.01.

Term Maturity Date ” means August 26, 2019.

Test Period ” means, at any date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Parent Borrower then last ended.

Total Leverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period as of such date.

Transaction Costs ” means all fees, costs and expense incurred or payable by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions.

Transactions ” means (a) the Financing Transactions, (b) the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Documents, (c) the Refinancing Transactions and (d) the payment of the Transaction Costs.

Trust Agreement ” means any English law trust agreement to be entered into in connection with a Foreign Collateral Agreement, between, inter alia, the Administrative Agent and the relevant Loan Parties.

Type ” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

UCC ” or “ Uniform Commercial Code ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided , however , that, at any time, if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in any item or portion of the Pledged Collateral (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a U.S. jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect, at such time, in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions relating to such provisions.

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary (other than the Co-Borrower) designated by the Parent Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 5.16 subsequent to the Effective Date.

 

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USA Patriot Act ” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended from time to time.

Warrants ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.24(a).

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

wholly-owned subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person at any date, a subsidiary of such Person of which securities or other ownership interests representing 100% of the Equity Interests (other than (a) directors’ qualifying shares and (b) nominal shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Requirements of Law) are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held by such Person or one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of such Person.

Withdrawal Liability ” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings . For purposes of this Agreement, Loans and Borrowings may be classified and referred to by Class ( e.g ., a “ Revolving Loan ”) or by Type ( e.g ., a “ Eurocurrency Loan ”) or by Class and Type ( e.g. , a “ Eurocurrency Revolving Loan ”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class ( e,g. , a “ Revolving Borrowing ”) or by Type ( e.g., a “ Eurocurrency Borrowing ”) or by Class and Type ( e.g. , a “ Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing ”).

SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement (including this Agreement and the other Loan Documents), instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignment set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (c) the words “herein,” “hereof’ and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time.

 

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SECTION 1.05. Effectuation of Transactions . All references herein to Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be references to such Persons, and all the representations and warranties of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the other Loan Parties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be deemed made, in each case, after giving effect to the Acquisition and the other Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, unless the context otherwise requires.

SECTION 1.06. Currency Translation . Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of any determination under Article V, Article VI (other than Section 6.12) or Article VII or any determination under any other provision of this Agreement expressly requiring the use of a current exchange rate, all amounts incurred, outstanding or proposed to be incurred or outstanding in currencies other than dollars shall be translated into dollars at currency exchange rates in effect on the date of such determination; provided , however , that for purposes of determining compliance with Article VI with respect to the amount of any Indebtedness, Investment, Disposition or Restricted Payment in a currency other than dollars, no Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred solely as a result of changes in rates of exchange occurring after the time such Indebtedness or Investment is incurred or Disposition or Restricted Payment made; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.06 shall otherwise apply to such Sections, including with respect to determining whether any Indebtedness or Investment may be incurred or Disposition or Restricted Payment made at any time under such Sections. For purposes of Section 6.12 and Section 4.02, amounts in currencies other than dollars shall be translated into dollars at the currency exchange rates used in preparing the most recently delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b).

SECTION 1.07. Effect of this Agreement on the Original Credit Agreement and the Other Existing Loan Documents . This Agreement shall be binding on the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders and the other parties hereto and the Original Credit Agreement and the provisions thereof shall be replaced in their entirety by this Agreement and the provisions hereof; provided that for the avoidance of doubt (a) the Obligations (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement) of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under the Original Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents that remain unpaid and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement shall continue to exist under and be evidenced by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) all Letters of Credit under and as defined in the Original Credit Agreement shall continue as Letters of Credit under this Agreement and (c) the Collateral and the Loan Documents shall continue to secure, guarantee, support and otherwise benefit the Obligations on the same terms as prior to the effectiveness hereof. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, each Loan Document (other than the Original Credit Agreement) that was in effect immediately prior to the date of this Agreement shall continue to be effective on its terms unless otherwise expressly stated herein. Except as provided herein or as restated in connection herewith, each of the Schedules and Exhibits to the Original Credit Agreement shall remain in effect and shall be Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

THE CREDITS

SECTION 2.01. Commitments . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (a) each Term Lender made a Term Loan to the Borrowers on the Effective Date (or increased the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans outstanding on the Restatement Effective Date in connection with the additional payment to the Term Lenders of $5,000,000 on the Restatement Effective Date pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2(b) of the Fourth Amendment) denominated in dollars in a principal amount not exceeding its Term Commitment and (b) each Revolving Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrowers denominated in dollars from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount which will not result in such Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided that no Revolving Loans shall be made on the Effective Date unless, after giving effect to the Transactions on the Effective Date, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries would have at least $75,000,000 of (x) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on hand and (y) unused Revolving Commitments (consistent with the calculation of such under Section 2.12(a)). Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans. Amounts repaid or prepaid in respect of Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

 

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SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings .

(a) Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder, provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and other than as expressly provided herein with respect to a Defaulting Lender, no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required hereby.

(b) Subject to Section 2.14, each Revolving Borrowing and Term Loan Borrowing denominated in dollars shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as a Borrower may request in accordance herewith; provided that all Borrowings made on the Effective Date must be made as ABR Borrowings unless such Borrower shall have given the notice required for a Eurocurrency Borrowing under Section 2.03 and provided an indemnity letter extending the benefits of Section 2.16 to Lenders in respect of such Borrowings. Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of such Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum; provided that a Eurocurrency Borrowing that results from a continuation of an outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to such outstanding Borrowing. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of 12 Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding.

SECTION 2.03. Requests for Borrowings . To request a Revolving Borrowing or Term Loan Borrowing, the applicable Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request in writing (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing (or, in the case of any Eurocurrency Borrowing to be made on the Effective Date, such shorter period of time as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11.00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(f) may be given not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such written Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be by hand delivery or facsimile or other electronic transmission to the Administrative Agent signed by the applicable Borrower. Each such written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information:

(i) whether the requested Borrowing is to be a Revolving Borrowing, a Term Loan Borrowing or a Borrowing of any other Class (specifying the Class thereof);

(ii) the aggregate amount of such Borrowing;

(iii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iv) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing (solely in the case of a Borrowing denominated in dollars) or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

(v) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”;

 

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(vi) the location and number of the such Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.06, or, in the case of any ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan requested to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(1), the identity of the Issuing Bank that made such LC Disbursement; and

(vii) that as of the date of such Borrowing, the conditions set forth in Sections 4.02(a) and 4.02(b) are satisfied.

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified as to any Borrowing, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing, then such Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the applicable Class of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

SECTION 2.04. Swingline Loans .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein (including Section 2.22), in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrowers from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period denominated in dollars in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) subject to Section 9.04(b)(ii), the Applicable Fronting Exposure of any Swingline Lender exceeding its Revolving Commitment, (ii) the aggregate Revolving Exposures exceeding the aggregate Revolving Commitments or (iii) the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans outstanding exceeding Swingline Sublimit; provided that the Swingline Lender shall be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.

(b) To request a Swingline Loan, the Parent Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender of such request (i) by telephone (confirmed in writing) or by facsimile (confirmed by telephone), not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, or, if agreed by the Swingline Lender, 2:00 p.m. New York City time on the day of such proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day), the amount of the requested Swingline Loan and (x) if the funds are not to be credited to a general deposit account of such Borrower maintained with the Swingline Lender because such Borrower is unable to maintain a general deposit account with the Swingline Lender under applicable Requirements of Law, the location and number of such Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with Section 2.06, or (y) in the case of any ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan requested to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f), the identity of the Issuing Bank that made such LC Disbursement. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to such Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit accounts of such Borrower maintained with the Swingline Lender for the Swingline Loan (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f), by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.

(c) The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Revolving Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Revolving Lender, specifying in such notice the Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Swingline Loans. Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Swingline Loans. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or any reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and

 

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that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders pursuant to this paragraph), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrowers (or other Person on behalf of the Borrowers) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted by the Swingline Lender to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, and thereafter to the Borrowers, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrowers for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrowers of any default in the payment thereof.

(d) The Parent Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, designate as additional Swingline Lenders one or more Revolving Lenders that agree to serve in such capacity as provided below. The acceptance by a Revolving Lender of an appointment as a Swingline Lender hereunder shall be evidenced by an agreement, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, executed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and such designated Swingline Lender, and, from and after the effective date of such agreement, (i) such Revolving Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement and (ii) references herein to the term “Swingline Lender” shall be deemed to include such Revolving Lender in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

(e) The Parent Borrower may terminate the appointment of any Swingline Lender as a “Swingline Lender” hereunder by providing a written notice thereof to such Swingline Lender, with a copy to the Administrative Agent. Any such termination shall become effective upon the earlier of (i) such Swingline Lender’s acknowledging receipt of such notice and (ii) the fifth Business Day following the date of the delivery thereof; provided that no such termination shall become effective until and unless the Swingline Exposure of such Swingline Lender shall have been reduced to zero. Notwithstanding the effectiveness of any such termination, the terminated Swingline Lender shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans made by it prior to such termination, but shall not make any additional Swingline Loans.

SECTION 2.05. Letters of Credit and Bank Guarantees .

(a) General . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein (including Section 2.22), each Issuing Bank agrees, in reliance upon agreement of the Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.05, to issue Letters of Credit denominated in dollars for its own account (or for the account of any other Subsidiary so long as a Borrower and such other Subsidiary are co-applicants in respect of such Letter of Credit), in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank, which shall reflect the standard operating procedures of such Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period and prior to the fifth Business Day prior to the Revolving Maturity Date. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit or bank guarantee application or other agreement submitted by the Parent Borrower to, or entered into by the Parent Borrower with, the applicable Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

(b) Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions . To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), a Borrower shall deliver in writing by hand delivery or facsimile (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the recipient) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (at least five

 

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Business Days before the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension or such shorter period as the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent may agree) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (d) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, such Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, (i) subject to Section 9.04(b)(ii), the Applicable Fronting Exposure of each Issuing Bank shall not exceed its Revolving Commitment, (ii) the aggregate Revolving Exposures shall not exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (iii) the aggregate LC Exposure shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. No Issuing Bank shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if (i) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall enjoin or restrain such Issuing Bank from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to such Issuing Bank any directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Bank shall prohibit the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such Issuing Bank with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon such Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which such Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it, (ii) except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the such Issuing Bank, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $100,000, in the case of a commercial Letter of Credit, or $500,000, in the case of a standby Letter of Credit or (iii) any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, if after giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv), any Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure remains outstanding, unless such Issuing Bank has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of cash collateral, reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank with such Borrower or such Lender to eliminate such Issuing Bank’s Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or such Letter of Credit and all other LC Exposure as to which such Issuing Bank has Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure.

(c) Notice . Each Issuing Bank agrees that it shall not permit any issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit to occur unless it shall have given to the Administrative Agent written notice thereof required under paragraph (m) of this Section.

(d) Expiration Date . Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date that is one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date; provided that if such expiry date is not a Business Day, such Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to close of business on the next succeeding Business Day; provided , however , that any Letter of Credit may, upon the request of a Borrower, include a provision whereby such Letter of Credit shall be renewed automatically for additional consecutive periods of one year or less (but not beyond the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date) unless the applicable Issuing Bank notifies the beneficiary thereof within the time period specified in such Letter of Credit or, if no such time period is specified, at least 30 days prior to the then-applicable expiration date, that such Letter of Credit will not be renewed.

(e) Participation . By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank that is the issuer thereof or the Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Issuing Bank, such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrowers on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section in the currency of such LC Disbursement, or of any reimbursement payment required

 

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to be refunded to the Borrowers for any reason. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or any reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(f) Reimbursement . If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrowers receive notice of such LC Disbursement; provided that, if such LC Disbursement is not less than $1,000,000, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.04 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or a Swingline Loan, in each case in an equivalent amount, and, to the extent so financed, the Borrowers’ obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If the Borrowers fail to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrowers in respect thereof and such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrowers, in dollars and in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders pursuant to this paragraph), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrowers pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Revolving Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse any Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

(g) Obligations Absolute . The Borrowers’, jointly and severally, obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section is absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by an Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrowers’ obligations hereunder. None of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or any of their Affiliates shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Banks; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrowers to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrowers that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of any Issuing Bank (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, nonappealable judgment), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to

 

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documents presented that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, an Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit, and any such acceptance or refusal shall be deemed not to constitute gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

(h) Disbursement Procedures . Each Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. Each Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower in writing by hand delivery or facsimile or other electronic transmission of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement in accordance with paragraph (f) of this Section.

(i) Interim Interest . If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrowers reimburse such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to in the case of an LC Disbursement denominated in dollars, ABR Revolving Loans; provided that, if the Borrowers fail to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment and shall be payable on demand or, if no demand has been made, on the date on which the Borrowers reimburse the applicable LC Disbursement in full.

(j) Cash Collateralization . If any Event of Default under paragraph (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Section 7.01 shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day on which the Parent Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing more than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure of all Revolving Lenders) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrowers shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders, an amount of cash in dollars equal to the portions of the LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit, as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrowers described in paragraph (h) or (i) of Section 7.01. The Borrowers also shall deposit cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph as and to the extent required by Section 2.11(b). Each such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, if any Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure remains outstanding (after giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv)), then promptly upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, the Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent cash collateral in an amount sufficient to cover such Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to any cash collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent in Permitted Investments and at the Borrowers risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Banks for LC Disbursements for which they have not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrowers for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing more than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure of all the Revolving Lenders), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents. If the

 

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Borrowers are required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default or the existence of a Defaulting Lender, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrowers within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived or after the termination of Defaulting Lender status, as applicable. If the Borrowers are required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.11(b), such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower as and to the extent that, after giving effect to such return, the Borrowers would remain in compliance with Section 2.11(b) and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(k) Designation of Additional Issuing Banks . The Parent Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, designate as additional Issuing Banks one or more Revolving Lenders that agree to serve in such capacity as provided below. The acceptance by a Revolving Lender of an appointment as an Issuing Bank hereunder shall be evidenced by an agreement, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, executed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and such designated Revolving Lender and, from and after the effective date of such agreement, (i) such Revolving Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to include such Revolving Lender in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.

(l) Termination of an Issuing Bank . The Parent Borrower may terminate the appointment of any Issuing Bank as an “Issuing Bank” hereunder by providing a written notice thereof to such Issuing Bank, with a copy to the Administrative Agent. Any such termination shall become effective upon the earlier of (i) such Issuing Bank’s acknowledging receipt of such notice and (ii) the fifth Business Day following the date of the delivery thereof; provided that no such termination shall become effective until and unless the LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (or its Affiliates) shall have been reduced to zero. At the time any such termination shall become effective, the Parent Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the terminated Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). Notwithstanding the effectiveness of any such termination, the terminated Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such termination, but shall not issue any additional Letters of Credit.

(m) Issuing Bank Reports to the Administrative Agent . Unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank shall, in addition to its notification obligations set forth elsewhere in this Section, report in writing to the Administrative Agent (i) periodic activity (for such period or recurrent periods as shall be requested by the Administrative Agent) in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, including all issuances, extensions, amendments and renewals, all expirations and cancellations and all disbursements and reimbursements, (ii) within five Business Days following the time that such Issuing Bank issues, amends, renews or extends any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, and the currency and face amount of the Letters of Credit issued, amended, renewed or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (and whether the amounts thereof shall have changed), (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any LC Disbursement, the date, currency and amount of such LC Disbursement, (iv) on any Business Day on which a Borrower fails to reimburse an LC Disbursement required to be reimbursed to such Issuing Bank on such day, the date of such failure and amount of such LC Disbursement and (v) on any other Business Day, such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request as to the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank.

(n) Existing LCs . The Existing LCs will be deemed to be Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement on the Effective Date.

SECTION 2.06. Funding of Borrowings .

(a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds in the applicable currency by 12:00 noon, New York City time, to the Applicable Account of the Administrative Agent most-recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.04. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrowers by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like

 

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funds, to an account of the Borrowers maintained with the Administrative Agent in New York City and designated by the Borrowers in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to Section 2.05(f) to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance on such assumption and in its sole discretion, make available to a Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such share on demand of the Administrative Agent. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon demand of the Administrative Agent therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Borrower, and the applicable Borrower agrees to pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand. The Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover from such Lender or applicable Borrower interest on such corresponding amount, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the applicable Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, if such Borrowing is denominated in dollars, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, the rate reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be its cost of funding such amount, or (ii) in the case of such Borrower, the interest rate applicable to such Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.13. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

(c) Obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Term Loans and Revolving Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 9.03(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 9.03(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 9.03(c).

SECTION 2.07. Interest Elections .

(a) Each Revolving Borrowing and Term Loan Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request or designated by Section 2.03 and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request or designated by Section 2.03. Thereafter, each Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. Each Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply to Swingline Loans, which may not be converted or continued.

(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the applicable Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election in writing by the time that a Revolving Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if such Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such written Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be by hand delivery, facsimile or other electronic transmission to the Administrative Agent signed by the applicable Borrower.

(c) Each written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.03:

 

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(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing (solely in the case of a Borrowing denominated in dollars) or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is to be a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the applicable Class of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e) If such Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies such Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing.

SECTION 2.08. Termination and Reduction of Commitments .

(a) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Maturity Date. The Term Commitments terminated upon the making of the Term Loans on the Effective Date.

(b) Each Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments of any Class; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000 and (ii) each Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, the aggregate Revolving Exposures would exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments.

(c) Each Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least one Business Day prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by such Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments delivered by such Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the receipt of the proceeds from the issuance of other Indebtedness or the occurrence of some other identifiable event or condition, in which case such notice may be revoked by such Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date of termination) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.

 

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SECTION 2.09. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

(a) Each Borrower, jointly and severally, hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan of such Lender on the Revolving Maturity Date, (ii) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Term Loan of such Lender as provided in Section 2.10 and (iii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan made by the Swingline Lender on the earlier to occur of (A) the date that is 10 Business Days after such Loan is made and (B) the Revolving Maturity Date; provided that on each date that a Revolving Borrowing in any currency is made, such Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans in such currency that were outstanding on the date such Borrowing was requested.

(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrowers to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the currency and amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein, provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrowers to pay any amounts due hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the entries made pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section, the accounts maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall control.

(e) Any Lender may request through the Administrative Agent that Loans of any Class made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrowers shall execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form provided by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Borrowers.

SECTION 2.10. Amortization of Term Loans .

(a) Subject to adjustment pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, the Borrowers shall repay Term Loan Borrowings on the last Friday of each February, May, August and November in an amount equal to $3,875,000, together in each case with accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be paid to but excluding the date of such payment; provided that if any such date is not a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next preceding Business Day.

(b) To the extent not previously paid, all Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Term Maturity Date.

(c) Any prepayment of a Term Loan Borrowing of any Class made after the Restatement Effective Date (i) pursuant to Section 2.1l(a)(i) shall be applied to reduce the subsequent scheduled and outstanding repayments of the Term Loan Borrowings of such Class to be made pursuant to this Section as directed by the Borrowers (and absent such direction in direct order of maturity) and (ii) pursuant to Section 2.11(c), 2.11(d) or 2.11 (h) shall be applied to reduce the subsequent scheduled and outstanding repayments of the Term Loan Borrowings of such Class to be made pursuant to this Section, or, except as otherwise provided in any Refinancing Amendment, pursuant to the corresponding section of such Refinancing Amendment, in reverse order of maturity.

 

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(d) Prior to any repayment of any Term Loan Borrowings of any Class hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings of the applicable Class to be repaid and shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing by hand delivery or facsimile or other electronic transmission of such election not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, two Business Day before the scheduled date of such repayment. In the absence of a designation by the Borrowers as described in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall make such designation in its reasonable discretion with a view, but no obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing under Section 2.16. Each repayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the repaid Borrowing. Repayments of Term Loan Borrowings shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount repaid.

SECTION 2.11. Prepayment of Loans .

(a) (i) The Borrowers shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to the requirements of this Section; provided that in the event that (A) on or prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, the Borrowers (x) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with a Change in Control or prepay Term Loans with the proceeds of Indebtedness, (y) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with any Repricing Transaction, or (z) effect any amendment of this Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the applicable Term Lender, (I) in the case of clause (A)(x), a prepayment premium of 3% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid, (II) in the case of clause (A)(y), a prepayment premium of 3% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid and (III) in the case of clause (A)(z), a payment equal to 3% of the aggregate amount of the applicable Term Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment; (B) at anytime after the first anniversary of the Effective Date and on or prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date, the Borrowers (x) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with a Change in Control or prepay Term Loans with the proceeds of Indebtedness, (y) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with any Repricing Transaction, or (z) effect any amendment of this Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the applicable Term Lender, (I) in the case of clause (B)(x), a prepayment premium of 2% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid, (II) in the case of clause (B)(y), a prepayment premium of 2% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid and (III) in the case of clause (B)(z), a payment equal to 2% of the aggregate amount of the applicable Term Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment; or (C) at anytime after the second anniversary of the Effective Date and on or prior to the third anniversary of the Effective Date, the Borrowers (x) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with a Change in Control or prepay Term Loans with the proceeds of Indebtedness, (y) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with any Repricing Transaction, or (z) effect any amendment of this Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the applicable Term Lender, (I) in the case of clause (C)(x), a prepayment premium of 1% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid, (II) in the case of clause (C)(y), a prepayment premium of 1% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid and (III) in the case of clause (C)(z), a payment equal to 1% of the aggregate amount of the applicable Term Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment;

(ii) Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a Borrower may prepay the outstanding Term Loans on the following basis:

(A) Each Borrower shall have the right to make a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a discount to par (such prepayment, the “ Discounted Term Loan Prepayment ”) pursuant to a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment, Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers or Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, in each case made in accordance with this Section 2.11(a)(ii); provided that (x) the Borrowers shall not make any Borrowing of Revolving Loans to fund any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and (y) the Borrowers shall not initiate any action under this Section 2.11 (a)(ii) in order to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment unless (I) at least ten (10) Business Days shall have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Term Loan Prepayment as a result of a prepayment made by the Borrowers on the applicable Discounted Prepayment Effective Date; or (II) at least three (3) Business Days shall have passed since the date the Parent Borrower was notified that no Term Lender was willing to accept any prepayment of any Term Loan and/or Other Term Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, the date of the Borrower’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

 

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(B) (1) Subject to the proviso to subsection (A) above, a Borrower may from time to time offer to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment by providing the Auction Agent with three (3) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such offer shall be made available, at the sole discretion of the Borrower, to each Term Lender and/or each Lender with respect to any Class of Term Loans on an individual tranche basis, (II) any such offer shall specify the aggregate principal amount offered to be prepaid (the “ Specified Discount Prepayment Amount ”) with respect to each applicable tranche, the tranche or tranches of Term Loans subject to such offer and the specific percentage discount to par (the “ Specified Discount ”) of such Term Loans to be prepaid (it being understood that different Specified Discounts and/or Specified Discount Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Term Loans and, in such an event, each such offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $1,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such offer shall remain outstanding through the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each relevant Term Lender with a copy of such Specified Discount Prepayment Notice and a form of the Specified Discount Prepayment Response to be completed and returned by each such Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Term Lenders (the “ Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date ”).

(2) Each relevant Term Lender receiving such offer shall notify the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date whether or not it agrees to accept a prepayment of any of its relevant then outstanding Term Loans at the Specified Discount and, if so (such accepting Term Lender, a “ Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender ”), the amount and the tranches of such Lender’s Term Loans to be prepaid at such offered discount. Each acceptance of a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment by a Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender shall be irrevocable. Any Term Lender whose Specified Discount Prepayment Response is not received by the Auction Agent by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept the applicable Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment.

(3) If there is at least one Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender, the Borrower will make prepayment of outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this paragraph (B) to each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender in accordance with the respective outstanding amount and tranches of Term Loans specified in such Lender’s Specified Discount Prepayment Response given pursuant to subsection (2); provided that, if the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans accepted for prepayment by all Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders exceeds the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount, such prepayment shall be made pro-rata among the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts accepted to be prepaid by each such Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Specified Discount Proration ”). The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within three (3) Business Days following the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date, notify (I) the Parent Borrower of the respective Term Lenders’ responses to such offer, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Term Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, and the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of Term Loans to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date and (III) each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender of the Specified Discount Proration, if any, and confirmation of the principal amount, tranche and Type of Loans of such Lender to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Parent Borrower shall be due and payable by the Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (F) below (subject to subsection (J) below).

 

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(C) (1) Subject to the proviso to subsection (A) above, a Borrower may from time to time solicit Discount Range Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with three (3) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of the Borrower, to each Term Lender and/or each Lender with respect to any Class of Loans on an individual tranche basis, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate principal amount of the relevant Term Loans (the “ Discount Range Prepayment Amount ”), the tranche or tranches of Term Loans subject to such offer and the maximum and minimum percentage discounts to par (the “ Discount Range ”) of the principal amount of such Term Loans with respect to each relevant tranche of Term Loans willing to be prepaid by a Borrower (it being understood that different Discount Ranges and/or Discount Range Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Term Loans and, in such an event, each such offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $1,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each relevant Term Lender with a copy of such Discount Range Prepayment Notice and a form of the Discount Range Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding relevant Term Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Term Lenders (the “ Discount Range Prepayment Response Date ”). Each relevant Term Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer shall be irrevocable and shall specify a discount to par within the Discount Range (the “ Submitted Discount ”) at which such Term Lender is willing to allow prepayment of any or all of its then outstanding Term Loans of the applicable tranche or tranches and the maximum aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender’s Term Loans (the “ Submitted Amount ”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Submitted Discount. Any Term Lender whose Discount Range Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment of any of its Term Loans at any discount to their par value within the Discount Range.

(2) The Auction Agent shall review all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received on or before the applicable Discount Range Prepayment Response Date and shall determine (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the Applicable Discount and Term Loans to be prepaid at such Applicable Discount in accordance with this subsection (C). The Borrowers agree to accept on the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, in the order from the Submitted Discount that is the largest discount to par to the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par, up to and including the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range (such Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range being referred to as the “ Applicable Discount ”) which yields a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment in an aggregate principal amount equal to the lower of (I) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount and (II) the sum of all Submitted Amounts. Each Lender that has submitted a Discount Range Prepayment Offer to accept prepayment at a discount to par that is larger than or equal to the Applicable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Term Loans equal to its Submitted Amount (subject to any required proration pursuant to the following subsection (3)) at the Applicable Discount (each such Lender, a “ Participating Lender ”).

(3) If there is at least one Participating Lender, the Borrower will prepay the respective outstanding Term Loans of each Participating Lender in the aggregate principal amount and of the tranches specified in such Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer at the Applicable Discount; provided that if the Submitted Amount by all Participating Lenders offered at a discount to par greater than the Applicable Discount exceeds the Discounted Range Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the relevant Term Loans for those Participating Lenders whose Submitted Discount is a discount to par greater than or equal to the Applicable Discount (the “ Identified Participating Lenders ”) shall be made pro-rata among the Identified Participating Lenders in accordance with the Submitted Amount of each such Identified Participating Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such

 

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proration (the “ Discount Range Proration ”). The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within five (5) Business Days following the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, notify (I) the Borrower of the respective Term Lenders’ responses to such solicitation, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Term Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount and tranches of Term Loans to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (III) each Participating Lender of the aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, and (z) if applicable, each Identified Participating Lender of the Discount Range Proration. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the applicable Borrower shall be due and payable by such Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (F) below (subject to subsection (J) below).

(D) (1) Subject to the proviso to subsection (A) above, the Borrowers may from time to time solicit Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with three (3) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of the Borrower, to each Term Lender and/or each Lender with respect to any Class of Term Loans on an individual tranche basis, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate dollar amount of the Term Loans (the “ Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount ”) and the tranche or tranches of Term Loans the applicable Borrower is willing to prepay at a discount (it being understood that different Solicited Discount Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Term Loans and, in such an event, each such offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $1,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such solicitation by such Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each relevant Term Lender with a copy of such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice and a form of the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding Term Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Term Lenders (the “ Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date ”). Each Term Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer shall (x) be irrevocable, (y) remain outstanding until the Acceptance Date, and (z) specify both a discount to par (the “ Offered Discount ”) at which such Term Lender is willing to allow prepayment of its then outstanding Term Loan and the maximum aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Term Loans (the “ Offered Amount ”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Offered Discount. Any Term Lender whose Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined prepayment of any of its Term Loans at any discount.

(2) The Auction Agent shall promptly provide the Parent Borrower with a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received on or before the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date. The Parent Borrower shall review all such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers and select the largest of the Offered Discounts specified by the relevant responding Term Lenders in the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers that is acceptable to the Borrower (the “ Acceptable Discount ”), if any. If the Parent Borrower elects to accept any Offered Discount as the Acceptable Discount, then as soon as practicable after the determination of the Acceptable Discount, but in no event later than by the third Business Day after the date of receipt by the Parent Borrower from the Auction Agent of a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers pursuant to the first sentence of this subsection (2) (the “ Acceptance Date ”), the Parent Borrower shall submit an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice to the Auction Agent setting forth the Acceptable Discount. If the Auction Agent shall fail to receive an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice from the Parent Borrower by the Acceptance Date, the Parent Borrower shall be deemed to have rejected all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

 

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(3) Based upon the Acceptable Discount and the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, within three (3) Business Days after receipt of an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice (the “ Discounted Prepayment Determination Date ”), the Auction Agent will determine (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of Term Loans (the “ Acceptable Prepayment Amount ”) to be prepaid by the Borrower at the Acceptable Discount in accordance with this Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D). If the Borrower elects to accept any Acceptable Discount, then the Borrower agrees to accept all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, in the order from largest Offered Discount to smallest Offered Discount, up to and including the Acceptable Discount. Each Lender that has submitted a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer with an Offered Discount that is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Term Loans equal to its Offered Amount (subject to any required pro-rata reduction pursuant to the following sentence) at the Acceptable Discount (each such Lender, a “ Qualifying Lender ”). The Borrower will prepay outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this subsection (D) to each Qualifying Lender in the aggregate principal amount and of the tranches specified in such Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer at the Acceptable Discount; provided that if the aggregate Offered Amount by all Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount exceeds the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the Term Loans for those Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount (the “ Identified Qualifying Lenders ”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Qualifying Lenders in accordance with the Offered Amount of each such Identified Qualifying Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with the Parent Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Solicited Discount Proration ”). On or prior to the Discounted Prepayment Determination Date, the Auction Agent shall promptly notify (I) the Parent Borrower of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and Acceptable Prepayment Amount comprising the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Term Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Acceptable Discount, and the Acceptable Prepayment Amount of all Term Loans and the tranches to be prepaid to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (III) each Qualifying Lender of the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Acceptable Discount on such date, and (IV) if applicable, each Identified Qualifying Lender of the Solicited Discount Proration. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to such Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to such Borrower shall be due and payable by such Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (F) below (subject to subsection (J) below).

(E) In connection with any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment, the Borrower and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Auction Agent may require as a condition to any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment, the payment of customary fees and expenses from the Borrower in connection therewith.

(F) If any Term Loan is prepaid in accordance with paragraphs (B) through (D) above, such Borrower shall prepay such Term Loans on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date. Such Borrower shall make such prepayment to the Auction Agent, for the account of the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in immediately available funds not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and all such prepayments shall be applied to the remaining principal installments of the relevant tranche of Term Loans on a pro rata basis across such installments. The Term Loans so prepaid shall be accompanied by all accrued and unpaid interest on the par principal amount so prepaid up to, but not including, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date. Each prepayment of the outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.11(a)(ii) shall be paid to the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable. The aggregate principal amount of the tranches and installments of the relevant Term Loans outstanding shall be deemed reduced by the full par value of the aggregate principal amount of the tranches of Term Loans prepaid on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment.

 

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(G) To the extent not expressly provided for herein, each Discounted Term Loan Prepayment shall be consummated pursuant to procedures consistent, with the provisions in this Section 2.11 (a)(ii), established by the Auction Agent acting in its reasonable discretion and as reasonably agreed by such Borrower.

(H) Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, for purposes of this Section 2.11(a)(ii), each notice or other communication required to be delivered or otherwise provided to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) shall be deemed to have been given upon Auction Agent’s (or its delegate’s) actual receipt during normal business hours of such notice or communication; provided that any notice or communication actually received outside of normal business hours shall be deemed to have been given as of the opening of business on the next Business Day.

(I) Each of the Borrowers and the Lenders acknowledges and agrees that the Auction Agent may perform any and all of its duties under this Section 2.11(a)(ii) by itself or through any Affiliate of the Auction Agent and expressly consents to any such delegation of duties by the Auction Agent to such Affiliate and the performance of such delegated duties by such Affiliate. The exculpatory provisions pursuant to this Agreement shall apply to each Affiliate of the Auction Agent and its respective activities in connection with any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment provided for in this Section 2.11(a)(ii) as well as activities of the Auction Agent.

(J) Each Borrower shall have the right, by written notice to the Auction Agent, to revoke in full (but not in part) its offer to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and rescind the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Notice, Discount Range Prepayment Notice or Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice therefor at its discretion at any time on or prior to the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date (and if such offer is revoked pursuant to the preceding clauses, any failure by such Borrower to make any prepayment to a Term Lender, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 2.11(a)(ii) shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 7.01 or otherwise).

(b) In the event and on each occasion that the aggregate Revolving Exposures exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Borrowers shall prepay Revolving Borrowings or Swingline Loans (or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding, deposit cash collateral in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.05(j)) in an aggregate amount necessary to eliminate such excess.

(c) In the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds are received by or on behalf of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Prepayment Event, the Parent Borrower shall, within three Business Days after such Net Proceeds are received (or, in the case of a Prepayment Event described in clause (b) or (c) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event”, on the date of such Prepayment Event), prepay Term Loan Borrowings in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the amount of such Net Proceeds; provided that, in the case of any event described in clause (a) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event” with respect to the Logistics Business, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may retain up to an aggregate of $40,000,000 of the Net Proceeds from such event (or a portion thereof) solely to the extent necessary to satisfy the Liquidity Prepayment Condition for a 60 day period following the receipt of such Net Proceeds as demonstrated by a written week by week forecast for such period provided to the Administrative Agent on or before receipt of such Net Proceeds; provided further that within 30 days after the end of such 60 day period, Parent Borrower will be required to prepay Term Loans with the aggregate amount of such Net Proceeds initially retained that is not necessary to allow the Parent Borrower to satisfy the Liquidity Prepayment Condition at the end of such 30 day period.

(d) Following the end of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, commencing with the fiscal year ending August 31, 2012, the Borrowers shall prepay Term Loan Borrowings in an aggregate amount equal to the ECF Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year; provided that such amount shall be reduced by the aggregate amount of prepayments of Term Loans (and, to the extent the Revolving Commitments are reduced in a corresponding amount pursuant to Section 2.08, Revolving Loans) made pursuant to Section 2.11 (a) or (h) during such fiscal year (excluding all such prepayments funded with the proceeds of other Indebtedness, the issuance of

 

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Equity Interests or receipt of capital contributions or the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of assets outside the ordinary course of business). Each prepayment pursuant to this paragraph shall be made on or before the date that is five days after the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 with respect to the fiscal year for which Excess Cash Flow is being calculated.

(e) Prior to any optional or mandatory prepayment of Borrowings hereunder, the Borrowers shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings to be prepaid and shall specify such selection in the notice of such prepayment pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section. In the event of any mandatory prepayment of Term Loan Borrowings made at a time when Term Loan Borrowings of more than one Class remain outstanding, the Borrowers shall select Term Loan Borrowings to be prepaid so that the aggregate amount of such prepayment is allocated between Term Loan Borrowings (and, to the extent provided in the Refinancing Amendment for any Class of Other Term Loans, the Borrowings of such Class) pro rata based on the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Borrowings of each such Class; provided that any Term Lender (and, to the extent provided in the Refinancing Amendment for any Class of Other Term Loans, any Lender that holds Other Term Loans of such Class) may elect, by notice to the Administrative Agent in writing by hand delivery or facsimile or other electronic transmission at least one Business Day prior to the prepayment date, to decline all or any portion of any prepayment of its Term Loans or Other Term Loans of any such Class pursuant to this Section (other than an optional prepayment pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section, which may not be declined), in which case the aggregate amount of the prepayment that would have been applied to prepay Term Loans or Other Term Loans of any such Class but was so declined shall be retained by the Borrowers. Optional prepayments of Term Loan Borrowings shall be allocated among the Classes of Term Loan Borrowings as directed by the Borrowers. In the absence of a designation by the Borrowers as described in the preceding provisions of this paragraph of the Type of Borrowing of any Class, the Administrative Agent shall make such designation in its reasonable discretion with a view, but no obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing under Section 2.16.

(f) The Borrowers shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) in writing by hand delivery or facsimile or other electronic transmission of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, in the case of a mandatory prepayment, a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment; provided that a notice of optional prepayment may state that such notice is conditional upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the receipt of the proceeds from the issuance of other Indebtedness or the occurrence of some other identifiable event or condition, in which case such notice of prepayment may be revoked by the Borrowers (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified date of prepayment) if such condition is not satisfied. Promptly following receipt of any such notice (other than a notice relating solely to Swingline Loans), the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02, except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13. At the Borrowers’ election in connection with any prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.11, such prepayment shall not be applied to any Term Loan or Revolving Loan of a Defaulting Lender and shall be allocated ratably among the relevant non-Defaulting Lenders.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of Section 2.11(c) or (d), (A) to the extent that any of or all the Net Proceeds of any Prepayment Event by a Foreign Subsidiary giving rise to a prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11(c) or (d) (a “ Foreign Prepayment Event ”) or Excess Cash Flow are prohibited or delayed by applicable local law from being repatriated to either Borrower, the portion of such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected will not be required to be applied to repay Term Loans at the times provided in Section 2.11(c) or (d), as the case may be, and such amounts may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law will not permit repatriation to either Borrower (Borrowers hereby agreeing to cause the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to promptly take all actions reasonably required by the applicable local law to permit such repatriation), and once such repatriation of any of such affected Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow is permitted

 

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under the applicable local law, such repatriation will be promptly effected and such repatriated Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow will be promptly (and in any event not later than three Business Days after such repatriation) applied (net of additional taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) to the repayment of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(c) or (d), as applicable, and (B) to the extent that the Borrower has determined in good faith that repatriation of any of or all the Net Proceeds of any Foreign Prepayment Event or Excess Cash Flow would have a material adverse tax consequence (taking into account any foreign tax credit or benefit actually realized in connection with such repatriation) with respect to such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow, the Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary; provided that in the case of this clause (B), on or before the date on which any Net Proceeds from any Foreign Prepayment Event so retained would otherwise have been required to be applied to reinvestments or prepayments pursuant to Section 2.11(c) (or, in the case of Excess Cash Flow, a date on or before the date that is twelve months after the date such Excess Cash Flow would have so required to be applied to prepayments pursuant to Section 2.11(d) unless previously repatriated in which case such repatriated Excess Cash Flow shall have been promptly applied to the repayment of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(c)), (x) the Borrower applies an amount equal to such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow to such reinvestments or prepayments as if such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow had been received by the Borrower rather than such Foreign Subsidiary, less the amount of additional taxes that would have been payable or reserved against if such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow had been repatriated (or, if less, the Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow that would be calculated if received by such Foreign Subsidiary) or (y) such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow shall be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary.

(h) Following the end of each fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower, commencing with the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Restatement Effective Date, the Borrowers shall prepay Term Loan Borrowings in an aggregate amount equal to the Excess Cash Balance as at the end of such fiscal quarter. Each prepayment pursuant to this paragraph shall be made on or before the date that is five days after the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) with respect to the fiscal period for which the Excess Cash Balance is being calculated.

SECTION 2.12. Fees .

(a) Each Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent in dollars for the account of each Revolving Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.50% per annum on the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the third Business Day following the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). For purposes of computing commitment fees, a Revolving Commitment of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure of such Lender (and the Swingline Exposure of such Lender shall be disregarded for such purpose).

(b) Each Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent in dollars for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurocurrency Revolving Loans on the daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank in dollars a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and

 

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December of each year shall be payable on the third Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date, provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to an Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

(c) The Borrowers agree to make an additional payment for the ratable account of the Term Lenders party to this Agreement on the date hereof in an amount equal to $5,000,000 in the event that the Term Loan remains outstanding on the first anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date, which additional payment shall be in all respects fully earned on the Restatement Effective Date but due and payable in cash on the earlier to occur of (i) the first anniversary of such date and (ii) the acceleration of the Secured Obligations for any reason (including commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or similar case or proceeding) and such additional payment shall be non-refundable and noncreditable thereafter.

(d) The Parent Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(e) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to an Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Revolving Lenders entitled thereto. Fees paid hereunder shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to Section 2.22, no Borrower shall be obligated to pay any amounts to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Section 2.12.

SECTION 2.13. Interest .

(a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrowers hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2.00% per annum plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2.00% per annum plus the rate applicable to ABR Revolving Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section; provided that no amount shall be payable pursuant to this Section 2.13(c) to a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender; provided further that no amounts shall accrue pursuant to this Section 2.13(c) on any overdue amount, reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement or other amount payable to a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender.

(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Revolving Commitments, provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Revolving Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

 

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(e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.14. Alternate Rate of Interest . If at least two Business Days prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:

(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or

(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period,

the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Parent Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or facsimile as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Parent Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing and shall be ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing, then such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing; provided , however , that, in each case, the Parent Borrower may revoke any Borrowing Request that is pending when such notice is received.

SECTION 2.15. Increased Costs .

(a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or any Issuing Bank (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate); or

(ii) impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or issue any Letter of Credit) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then, from time to time upon request of such Lender or Issuing Bank, the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such increased costs actually incurred or reduction actually suffered, provided that to the extent any such costs or reductions are incurred by any Lender as a result of any requests, rules, guidelines or directives enacted or promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act after the Effective Date, then such Lender shall be compensated pursuant to this Section 2.15(a) only to the extent such Lender is imposing such charges on similarly situated borrowers under the other syndicated credit facilities that such Lender is a lender under. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this paragraph will not apply to any such increased costs or reductions resulting from Taxes, as to which Section 2.17 shall govern.

 

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(b) If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then, from time to time upon request of such Lender or Issuing Bank, the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction actually suffered.

(c) A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company in reasonable detail, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section delivered to the Borrowers shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 15 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrowers of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

SECTION 2.16. Break Funding Payments . In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Revolving Loan or Term Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(f) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.19 or Section 9.02(c), then, in any such event, the Borrowers shall, after receipt of a written request by any Lender affected by any such event (which request shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount), compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrowers to the Lenders under this Section 2.16, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurocurrency Loan made by it at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurocurrency Loan was in fact so funded. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section delivered to the Borrowers shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 15 days after receipt of such demand. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 2.16 will not apply to losses, costs or expenses resulting from Taxes, as to which Section 2.17 shall govern.

SECTION 2.17. Taxes .

(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Taxes, provided that if the applicable withholding agent shall be required by applicable Requirements of Law to deduct any Taxes from such payments, then (i) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions, (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law and (iii) if the Tax in question is an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax, the amount payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after all required deductions have been made (including deductions applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent or Lender (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made.

 

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(b) Without limiting the provisions of paragraph (a) above, the Parent Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Requirements of Law.

(c) Each Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, within 30 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and any Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation of the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrowers by a Lender or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, the Parent Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Each Lender shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable Requirements of Law and such other documentation reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent (i) as will permit such payments to be made without, or at a reduced rate of, withholding or (ii) as will enable the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to withholding or information reporting requirements. Each Lender shall, whenever a lapse or time or change in circumstances renders such documentation obsolete, expired or inaccurate in any material respect, deliver promptly to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent updated or other appropriate documentation (including any new documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) or promptly notify the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its inability to do so. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no Lender or Participant shall be required to deliver any form of certificate that it is not legally able to deliver.

Without limiting the foregoing:

(1) Each Lender that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(3) of the Code shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding.

(2) Each Lender that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701 (a)(3) of the Code shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of a Borrower or the Administrative Agent) whichever of the following is applicable:

(A) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or any successor forms) claiming eligibility for the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, and such other documentation as required under the Code,

(B) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or any successor forms),

 

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(C) in the case of a Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) two properly completed and duly signed certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit R-1 , R-2 , R-3 and R-4 , as applicable, (any such certificate, a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or any successor forms),

(D) to the extent a Lender is not the beneficial owner (for example, where the Lender is a partnership or a participating Lender), two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY (or any successor forms) of the Lender, accompanied by a Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN, U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, Form W-9, Form W-8IMY or any other required information (or any successor forms) from each beneficial owner that would be required under this Section 2.17(e) if such beneficial owner were a Lender, as applicable ( provided that, if the Lender is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and not a participating Lender) and one or more beneficial owners are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, the U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate may be provided by such Lender on behalf of such beneficial owner), or

(E) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of any other form prescribed by applicable U.S. federal income tax laws as a basis for claiming a complete exemption from, or a reduction in, U.S. federal withholding tax on any payments to such Lender under the Loan Documents.

(3) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA, such Lender shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by a Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law and such additional documentation reasonably requested by a Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA and, if necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this clause (e), a Lender shall not be required to deliver any form or other documentation that such Lender is not legally eligible to deliver.

(f) If the Parent Borrower determines in good faith that a reasonable basis exists for contesting any Taxes for which indemnification has been demanded hereunder, the Administrative Agent or the relevant Lender, as applicable, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Parent Borrower in a reasonable challenge of such Taxes if so requested by the Parent Borrower; provided that (a) the Administrative Agent or such Lender determines in its reasonable discretion that it would not be subject to any unreimbursed third party cost or expense or otherwise be prejudiced by cooperating in such challenge, (b) the Parent Borrower pays all related expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable and (c) the Parent Borrower indemnifies the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, for any liabilities or other costs incurred by such party in connection with such challenge. The Administrative Agent or a Lender shall claim any refund that it determines is reasonably available to it, unless it concludes in its reasonable discretion that it would be adversely affected by making such a claim. If the Administrative Agent or a Lender receives a refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Parent Borrower or with respect to which the Parent Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay over such refund to the Parent Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Parent Borrower under this Section with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees promptly to repay the amount paid over to the Parent Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. The Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, shall, at the Parent Borrower’s request, provide the Parent Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence of the

 

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requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant taxing authority ( provided that the Administrative Agent or such Lender may delete any information therein that the Administrative Agent or such Lender deems confidential). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to Taxes which it deems confidential to any Loan Party or any other Person).

(g) The agreements in this Section 2.17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

(h) For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” shall include any Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender.

SECTION 2.18. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs .

(a) Each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it under any Loan Document (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to the time expressly required hereunder or under such other Loan Document for such payment (or, if no such time is expressly required, prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time), on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without setoff or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to such account as may be specified by the Administrative Agent, except payments to be made directly to any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender shall be made as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto and payments pursuant to other Loan Documents shall be made to the Persons specified therein. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment (other than payments on the Eurocurrency Loans) under any Loan Document shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment on a Eurocurrency Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate for the period of such extension. All payments or prepayments of any Loan shall be made in the currency in which such Loan is denominated, all reimbursements of any LC Disbursements shall be made in dollars, all payments of accrued interest payable on a Loan or LC Disbursement shall be made in dollars, and all other payments under each Loan Document shall be made in dollars.

(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans, Term Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans, Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans, Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans, Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment

 

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giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by such Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from existence of a Defaulting Lender), (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant or (C) any disproportionate payment obtained by a Lender of any Class as a result of the extension by Lenders of the maturity date or expiration date of some but not all Loans or Revolving Commitments of that Class or any increase in the Applicable Rate in respect of Loans of Lenders that have consented to any such extension. The Borrowers consent to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrowers rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrowers in the amount of such participation.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption and in its sole discretion, distribute to the Lenders or Issuing Banks, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or Issuing Banks, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(c), 2.05(e) or 2.05(f), 2.06(a) or (b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion and in the order determined by the Administrative Agent (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Section until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and to be applied to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section.

SECTION 2.19. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .

(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrowers are required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17 or any event that gives rise to the operation of Section 2.23, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or its participation in any Letter of Credit affected by such event, or to assign and delegate its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment and delegation (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or mitigate the applicability of Section 2.23, as the case may be, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense reasonably deemed by such Lender to be material and would not be inconsistent with the internal policies of, or otherwise be disadvantageous in any material economic, legal or regulatory respect to, such Lender.

(b) If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15 or gives notice under Section 2.23, (ii) the Borrowers are required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or to any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or (iii) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment and delegation), provided that (A) the Borrowers shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent to the extent such consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of

 

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Loans or Commitments, as applicable (and if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned and delegated, each Principal Issuing Bank and each Swingline Lender), which consents, in each case, shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (B) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and unreimbursed participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued but unpaid interest thereon, accrued but unpaid fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts), (C) the Borrowers or such assignee shall have paid (unless waived) to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b)(ii) and (D) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15, payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17 or a notice given under Section 2.23, such assignment will result in a material reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise (including as a result of any action taken by such Lender under paragraph (a) above), the circumstances entitling the Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Each party hereto agrees that an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and that the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto.

SECTION 2.20. [Intentionally Omitted] .

SECTION 2.21. Refinancing Amendments .

(a) At any time after the Effective Date, the Parent Borrower may obtain, from any Lender or any Additional Lender, Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of (a) all or any portion of the Term Loans then outstanding under this Agreement (which for purposes of this clause (a) will be deemed to include any then outstanding Other Term Loans) or (b) all or any portion of the Revolving Loans (or unused Revolving Commitments) under this Agreement (which for purposes of this clause (b) will be deemed to include any then outstanding Other Revolving Loans and Other Revolving Commitments), in the form of (x) Other Term Loans or Other Term Commitments or (y) Other Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Commitments, as the case may be, in each case pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment; provided that such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (i) will have such pricing and optional prepayment terms as may be agreed by the Borrower and the Lenders thereof, (ii) (x) with respect to any Other Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Commitments, will have a maturity date that is not prior to the maturity date of Revolving Loans (or unused Revolving Commitments) being refinanced and (y) with respect to any Other Term Loans or Other Term Commitments, will have a maturity date that is not prior to the maturity date of the Term Loans being refinanced, (iii) the proceeds of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall be applied, substantially concurrently with the incurrence thereof, to the prepayment of outstanding Term Loans or reduction of Revolving Commitments being so refinanced, as the case may be and (iv) which is in the form of Other Term Loans or Other Term Commitments obtained in respect of a portion of the Term Loans then outstanding under this Agreement (which for purposes of this clause (iv) will be deemed to include any then outstanding Other Term Loans), shall have interest rate margins, rate floors, fees, premiums, funding, discounts and amortization schedules to be determined by the Borrowers and the applicable lenders with respect to the holders of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness and in the event that the yield on any such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is higher than the yield for the Term Loans by more than 50 basis points, then the yield for the Term Loans shall be increased to the extent necessary so that such yield is equal to the yield for such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness minus 50 basis points; provided , that, in determining the yield applicable to such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness and the Term Loans (x) OID or upfront fees (which shall be deemed to constitute like amounts of OID) payable by the Borrowers to the Term Lenders or any Additional Lenders in the initial primary syndication thereof shall be included (with OlD being equated to interest based on assumed four-year life to maturity), (y) customary arrangement or commitment fees payable to any of the Joint Bookrunners (or their respective affiliates) in connection with this Agreement or to one or more arrangers (or their affiliates) of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall be excluded and (z) if such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness includes an interest rate floor greater than the interest rate floor applicable to the Term Loans, such increased amount shall be equated to interest margin for purposes of determining whether an increase to the applicable interest margin for the Term Loans shall be required, to the extent an increase in the interest rate floor in the Term Loans would cause an increase in the interest rate then in effect, and in such case the interest rate floor

 

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(but not the interest rate margin) applicable to the Term Loans shall be increased by such increased amount; provided further that the terms and conditions applicable to such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness may provide for any additional or different financial or other covenants or other provisions that are agreed between the Parent Borrower and the Lenders thereof and applicable only during periods after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained. The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of legal opinions, board resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date under Section 4.01 (other than changes to such legal opinions resulting from a change in law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent). Each Class of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred under this Section 2.21 shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (x) not less than $10,000,000 in the case of Other Term Loans or $10,000,000 in the case of Other Revolving Loans and (y) an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Any Refinancing Amendment may provide for the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of the Parent Borrower, or the provision to the Parent Borrower of Swingline Loans, pursuant to any Other Revolving Commitments established thereby, in each case on terms substantially equivalent to the terms applicable to Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under the Revolving Commitments. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Refinancing Amendment. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto (including any amendments necessary to treat the Loans and Commitments subject thereto as Other Term Loans, Other Revolving Loans, Other Revolving Commitments and/or Other Term Commitments). Any Refinancing Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section. In addition, if so provided in the relevant Refinancing Amendment and with the consent of each Issuing Bank, participations in Letters of Credit expiring on or after the Revolving Maturity Date shall be reallocated from Lenders holding Revolving Commitments to Lenders holding extended revolving commitments in accordance with the terms of such Refinancing Amendment; provided , however , that such participation interests shall, upon receipt thereof by the relevant Lenders holding Revolving Commitments, be deemed to be participation interests in respect of such Revolving Commitments and the terms of such participation interests (including, without limitation, the commission applicable thereto) shall be adjusted accordingly.

(b) This Section 2.21 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.18 or Section 9.02 to the contrary.

SECTION 2.22. Defaulting Lenders .

(a) Adjustments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

(i) Waivers and Amendments . Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 9.02.

(ii) Reallocation of Payments . Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.08), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , in the case of a Revolving Lender, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender hereunder; third , as the Parent Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting

 

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Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fourth , in the case of a Revolving Lender, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; fifth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; sixth , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to a Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Parent Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and seventh , to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements and such Lender is a Defaulting Lender under clause (a) of the definition thereof, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the relevant Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, the relevant non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied pursuant to Section 2.05(j). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(iii) Certain Fees . That Defaulting Lender (x) shall not be entitled to receive or accrue any commitment fee pursuant to Section 2.12(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender) and (y) shall be limited in its right to receive Letter of Credit Fees as provided in Section 2.12(b).

(iv) Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure . During any period in which there is a Defaulting Lender, for purposes of computing the amount of the obligation of each non- Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit pursuant to Sections 2.04 and 2.05, the “Applicable Percentage” of each non-Defaulting Lender shall be computed without giving effect to the Revolving Commitment of that Defaulting Lender; provided that the aggregate obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall not exceed the positive difference, if any, of (1) the Revolving Commitment of that non-Defaulting Lender minus (2) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans of that Lender.

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any cash collateral), such Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv)), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrowers while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided , further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

SECTION 2.23. Illegality . If any Lender determines that any law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrowers through the Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Loans or to convert ABR Loans denominated in

 

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dollars to Eurocurrency Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrowers shall, upon three Business Days’ notice from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurocurrency Loans of such Lender to ABR Loans either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Loans, and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Alternate Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate. Each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers in writing promptly upon becoming aware that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

SECTION 2.24. Tax Treatment .

(a) Debt Treatment and Warrants . The Borrowers and the Lenders agree, unless otherwise required by a change in law (including a change in existing or issuance of new laws, regulations, judicial rulings or published administrative determinations with respect to Taxes), or as required by the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authority following a good faith resolution of an audit or examination, (i) to treat the Term Loans, as of before and after the Restatement Effective Date, as indebtedness of the Borrowers for U.S. federal income Tax purposes and (ii) to treat the Term Loans and the warrants to purchase shares of Smart Global Holdings Inc. (the “ Warrants ”) that are issued to the Lenders as a condition to the effectiveness of the Fourth Amendment as having been issued as an “investment unit” within the meaning of Section 1273(c)(2) of the Code, and, correspondingly, the Term Loans as having been issued with OID for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent required and as determined pursuant to Section 2.24(b) and (iii) in each case, to not take any Tax position inconsistent with such Tax characterization. For the avoidance of doubt, the description of change in law in this Section 2.24 shall not affect the interpretation of law or Requirement of Law or change in law or Requirement of Law in any other provision of this Agreement and any such reference elsewhere in this Agreement shall be interpreted without regard to this Section 2.24. The inclusion of this Section 2.24 is not an admission by any Lender that it is subject to taxation in the United States.

(b) Determination of Issue Price and OID . Within 90 (ninety) days after the date hereof, the Borrowers and the Required Lenders shall cooperate in good faith to determine the “issue price”, the amount of OID (if any) of the Term Loans, the fair market value of the Warrants and the treatment of the transactions contemplated by the amendment and restatement as of the date hereof of this Agreement and the agreements entered into in connection herewith, in each case, as determined for applicable U.S. federal income Tax purposes. For each year in which the Term Loans are outstanding, the Borrowers shall provide the Required Lenders with calculations by the Borrowers regarding (a) the amount of OID for any applicable accrual period on the Term Loans and (b) the allocation of the issue price and the fair market value of the Warrants and the Second Tranche Warrant Shares (as such term is defined in the Warrant), as applicable, at least 60 (sixty) days before the filing of any Tax return reporting these items, and the Required Lenders shall have 30 (thirty) days to review and approve such calculations, in each case, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. If the Required Lenders dispute any such calculation, they shall notify the Borrowers of such disputed item (or items) and the basis for their objection. The parties shall act in good faith to resolve any such dispute; provided that if the parties have not resolved any disputed item on or before the date that is 20 (twenty) days prior to the due date of the relevant Tax return, the item in question shall be resolved, prior to such due date by an independent accounting firm mutually acceptable to the Required Lenders and the Borrowers. The fees and expenses of such accounting firm shall be borne by the Borrowers. The Borrowers and the Lenders shall notfile any Tax return inconsistent with the amounts agreed pursuant to the preceding sentences of this Section 2.24(b).

 

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ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower (and the Co-Borrower as to itself and its Restricted Subsidiaries) represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers . Each of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdictions) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party and to effect the Transactions and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability . The Transactions to be entered into by each Loan Party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action and, if required, action by the holders of such Loan Party’s Equity Interests. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of Holdings and the Borrowers and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is to be a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of Holdings, the Borrowers or such Loan Party, as the case may be, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts . The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except filings necessary to perfect Liens created under the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate (i) the Organizational Documents of, or (ii) any Requirements of Law applicable to, Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture or other agreement or instrument binding upon Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary or their respective assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment, repurchase or redemption to be made by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation thereunder, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, except Liens created under the Loan Documents, except (in the case of each of clauses (a), (b)(ii) and (c)) to the extent that the failure to obtain or make such consent, approval, registration, filing or action, or such violation, as the case may be, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect .

(a) Holdings has heretofore furnished to the Lenders the Audited Financial Statements. The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein and (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Target and its subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein.

(b) The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Target and its subsidiaries dated May 27, 2011 and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Target and its subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments.

 

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(c) Holdings has heretofore furnished to the Lenders the consolidated pro forma balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of May 27, 2011, and the related consolidated pro forma statement of income of the Parent Borrower as of and for the twelve-month period then ended (such pro forma balance sheet and statement of income, the “ Pro Forma Financial Statements ”), which have been prepared giving effect to the Transactions (excluding the impact of purchase accounting effects required by GAAP) as if such transactions had occurred on such date or at the beginning of such period, as the case may be. The Pro Forma Financial Statements have been prepared in good faith, based on assumptions believed by Holdings to be reasonable as of the date of delivery thereof, and present fairly in all material respects on a pro forma basis the estimated financial position of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of May 27, 2011, and their estimated results of operations for the periods covered thereby, assuming that the Transactions had actually occurred at such date or at the beginning of such period (excluding the impact of purchase accounting effects required by GAAP).

(d) Since August 27, 2010, there has been no Material Adverse Effect ( provided that the representation set forth in this Section 3.04(c) shall not be deemed made on the Effective Date in respect of any Borrowings or extensions of credit made hereunder on such date).

SECTION 3.05. Properties .

(a) Each of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, if any (including the Mortgaged Properties), (i) free and clear of all Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02 and (ii) except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes, in each case, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Each of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property material to the conduct of its business, and the use thereof by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the Intellectual Property rights of any other Person, in each case except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) As of the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions, none of Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary owns any real property.

SECTION 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters .

(a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Parent Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, none of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Parent Borrower, become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received written notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) has, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Parent Borrower, any basis to reasonably expect that Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary will become subject to any Environmental Liability.

 

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SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements . Each of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries is in compliance with (a) its Organizational Documents, (b) all Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property and (c) all indentures and other agreements and instruments binding upon it or its property, except, in the case of clauses (b) and (c) of this Section, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.08. Investment Company Status . None of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

SECTION 3.09. Taxes . Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, Holdings, the Parent Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary (a) have timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and (b) have paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid (whether or not shown on a Tax return) including in their capacity as tax withholding agents, except any Taxes (i) that are not overdue by more than 30 days or (ii) that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that Holdings, the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, has set aside on its books adequate reserves therefore in accordance with GAAP.

SECTION 3.10. ERISA .

(a) Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state Laws.

(b) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no ERISA Event has occurred during the five year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made with respect to any Plan, (ii) no Plan has an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, (iii) neither Holdings nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA), (iv) neither Holdings nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan and (v) neither Holdings nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

SECTION 3.11. Disclosure . Neither (a) the Information Memorandum as of the Effective Date nor (b) any of the other reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of any Loan Document or delivered thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) when taken as a whole contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading, provided that, with respect to projected financial information, Holdings and the Parent Borrower represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by them to be reasonable at the time delivered and, if such projected financial information was delivered prior to the Effective Date, as of the Effective Date, it being understood that any such projected financial information may vary from actual results and such variations could be material.

SECTION 3.12. Subsidiaries . As of the Effective Date, Schedule 3.12 sets forth the name of, and the ownership interest of Holdings and each Subsidiary in, each Subsidiary.

SECTION 3.13. Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc . Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries own, license or possess the right to use, all of the rights to Intellectual Property that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses as currently conducted, and, without conflict with the rights of any Person, except to the extent such conflicts, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be

 

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expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Holdings, the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary do not, in the operation of their business as currently conducted, infringe upon any Intellectual Property rights held by any Person except for such infringements, individually or in the aggregate, which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim or litigation regarding any of the Intellectual Property owned by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of Holdings and the Parent Borrower, threatened in writing against Holdings, each Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.14. Solvency . Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, after taking into account all applicable rights of indemnity and contribution, (a) the fair value of the assets of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, at a fair valuation, will exceed their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of their debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured, (c) Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured, and (d) Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which they are engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted following the Effective Date. For purposes of this Section 3.14, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that could reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

SECTION 3.15. Senior Indebtedness . The Loan Document Obligations constitute “Senior Indebtedness” (or any comparable term) under and as defined in the documentation governing any other Subordinated Indebtedness.

SECTION 3.16. Federal Reserve Regulations . None of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, to purchase or carry any margin stock or to refinance any Indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, or for any other purpose that entails a violation (including on the part of any Lender) of the provisions of Regulations U or X of the Board of Governors.

SECTION 3.17. Use of Proceeds . The Borrowers will use the proceeds of (a) the Term Loans made on the Effective Date to finance the Transaction and pay Transaction Costs and (b) the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans on the Effective Date to pay a portion of the Transaction costs and after the Effective Date for general corporate purposes.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS

SECTION 4.01. Effective Date . The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of each Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder became effective on the Effective Date, on which each of the following conditions were satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed counterpart of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

 

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(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks and dated the Effective Date) of each of (i) Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York counsel for the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 , (ii) Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados, Brazilian counsel for the Loan Parties in form of Exhibit F-2 , (iii) Walkers Global, Cayman counsel for the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-3 , (iv) De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek N.V., Dutch counsel for the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 , and (v) Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen, Luxembourg counsel for the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-5 and, in the case of each such opinion required by this paragraph, covering such other matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinions.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit I with appropriate insertions, executed by any Responsible Officer of such Loan Party, and including or attaching the documents referred to in paragraph (d) of this Section.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of (i) each Organizational Document of each Loan Party certified, to the extent applicable, as of a recent date by the applicable Governmental Authority, (ii) signature and incumbency certificates of the Responsible Officers of each Loan Party executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (iii) resolutions of the board of directors and/or similar governing bodies of each Loan Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of Loan Documents to which it is a party, certified as of the Effective Date by its secretary, an assistant secretary or a Responsible Officer as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment, and (iv) a good standing certificate (to the extent such concept exists) from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Loan Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts previously agreed in writing by the Joint Bookrunners and Holdings to be due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced at least three Business Days prior to the Effective Date, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) required to be reimbursed or paid by any Loan Party under any Loan Document.

(f) The Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been satisfied and the Administrative Agent shall have received a completed Perfection Certificate dated the Effective Date and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower, together with all attachments contemplated thereby, including the results of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent) filings made with respect to Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the jurisdictions contemplated by the Perfection Certificate and copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such search and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Liens indicated by such financing statements (or similar documents) are permitted by Section 6.02 or have been or will contemporaneously with the initial funding of Loans on the Effective Date be released; provided that if, notwithstanding the use by Holdings and the Parent Borrower of commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied on the Effective Date, the requirements thereof (other than (a) the execution and delivery of the Guarantee Agreement and the Collateral Agreement by the Loan Parties, (b) creation of and perfection of security interests in the Equity Interests of (i) Domestic Subsidiaries of Holdings and the Parent Borrower, and (c) delivery of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements with respect to perfection of security interests in other assets of the Loan Parties that may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code) are not satisfied as of the Effective Date, the satisfaction of such requirements shall not be a condition to the availability of the initial Loans on the Effective Date (but shall be required to be satisfied as promptly as practicable after the Effective Date and in any event within the period specified therefor in Schedule 5.14 or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree).

 

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(g) Subject to the qualifications set forth in the lead-in to Article III of the Acquisition Agreement, since August 27, 2010 to April 26, 2011, there has not been any change, event development or effect that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Target Material Adverse Effect. Since April 26, 2011 there has not been any change, event, development or effect that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Target Material Adverse Effect.

(h) Certificates of insurance shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent evidencing the existence of insurance to be maintained by Holdings and the Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 5.07 and, if applicable, the Administrative Agent shall be designated as an additional insured and loss payee or mortgage endorsement as its interest may appear hereunder, or solely as the additional insured, as the case may be, hereunder ( provided that if such endorsement as additional insured cannot be delivered by the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent may consent to such endorsement being delivered at such later date as it deems appropriate in the circumstances).

(i) The Joint Bookrunners shall have received the (i) Pro Forma Financial Statements, (ii) Audited Financial Statements and (iii) unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows of the Target for each subsequent fiscal quarter after August 27, 2010 ended at least 45 days before the Effective Date (excluding footnotes).

(j) The Specified Representations shall be true and correct on and as of the Effective Date.

(k) The Acquisition shall have been consummated, or substantially simultaneously with the initial funding of Loans on the Effective Date, shall be consummated, in all material respects in accordance with the Acquisition Agreement (without giving effect to any amendments, supplements, waivers or other modifications to or of the Acquisition Agreement that are material and adverse to the Lenders or the Joint Book runners as reasonably determined by the Joint Book runners (it being understood that (x) any modification, amendment, consent or waiver to the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” shall be deemed to be material and adverse to the interest of the Lenders and the Joint Bookrunners and (y) (i) any reduction in the purchase price of the Acquisition shall be deemed to be material and adverse to the interest of the Lenders and the Joint Bookrunners ( provided that, in no event shall a reduction of the purchase price by less than 10% be deemed material for such purposes and any such reduction shall not require the prior consent of the Joint Bookrunners) and (ii) any reduction in the purchase price of the Acquisition (other than a reduction covered by the foregoing clause (y)(i)) shall not be deemed to be material and adverse to the interest of the Lenders and the Joint Bookrunners if such reduction is allocated to ratably reduce the pro forma equity capitalization of the Target and the Term Loans)).

(l) The Equity Financing shall have occurred and Holdings shall have received cash proceeds from the Equity Financing in an amount that, together with the Rolled Equity, is at least equal to 45% of the total pro forma debt and equity capitalization of Holdings and its subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) on the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions.

(m) After giving effect to the Transactions, (i) none of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary shall have outstanding any Disqualified Equity Interests or any Indebtedness, other than (A) Indebtedness incurred under the Loan Documents and (B) Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01. Without limiting the foregoing, the Refinancing Transaction shall have occurred.

(n) The Lenders shall have received a certificate from the chief financial officer of the Parent Borrower certifying as to the solvency of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions.

(o) The Administrative Agent and the Joint Bookrunners shall have received all documentation and other information about the Loan Parties as shall have been reasonably requested in writing at least 10 days prior to the Effective Date by the Administrative Agent or the Joint Bookrunners that they shall have reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA Patriot Act.

 

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The Administrative Agent shall notify Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions shall have been satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 9.02) at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 6, 2011 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate at such time).

SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event . The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of each Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, in each case other than on the Effective Date is subject to receipt of the request therefor in accordance herewith and to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) The representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as the case may be (in each case, unless such date is the Effective Date); provided that, to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; provided further that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects on the date of such credit extension or on such earlier date, as the case may be.

(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as the case may be (unless such Borrowing is on the Effective Date), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(c) At the time of any Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans are drawn upon or Letters of Credit are issued (if after giving effect to such Letter of Credit there would be more than $1,000,000 of Letters of Credit outstanding that are not cash collateralized), after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, the Secured Net Leverage Ratio shall not exceed the ratio in effect for the most recently ended Test Period at such time pursuant to Section 6.12(a).

Each Borrowing ( provided that a conversion or a continuation of a Borrowing shall not constitute a “Borrowing” for purposes of this Section) and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by Holdings and each Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts (other than contingent amounts not yet due) payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or been terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements and Other Information . The Parent Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent, on behalf of each Lender:

(a) on or before the date on which such financial statements are required or permitted to be filed with the SEC (or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 120 days after the end of each such fiscal year of Parent Borrower (or, in the case of financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 26, 2011, on or before the date that is 150 days after the end of such fiscal year)), audited consolidated balance sheet and audited consolidated statements of

 

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operations and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Parent Borrower (or, in the case of financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 26, 2011, the Target) as of the end of and for such year, and related notes thereto, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Deloitte & Touche LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than with respect to, or resulting from any potential inability to satisfy the covenants in Section 6.12 of this Agreement in a future date or period) and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the end of and for such year and results of operations and cash flows of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries (or, in the case of the fiscal year ended August 26, 2011, the Target and its subsidiaries) on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

(b) commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ending November 25, 2011, on or before the date on which such financial statements are required or permitted to be filed with the SEC with respect to each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower (or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 60 days after the end of each such fiscal quarter (or, in the case of financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended November 25, 2011 on or before the date that is 90 days after the end of such fiscal quarter and in the case of financial statements for the fiscal quarters ended February 24, 2012 and May 25, 2012, respectively, on or before the date that is 75 days after the end of such fiscal quarter)), unaudited consolidated balance sheet and unaudited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth for each fiscal quarter commencing with the fiscal quarter ending November 30, 2012 in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and such portion of the fiscal year and results of operations and cash flows of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

(c) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of consolidated financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, the related consolidating financial statements reflecting adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements;

(d) not later than five days after any delivery of financial statements under paragraph (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations (A) of the Secured Leverage Ratio, (B) of the Secured Net Leverage Ratio demonstrating compliance with the covenants contained in Section 6.12 and (C) in the case of financial statements delivered under paragraph (a) above, beginning with the financial statements for the fiscal year of the Parent Borrower ending August 31, 2012, of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year and (iii) in the case of financial statements delivered under paragraph (a) above, setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation of the Net Proceeds received during the applicable period by or on behalf of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any event described in clause (a) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event” and the portion of such Net Proceeds that has been invested or are intended to be reinvested in accordance with the proviso in Section 2.11(c);

(e) not later than five days after any delivery of financial statements under paragraph (a) above, a certificate of the accounting firm that reported on such financial statements stating whether it obtained knowledge during the course of its examination of such financial statements of any Default relating to Sections 6.12 and, if such knowledge has been obtained, describing such Default (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines);

 

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(f) not later than 120 days after the commencement of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower (or in the case of the fiscal year ended August 26, 2011, on or before the date that is 150 days at the end of such fiscal year), a detailed consolidated budget for the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statements of projected operations, comprehensive income and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal year and setting forth the material assumptions used for purposes of preparing such budget);

(g) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and registration statements (other than amendments to any registration statement (to the extent such registration statement, in the form it became effective, is delivered to the Administrative Agent), exhibits to any registration statement and, if applicable, any registration statement on Form S-8) filed by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or Subsidiaries (or, if the Parent Borrower is a subsidiary of the IPO Entity, the IPO Entity) with the SEC or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Parent Borrower (or, if the Parent Borrower is a subsidiary of the IPO Entity, the IPO Entity) to the holders of its Equity Interests generally, as the case may be;

(h) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of any Lender may reasonably request in writing; and

(i) (i) not later than 90 days after the end of the fiscal year of Parent Borrower ended August 26, 2011, summary unaudited and abbreviated consolidated financial information of the Parent Borrower of such type that are provided to the Board of Directors of Holdings or to senior management and (ii) not later than 60 days after the end of each of the fiscal quarters ended November 25, 2011, February 24, 2012 and May 25, 2012, summary unaudited and abbreviated consolidated financial information of the Parent Borrower of such type that are provided to the Board of Directors of Holdings or to senior management.

The Parent Borrower will hold and participate in a quarterly conference call for Lenders to discuss financial information delivered pursuant to paragraphs (a), (b) and (f) of this Section 5.01. The Parent Borrower will hold such conference call following the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower and not later than five Business Days from the time that the Parent Borrower delivers the financial information as set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.01. Prior to each conference call, the Parent Borrower shall issue a press release to the appropriate wire services announcing the time and date of such conference call and, unless the call is to be open to the public, Lenders, securities analysts and prospective lenders to contact the office of the Parent Borrower’s chief financial officer or investor relations department to obtain access. If the Parent Borrower is holding a conference call open to the public to discuss the most recent quarter’s financial performance, the Parent Borrower will not be required to hold a second, separate call just for the Lenders.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.01 may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries by furnishing (A) the Form 10-K or 10-Q (or the equivalent), as applicable, of the Parent Borrower (or a parent company thereof) filed with the SEC or with a similar regulatory authority in a foreign jurisdiction or (B) the applicable financial statement of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings); provided that to the extent such information relates to a parent of the Parent Borrower, such information is accompanied by consolidating information, which may be unaudited, that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand, and to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under Section 5.01(a), such materials are accompanied by a report and opinion of Deloitte & Touche LLP or any other independent registered public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than with respect to, or resulting from any potential inability to satisfy the covenants in Section 6.12 of this Agreement in a future date or period) or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.

 

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Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a), (b) or (f) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Parent Borrower’s website on the Internet; (B) on which such documents are posted on the Parent Borrower’s behalf on IntraLinks/lntraAgency or another website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Parent Borrower shall deliver such documents to the Administrative Agent upon its reasonable request until a written notice to cease delivering such documents is given by the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Parent Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and upon its reasonable request, provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions ( i.e. , soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents and maintaining its copies of such documents.

The Parent Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Joint Bookrunners will make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Parent Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Parent Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Parent Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “ Platform ”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “ Public Lender ”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Parent Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Parent Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Parent Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Parent Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Parent Borrower Materials “PUBLIC”, the Parent Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Joint Bookrunners, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders to treat such Parent Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Parent Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws ( provided , however , that to the extent such Parent Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 9.12); (y) all Parent Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information”; and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Parent Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information”. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Parent Borrower Materials “PUBLIC”.

SECTION 5.02. Notices of Material Events . Promptly after any Responsible Officer of Holdings or any Borrower obtains actual knowledge thereof, Holdings or such Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to each Lender through the Administrative Agent) written notice of the following:

(a) the occurrence of any Default; and

(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or, to the knowledge of a Financial Officer or another executive officer of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, affecting Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the receipt of a notice of an Environmental Liability that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Parent Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

 

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SECTION 5.03. Information Regarding Collateral .

(a) Holdings or the Parent Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt (and in any event within 30 days or such longer period as reasonably agreed to by the Administrative Agent) written notice of any change (i) in any Loan Party’s legal name (as set forth in its certificate of organization or like document), (ii) in the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of any Loan Party or in the form of its organization or (iii) in any Loan Party’s organizational identification number.

(b) Not later than five days after delivery of financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01 (a) or (b), Holdings or the Parent Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Parent Borrower (i) setting forth the information required pursuant to Sections 1(a)(i), 1(b), 2, 5, 6, 8 (other than 8(f)) of the Perfection Certificate or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Perfection Certificate delivered on the Effective Date or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section, (ii) identifying any wholly-owned Subsidiary that has become, or ceased to be a Material Subsidiary during the most recently ended fiscal quarter and (iii) certifying that all notices required to be given prior to the date of such certificate by Section 5.03 or 5.12 have been given.

SECTION 5.04. Existence; Conduct of Business . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to obtain, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business, in each case (other than the preservation of the existence of Holdings and the Parent Borrower) to the extent that the failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03 or any Disposition permitted by Section 6.05.

SECTION 5.05. Payment of Taxes, etc . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, pay its obligations in respect of Taxes before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.06. Maintenance of Properties . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.07. Insurance .

(a) Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each other Subsidiary to, maintain, with insurance companies that Holdings believes (in the good faith judgment of the management of Holdings and the Parent Borrower) are financially sound and responsible at the time the relevant coverage is placed or renewed, insurance in at least such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance which Holdings and the Parent Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of management of Holdings and the Parent Borrower) is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business) and against at least such risks (and with such risk retentions) as Holdings and the Parent Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment or the management of Holdings and the Parent Borrower) are reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business; and will furnish to the Lenders, upon written request from the Administrative Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried. Each such policy of insurance shall (i) name the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear and (ii) in the case of each casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable clause or endorsement that names Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders as the loss payee thereunder.

(b) If any portion of any Mortgaged Property subject to FEMA rules and regulations is at any time located in an area identified by FEMA (or any successor agency) as a Special Flood Hazard Area with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (as now or hereafter in effect or successor act thereto, the “Flood Insurance Laws”), then the Parent Borrower shall, or shall cause the relevant Loan Party to (i) maintain or cause to be maintained, flood insurance sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Flood Insurance Laws and (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent evidence of such compliance.

 

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SECTION 5.08. Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights . Each of Holdings and the Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, maintain proper books of record and account in which entries that are full, true and correct in all material respects and are in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all material financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be. Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause its Restricted Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested; provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders may exercise visitation and inspection rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Section 5.08 and the Administrative Agent shall not exercise such rights more often than two times during any calendar year absent the existence of an Event of Default and only one such time shall be at the Parent Borrower’s expense; provided further that (a) when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Parent Borrower at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice and (b) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall give Holdings and the Parent Borrower the opportunity to participate in any discussions with Holdings’ or the Parent Borrower’s independent public accountants.

SECTION 5.09. Compliance with Laws . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, comply with its Organizational Documents and all Requirements of Law with respect to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.10. Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit . The Borrowers will use the proceeds of the Term Loans and any Revolving Loans drawn on the Effective Date, together with cash on hand of the Parent Borrower, on the Effective Date to pay a portion of the Transaction Costs (including any upfront fees payable in respect of the Term Loans on the Effective Date). The proceeds of the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans drawn after the Effective Date will be used only for general corporate purposes. Letters of Credit will be used only for general corporate purposes.

SECTION 5.11. Additional Subsidiaries . If any additional Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent is formed or acquired after the Effective Date, Holdings or the Parent Borrower will, within 30 days after such newly formed or acquired Restricted Subsidiary is formed or acquired, notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and all actions (if any) required to be taken with respect to such newly formed or acquired Subsidiary (unless such Subsidiary is an Excluded Subsidiary) in order to satisfy the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been taken with respect to such Subsidiary and with respect to any Equity Interest in or Indebtedness of such Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party within 30 days after such notice (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree).

SECTION 5.12. Further Assurances .

(a) Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Loan Party to, execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents), that may be required under any applicable law and that the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request, to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be and remain satisfied, all at the expense of the Loan Parties.

(b) If, after the Effective Date, any material assets (including any owned (but not leased) real property or improvements thereto or any interest therein) with a fair market value in excess of $5,000,000, are acquired by the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party or are held by any Subsidiary on or after the time it

 

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becomes a Loan Party pursuant to Section 5.11 (other than assets constituting Collateral under a Security Document that become subject to the Lien created by such Security Document upon acquisition thereof or constituting Excluded Assets), the Parent Borrower will notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Parent Borrower will cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Secured Obligations and will take and cause the other Loan Parties to take, such actions as shall be necessary and reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (a) of this Section, all at the expense of the Loan Parties and subject to last paragraph of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”.

SECTION 5.13. Ratings . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause (a) the Parent Borrower to continuously have a public corporate credit rating from each of S&P and Moody’s (but not to maintain a specific rating) and (b) the credit facilities made available under this Agreement to be continuously rated by each of S&P and Moody’s (but not to maintain a specific rating).

SECTION 5.14. Certain Post-Closing Obligations . As promptly as practicable, and in any event within the time periods after the Effective Date specified in Schedule 5.14 or such later date as the Administrative Agent reasonably agrees to in writing, including to reasonably accommodate circumstances unforeseen on the Effective Date, Holdings, the Parent Borrower and each other Loan Party shall deliver the documents or take the actions specified on Schedule 5.14 that would have been required to be delivered or taken on the Effective Date but for the proviso to Section 4.01(f), in each case except to the extent otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to its authority as set forth in the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”.

SECTION 5.15. Storage Monetization . Upon the occurrence of Monetization (A) if the Total Leverage Ratio at the time of Monetization is equal to or less than 2.45 to 1.00 after giving effect to the Transactions, then the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall receive cash (by means of a cash contribution to the common capital of the Parent Borrower and/or a repayment of debt owing to the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by Storage Parent or any of its subsidiaries) in an amount equal to the lesser of (y) the net cash proceeds of such disposition received by Target or any of its Affiliates (other than any of its subsidiaries) and (z) the outstanding amount of Storage Investments immediately prior to such time and (B) if the Total Leverage Ratio at the time of such disposition is greater than 2.45 to 1.00, then the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall receive cash (by means of a contribution to its common capital and/or the repayment of debt owing to the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary by Storage Parent or any of its subsidiaries) in an amount equal to the lesser of (y) the net cash proceeds of such disposition received by Target or any of its Affiliates (other than any of its subsidiaries) and (z) the outstanding amount of Storage Investments immediately prior to such time multiplied by two.

SECTION 5.16. Designation of Subsidiaries . The Parent Borrower may at any time after the Effective Date designate any Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower (other than the Co-Borrower) as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) immediately before and after such designation on a Pro Forma Basis, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Parent Borrower shall have a Total Leverage Ratio less than or equal to 3.5 to 1.0 on a Pro Forma Basis as of the end of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), and (iii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or continue as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it is a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of any Indebtedness of Holdings or the Parent Borrower. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Effective Date shall constitute an Investment by the Parent Borrower therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Parent Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) investment therein. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute (i) the incurrence at the time of designation of any Investment, Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time and (ii) a return on any Investment by the Parent Borrower in Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the preceding sentence in an amount equal to the fair market value at the date of such designation of the Parent Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment in such Subsidiary.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Unrestricted Subsidiary that has been re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary may not be subsequently re-designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

SECTION 5.17. Post-Restatement Effective Date Actions .

(a) The Borrowers shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain, as promptly as possible after the Restatement Effective Date, all necessary consents from BNDES for the granting and perfection of security interests by SMART Modular Technologies Industria de Componenentes Electronicos Ltds. (“ SMART Brazil IC ”) in favor of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) in respect of all machinery, equipment and intellectual property owned by SMART Brazil IC.

(b) The Borrowers shall (i) cause, within 45 days after obtaining the consent described in Section 5.17(a) (or by such later date as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree), SMART Brazil IC to enter into a pledge agreement (or an amendment to an existing pledge agreement), on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Parent Borrower, with the Administrative Agent in respect of machinery and equipment owned by SMART Brazil IC (the “ PPE Pledge Agreement ”); provided that the PPE Pledge Agreement shall expressly exclude up to $5 million of machinery and equipment of SMART Brazil IC from the security interest created thereby and (ii) use commercially reasonable best efforts to cause the PPE Pledge Agreement to be filed for registration with the applicable Governmental Authority promptly after execution thereof.

(c) The Borrowers shall cause, within 45 days after obtaining the consent described in Section 5.17(a) (or by such later date as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree), (i) SMART Brazil IC to enter into an amendment to the existing pledge agreement in respect of intellectual property of SMART Brazil IC (the “ IP Pledge Agreement ”), on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Parent Borrower, covering intellectual property acquired or established by SMART Brazil IC since the date of the IP Pledge Agreement and (ii) use commercially reasonable best efforts to cause such amendment to the IP Pledge Agreement to be filed for registration with the applicable Governmental Authority promptly after execution thereof.

(d) The Borrowers shall cause (i) by no later than January 14, 2017 (or such later date as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree), each Brazilian Subsidiary of Parent Borrower to enter into a pledge agreement, on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Parent Borrower, with the Administrative Agent in respect of cash and cash equivalents of such Subsidiary (other than any restricted cash or cash equivalents subject to the Lien described on Schedule 6.02) and (ii) by no later than February 28, 2017 (or such later date as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree), all bank accounts of such Brazilian Subsidiaries (other than any bank accounts that hold less than $1 million in the aggregate and any investment or bank account that holds only restricted cash and cash equivalents excluded from the security interest granted pursuant to the foregoing clause (i)) to be subject to control letters or agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Parent Borrower. It being understood and agreed that in no event shall such pledge agreements or control letters or agreements permit the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party to exercise remedies thereunder (including exercising control over cash and cash equivalents or bank accounts) prior to the earlier to occur of (A) the date that is 30 days after an Event of Default arising under Section 7.01(a) (which Event of Default has not yet been cured as of such date) or (B) the termination of Commitments and acceleration of Loans pursuant to Section 7.01 (whether in connection with an insolvency event or otherwise).

(e) The Borrowers shall cause (i) by no later than January 14, 2017 (or such later date as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree), SMART Brazil IC to enter into a pledge agreement, on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Parent Borrower, with the Administrative Agent in respect of inventory of such Subsidiary (the “ Inventory Pledge Agreement ”) and (ii) use commercially reasonable best efforts to cause the Inventory Pledge Agreement to be filed for registration with the applicable Governmental Authority promptly after execution thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is agreed that (A) the grant of security interests pursuant to the Inventory Pledge Agreement shall be limited to a grant with respect to each material product-family of SMART Brazil IC as identified and described on Schedule 5.17(e) and (B) the Inventory Pledge Agreement shall be filed for registration without any reference to the amount or value of the inventory pledged and in no event shall contain any operational covenants or other limitations with respect to the use, maintenance, storage or sale of such inventory except those applicable after and during the continuance of an Event of Default.

 

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(f) Not more than once per calendar year, commencing on November 30, 2017, the Borrowers shall cause SMART Brazil IC to enter into amendments to the (i) PPE Pledge Agreement and the IP Pledge Agreement in respect of any machinery and equipment and any intellectual property ( provided that such intellectual property is determined, in the reasonable judgement of the Administrative Agent, to be material to the business of SMART Brazil IC), as applicable, that has been acquired or established by SMART Brazil IC after November 30, 2016 and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendments to be filed for registration with the relevant Governmental Authority promptly thereafter and (ii) the Inventory Pledge Agreement in respect of any product family of inventory of SMART Brazil IC not covered by the Inventory Pledge Agreement that has been expanded or established by SMART Brazil IC after November 30, 2016 and is in commercial production (provided that such product family is determined, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, to be material to the business of SMART Brazil IC) and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendments to be filed for registration with the relevant Governmental Authority promptly thereafter.

ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts payable (other than contingent amounts not yet due) under any Loan Document have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired or been terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, each of Holdings and each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities .

(a) Holdings and the Parent Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(i) Indebtedness of Holdings, the Borrowers and any of the other Restricted Subsidiaries under the Loan Documents (including any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 2.21);

(ii) Indebtedness (A) outstanding on the Restatement Effective Date and listed on Schedule 6.01 and any Permitted Refinancing thereof and (B) intercompany Indebtedness outstanding on the Restatement Effective Date and listed on Schedule 6.01 ;

(iii) Guarantees by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that such Guarantee is otherwise permitted by Section 6.04; provided further that (A) no Guarantee by any Restricted Subsidiary of any Junior Financing shall be permitted unless such Restricted Subsidiary shall have also provided a Guarantee of the Loan Document Obligations pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement and (B) if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to the Loan Document Obligations, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the Guarantee of the Loan Document Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the subordination of such Indebtedness;

(iv) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower owing to any Restricted Subsidiary or of any Restricted Subsidiary owing to any other Restricted Subsidiary or the Parent Borrower, Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to the extent permitted by Section 6.04; provided that all such Indebtedness of any Loan Party owing to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated to the Loan Document Obligations (to the extent any such Indebtedness is outstanding at any time after the date that is 30 days after the Effective Date or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree) (but only to the extent permitted by applicable law and not giving rise to material adverse Tax consequences) on terms (i) at least as favorable to the Lenders as those set forth in the form of intercompany note attached as Exhibit J or (ii) otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

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(v) [Intentionally Omitted];

(vi) Indebtedness in respect of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;

(vii) [Intentionally Omitted];

(viii) [Intentionally Omitted.]

(ix) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(x) [Intentionally Omitted];

(xi) [Intentionally Omitted];

(xii) [Intentionally Omitted];

(xiii) Cash Management Obligations and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and similar arrangements, in each case, in connection with deposit accounts;

(xiv) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that at the time of the incurrence thereof and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto and the use of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding in reliance on this clause (xiv) shall not exceed $5,000,000;

(xv) Indebtedness consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(xvi) Indebtedness incurred by the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims;

(xvii) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments related thereto, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(xviii) [Intentionally Omitted];

(xix) [Intentionally Omitted];

(xx) Indebtedness supported by a Letter of Credit, in a principal amount not to exceed the face amount of such Letter of Credit;

(xxi) Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt, and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(xxii) Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt and Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt, and any Permitted Refinancing thereof,

 

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(xxiii) Indebtedness arising from a Permitted Receivables Factoring transaction in effect as of the Restatement Effective Date (and, subject to the definition of “Permitted Receivables Factoring”, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension thereof);

(xxiv) all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (i) through (xxii) above; and

(xxv) the accrual of up to $1,000,000 in any calendar year in respect of management and monitoring fees owed and payable to the Investors (or management companies of the Investors) pursuant to the Investor Management Agreement and any Investor Termination Fees, in each case, prohibited under Section 6.09 to be paid for any period on or after June, 2016.

(b) Holdings and each Intermediate Parent will not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness except Indebtedness created under Sections 6.01(a)(i), (iii), (iv), (vi), (ix) and (xiii), and all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in the foregoing clauses.

(c) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, issue any preferred Equity Interests or any Disqualified Equity Interests, except (A) in the case of Holdings, preferred Equity Interests that are Qualified Equity Interests and (B) in the case of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent, preferred Equity Interests issued to and held by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

SECTION 6.02. Liens . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

(i) Liens created under the Loan Documents;

(ii) Permitted Encumbrances;

(iii) Liens existing on the Restatement Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.02 and any modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (A) such modified, replacement, renewal or extension Lien does not extend to any additional property other than (1) after acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien and (2) proceeds and products thereof, and (B) the obligations secured or benefited by such modified, replacement, renewal or extension Lien are permitted by Section 6.01;

(iv) [Intentionally Omitted];

(v) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to others that do not (A) interfere in any material respect with the business of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (B) secure any Indebtedness;

(vi) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(vii) Liens (A) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection and (B) in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of setoff) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(viii) [Intentionally Omitted];

 

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(ix) [Intentionally Omitted];

(x) Liens granted by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in favor of any Loan Party and Liens granted by a Loan Party in favor of any other Loan Party;

(xi) [Intentionally Omitted];

(xii) any interest or title of a lessor under leases (other than leases constituting Capital Lease Obligations) entered into by any of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(xiii) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods by any of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(xiv) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements under clause (e) of the definition of the term “Permitted Investments”;

(xv) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(xvi) Liens that are contractual rights of setoff (A) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness, (B) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (C) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(xvii) ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries are located;

(xviii) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

(xix) Liens on the Collateral securing Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt and Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt;

(xx) other Liens; provided that at the time of the granting of and after giving Pro Forma Effect to any such Lien and the obligations secured thereby (including the use of proceeds thereof) the aggregate face amount of obligations secured by Liens existing in reliance on this clause (xx) shall not exceed $5,000,000; and

(xxi) Liens arising from UCC financing statements or similar filings evidencing the sales of accounts receivable and related assets pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Factoring transaction in effect as of the Restatement Effective Date (and, subject to the definition of “Permitted Receivables Factoring”, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension thereof).

SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes; Holding Companies .

(a) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, merge into or consolidate or amalgamate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except that:

 

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(i) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge with (A) the Parent Borrower; provided that the Parent Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (B) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more other Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that when any Restricted Subsidiary Loan Party is merging or amalgamating with another Restricted Subsidiary (1) the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Subsidiary Loan Party or (2) if the continuing or surviving Person is not a Subsidiary Loan Party, the acquisition of such Subsidiary Loan Party by such surviving Restricted Subsidiary is otherwise permitted under Section 6.04;

(ii) (A) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (B) any Restricted Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve or change its legal form if Holdings determines in good faith that such action is in the best interests of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders;

(iii) any Restricted Subsidiary may make a Disposition of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Loan Party, then (A) the transferee must be a Loan Party, (B) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment must be a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 6.04 or (C) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition is for fair value and any promissory note or other non-cash consideration received in respect thereof is a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 6.04;

(iv) the Parent Borrower may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with any other Person; provided that (A) the Parent Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (B) if the Person formed by or surviving any such merger or consolidation is not the Parent Borrower (any such Person, the “ Successor Borrower ”), (1) the Successor Borrower shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, (2) the Successor Borrower shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Parent Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Parent Borrower is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (3) each Loan Party other than the Parent Borrower, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have reaffirmed, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that its Guarantee of, and grant of any Liens as security for, the Secured Obligations shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and (4) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such merger, amalgamation or consolidation complies with this Agreement; provided further that (y) if such Person is not a Loan Party, no Default exists after giving effect to such merger or consolidation and (z) if the foregoing requirements are satisfied, the Successor Borrower will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Parent Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided further that the Parent Borrower agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide any documentation and other information about the Successor Borrower as shall have been reasonably requested in writing by any Lender through the Administrative Agent that such Lender shall have reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA Patriot Act;

(v) Holdings or any Intermediate Parent may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with any other Person, so long as no Event of Default exists after giving effect to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation; provided that (A) Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (B) if the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, amalgamation or consolidation is not Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, or is a Person into which Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, has been liquidated (any such Person, the “ Successor Holdings ”), (1) the Successor Holdings shall expressly assume all the obligations of Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Holdings or Intermediate Parent,

 

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as applicable, is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (2) each Loan Party other than Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, unless it is the other party to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, shall have reaffirmed, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that its Guarantee of and grant of any Liens as security for the Secured Obligations shall apply to the Successor Holdings’ obligations under this Agreement, (3) the Successor Holdings shall, immediately following such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, directly or indirectly own all Subsidiaries owned by Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, immediately prior to such transaction, (4) Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such merger or consolidation complies with this Agreement and (5) Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, may not merge, amalgamate or consolidate with the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor or Co-Borrower if any Permitted Holdings Debt is then outstanding unless the Total Leverage Ratio is equal to or less than 3.50 to 1.00 on a Pro Forma Basis; provided further that if the foregoing requirements are satisfied, the Successor Holdings will succeed to, and be substituted for, Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided further that the Parent Borrower agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide any documentation and other information about the Successor Holdings as shall have been reasonably requested in writing by any the Lender through the Administrative Agent that such Lender shall have reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA Patriot Act.

(vi) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with any other Person in order to effect an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 6.04; provided that the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Restricted Subsidiary, which together with each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, shall have complied with the requirements of Sections 5.11 and 5.12 and if the other party to such transaction is not a Loan Party, no Default exists after giving effect to such transaction;

(vii) Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may consummate the Acquisition; and

(viii) any Restricted Subsidiary may effect a merger, dissolution, liquidation consolidation or amalgamation to effect a Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 6.05; provided that if the other party to such transaction is not a Loan Party, no Default exists after giving effect to the transaction.

(b) The Parent Borrower will not, and Holdings and the Parent Borrower will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Effective Date and businesses reasonably related or ancillary thereto.

(c) Holdings and any Intermediate Parent will not conduct, transact or otherwise engage in any business or operations other than (i) the ownership and/or acquisition of the Equity Interests of the Parent Borrower and any Intermediate Parent, (ii) the maintenance of its legal existence, including the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses relating to such maintenance, (iii) participating in tax, accounting and other administrative matters as a member of the consolidated group of Holdings and the Parent Borrower, (iv) the performance of its obligations under and in connection with the Loan Documents, any documentation governing any Indebtedness or Guarantee permitted to be incurred or made by it under Article VI, the Acquisition Agreement, the other agreements contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby and thereby, (v) any public offering of its common stock or any other issuance or registration of its Equity Interests for sale or resale not prohibited by this Agreement, including the costs, fees and expenses related thereto, (vi) any transaction that Holdings or any Intermediate Parent is permitted to enter into or consummate under Article VI (including, but not limited to, the making of any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.08 or holding of any cash or Permitted Investments received in connection with Restricted Payments made in accordance with Section 6.08 pending application thereof in the manner contemplated by Section 6.04, the incurrence of any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by it under Section 6.01 and the making of any Investment permitted to be made by it under Section 6.04),

 

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(vii) incurring fees, costs and expenses relating to overhead and general operating including professional fees for legal, tax and accounting issues and paying taxes, (viii) providing indemnification to officers and directors and as otherwise permitted in Section 6.09, (ix) activities incidental to the consummation of the Transactions and (x) activities incidental to the businesses or activities described in clauses (i) to (ix) of this paragraph.

(d) Holdings and any Intermediate Parent will not own or acquire any assets (other than Equity Interests as referred to in paragraph (c)(i) above, cash, Permitted Investments, intercompany Investments consisting of Indebtedness permitted to be made by it under Section 6.04 or incur any liabilities (other than liabilities as referred to in paragraph (c) above, liabilities imposed by law, including tax liabilities, and other liabilities incidental to its existence and business and activities permitted by this Agreement).

SECTION 6.04. Investments , Loans , Advances , Guarantees and Acquisitions . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, make or hold any Investment, except:

(a) Permitted Investments;

(b) loans or advances to officers, directors and employees of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for reasonable and customary business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes;

(c) Investments (i) by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Loan Party (excluding any new Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Loan Party pursuant to such Investment), (ii) by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in any other Restricted Subsidiary that is also not a Loan Party, (iii) by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (A) in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, constituting an exchange of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary for Indebtedness of such Subsidiary or (B) constituting Guarantees of Indebtedness or other monetary obligations of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties owing to any Loan Party, (iv) by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties so long as such transactions is part of a series of simultaneous transactions that result in the proceeds of the initial Investment being invested in one or more Loan Parties (or, if the initial proceeds were held at a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and (v) by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, consisting of the contribution of Equity Interests of any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party so long as the Equity Interests of the transferee Restricted Subsidiary is pledged to secure the Secured Obligations;

(d) Investments consisting of extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;

(e) Investments (i) existing or contemplated on the Restatement Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.04 ( e ) and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension thereof and (ii) Investments existing on the Restatement Effective Date by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and any modification, renewal or extension thereof; provided that the amount of the original Investment is not increased except by the terms of such Investment to the extent as set forth on Schedule 6.04 ( e ) or as otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04;

(f) Investments in Swap Agreements permitted under Section 6.07;

(g) promissory notes and other non-cash consideration received in connection with Dispositions permitted by Section 6.05;

(h) [Intentionally Omitted];

(i) the Transactions;

 

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(j) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Uniform Commercial Code Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

(k) Investments (including debt obligations and Equity Interests) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers or in settlement of delinquent obligations of, or other disputes with, customers and suppliers or upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment;

(l) loans and advances to Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any Intermediate Parent in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments to the extent permitted to be made to Holdings (or such parent) in accordance with Section 6.08(a)(iv) or (vi);

(m) [Intentionally Omitted];

(n) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;

(o) [Intentionally Omitted];

(p) [Intentionally Omitted];

(q) [Intentionally Omitted]; and

(r) non-cash Investments in connection with tax planning and reorganization activities; provided that after giving effect to any such activities, the security interests of the Lenders in the Collateral, taken as a whole, would not be materially impaired.

SECTION 6.05. Asset Sales . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent, to, (i) sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it or (ii) permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Restricted Subsidiary (other than issuing directors’ qualifying shares, nominal shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Requirements of Law and other than issuing Equity Interests to Holdings, the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in compliance with Section 6.04(c)) (each, a “ Disposition ”), except:

(a) Dispositions of obsolete or worn out property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business and Dispositions of property no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(b) Dispositions of inventory and other assets in the ordinary course of business;

(c) Dispositions of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;

(d) Dispositions of property to the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Loan Party, then (i) the transferee must be a Loan Party, (ii) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment must be a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 6.04 or (iii) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition is for fair value and any promissory note or other non-cash consideration received in respect thereof is a permitted investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 6.04;

 

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(e) Dispositions permitted by Section 6.03, Investments permitted by Section 6.04, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08 and Liens permitted by Section 6.02;

(f) Dispositions of property acquired by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Effective Date pursuant to sale-leaseback transactions permitted by Section 6.06;

(g) Dispositions of Permitted Investments;

(h) Dispositions of accounts receivable (A) in connection with the collection or compromise thereof and (B) together with related assets pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Factoring;

(i) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses, in each case in the ordinary course of business and that do not materially interfere with the business of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(j) transfers of property subject to Casualty Events upon receipt of the Net Proceeds of such Casualty Event;

(k) Dispositions of property to Persons other than Restricted Subsidiaries (including the sale or issuance of Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary) not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.05; provided that (i) no Default shall exist at the time of, or would result from, such Disposition (other than any such Disposition made pursuant to a legally binding commitment entered into at a time when no Default existed or would have resulted from such Disposition) and (ii) with respect to any Disposition pursuant to this clause (k), the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary shall receive all of such consideration in the form of cash or Permitted Investments; provided , however , that for the purposes of this clause (ii), (A) any liabilities (as shown on the most recent balance sheet of Holdings provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations, that are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable Disposition and for which Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and all of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing, shall be deemed to be cash and (B) any securities received by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Permitted Investments (to the extent of the cash or Permitted Investments received) within 180 days following the closing of the applicable Disposition, shall be deemed to be cash;

(l) Dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements; and

(m) Disposition of assets constituting a part of the Storage Business to Storage Parent or any of its subsidiaries in connection with the transition of the Storage Business to stand-alone operations, in each case on or before the date that is two months after the Effective Date;

provided that any Disposition of any property pursuant to this Section 6.05 (except pursuant to Sections 6.05(e), 6.05(m) and except for Dispositions by a Loan Party to another Loan Party), shall be for no less than the fair market value of such property at the time of such Disposition; provided further that notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.05 or Section 6.09 to the contrary, neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent, to make any Dispositions of property to an Affiliate thereof.

SECTION 6.06. Sale and Leaseback Transactions . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now

 

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owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred, except for any such sale of any fixed or capital assets by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the fair value of such fixed or capital asset and is consummated within 270 days after the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, acquires or completes the construction of such fixed or capital asset; provided that, if such sale and leaseback results in a Capital Lease Obligation, such Capital Lease Obligation is permitted by Section 6.01 and any Lien made the subject of such Capital Lease Obligation is permitted by Section 6.02.

SECTION 6.07. Swap Agreements . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has actual exposure (other than those in respect of shares of capital stock or other Equity Interests of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

SECTION 6.08. Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness .

(a) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:

(i) each Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Parent Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

(ii) Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the Equity Interests of such Person; provided that in the case of any such Restricted Payment by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower, such Restricted Payment is made to the Parent Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary based on their relative ownership interests of the relevant class of Equity Interests;

(iii) Restricted Payments made on the Effective Date to consummate the Transactions;

(iv) repurchases of Equity Interests in Holdings (or Restricted Payments by Holdings to allow repurchases of Equity Interest in any direct or indirect parent of Holdings), the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

(v) [Intentionally Omitted];

(vi) any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments in cash to SMART Global Holdings, Inc., Holdings and any Intermediate Parent and, where applicable, Holdings and such Intermediate Parent may make Restricted Payments in cash in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 after the Restatement Effective Date and prior to the first anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date and $200,000 for each year thereafter;

(A) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to pay its Tax liability to the relevant jurisdiction in respect of consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated returns attributable to the income of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided that Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (a)(vi)(A) shall not exceed the Tax liability that the Parent Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries (as applicable) would have incurred were such Taxes determined as if such entity(ies) were a stand-alone taxpayer or a stand-alone group; and provided, further, that Restricted Payments under this clause (A) in respect of any Taxes attributable to the income of any Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower may be made only to the extent that such Unrestricted Subsidiaries have made cash payments for such purpose to Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(B) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to pay) its operating expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and other corporate overhead costs and expenses (including administrative, legal, accounting and similar expenses payable to third parties) that are reasonable and customary and incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(C) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to pay) franchise Taxes and other fees, Taxes, and expenses, required to maintain its corporate existence;

(D) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings to make Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08(a)(iv);

(E) [Intentionally Omitted]; and

(F) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) fees and expenses related to any equity or debt offering permitted by this Agreement; and

(vii) redemptions in whole or in part of any of its Equity Interests for another class of its Equity Interests or with proceeds from substantially concurrent equity contributions or issuances of new Equity Interests; provided that such new Equity Interests contain terms and provisions at least as advantageous to the Lenders in all respects material to their interests as those contained in the Equity Interests redeemed thereby.

(b) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any other Restricted Subsidiary to, make or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on any Junior Financing, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Junior Financing, or any other payment (including any payment under any Swap Agreement) that has a substantially similar effect to any of the foregoing, except:

(i) payment of regularly scheduled interest and principal payments as, in the form of payment and when due in respect of any Indebtedness, other than payments in respect of any Junior Financing prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof; and

(ii) the conversion of any Junior Financing to Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of Holdings or any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any Intermediate Parent.

SECTION 6.09. Transactions with Affiliates . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (i) transactions with Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any Intermediate Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) on terms substantially as favorable to Holdings, the Parent Borrower, such Intermediate Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary as would be obtainable by such Person at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, (iii) the payment of fees and expenses related to the Transactions, (iv) [intentionally omitted], (v) issuances of Equity Interests of Holdings or the Parent Borrower to the extent otherwise permitted by this Agreement, (vi) employment and severance arrangements between Holdings, the Parent Borrower any Intermediate Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective

 

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officers and employees in the ordinary course of business or otherwise in connection with the Transactions (including loans and advances pursuant to Section 6.04(n)), (vii) payments by Holdings (and any direct or indirect parent thereof), the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing agreements among Holdings (and any such parent thereof), any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on customary terms to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent payments are permitted by Section 6.08, (viii) the payment of customary fees and reasonable out-of-pocket costs to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, directors, officers and employees of Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any Intermediate Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (ix) transactions pursuant to permitted agreements in existence or contemplated on the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.09 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not adverse to the Lenders in any material respect, (x) Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.08 and (xi) customary payments by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiaries to the Sponsors made for any financial advisory, consulting, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities (including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures), which payments are approved by the majority of the members of the board of directors or a majority of the disinterested members of the board of directors of Holdings in good faith. The payment of management and monitoring fees to the Investors (or management companies of the Investors) pursuant to the Investor Management Agreement and any Investor Termination Fees for any period on or after June, 2016 shall be prohibited; provided that such prohibition shall remain in effect only so long as any Term Loans are outstanding.

SECTION 6.10. Restrictive Agreements . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary Loan Party to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets to secure the Secured Obligations or (b) the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to any Restricted Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) shall not apply to any such restrictions that (i) (x) exist on the Effective Date and (to the extent not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.10) are listed on Schedule 6.10 and (y) any renewal or extension of a restriction permitted by clause (i)(x) or any agreement evidencing such restriction so long as such renewal or extension does not expand the scope of such restrictions, (ii) (x) are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such restrictions were not entered into solely in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (y) any renewal or extension of a restriction permitted by clause (ii)(x) or any agreement evidencing such restriction so long as such renewal or extension does not expand the scope of such restrictions, (iii) represent Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party that is permitted by Section 6.01, (iv) are customary restrictions that arise in connection with any Disposition permitted by Section 6.05 applicable pending such Disposition solely to the assets subject to such Disposition, (v) are customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures permitted under Section 6.04, (vi) are negative pledges and restrictions on Liens in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 but solely to the extent any negative pledge relates to the property financed by or securing such Indebtedness (and excluding in any event any Indebtedness constituting any Junior Financing), (vii) are imposed by Requirements of Law, (viii) are customary restrictions contained in leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions relate only to the assets subject thereto, (ix) [intentionally omitted], (x) are customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (xi) are customary provisions restricting assignment of any license, lease or other agreement, (xii) are restrictions on cash (or Permitted Investments) or deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business (or otherwise constituting Permitted Encumbrances on such cash or Permitted Investments or deposits) or (xiii) are customary net worth provisions contained in real property leases or licenses of Intellectual Property entered into by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the Parent Borrower has determined in good faith that such net worth provisions could not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Parent Borrower and its subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligation.

 

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SECTION 6.11. Amendment of Junior Financing . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, amend, modify, waive, terminate or release the documentation governing any other Junior Financing, in each case if the effect of such amendment, modification, waiver, termination or release is materially adverse to the Lenders.

SECTION 6.12. Financial Covenants .

(a) If on the last day of any Test Period any Revolving Loans or more than $1,000,000 of Letters of Credit are outstanding (but not including any cash collateralized Letter of Credit exposure), the Parent Borrower will not permit the Secured Net Leverage Ratio to exceed 4.50 to 1.00 as of the last day of such Test Period.

(b) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, incur or make any Capital Expenditures in excess of $20,000,000 in any four consecutive fiscal quarter period.

SECTION 6.13. Changes in Fiscal Periods . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will make any change in fiscal year; provided , however , that Holdings and the Parent Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, change its fiscal year to any other fiscal year reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in which case, Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary to reflect such change in fiscal year.

ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

SECTION 7.01. Events of Default . If any of the following events (any such event, an “ Event of Default ”) shall occur:

(a) any Loan Party shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b) any Loan Party shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than in amount referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section) payable under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

(d) Holding, the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Sections 5.02, 5.04 (with respect to the existence of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary), 5.10 or in Article VI (other than Section 6.09); provided that (i) any Event of Default under Sections 6.12(a) is subject to cure as provided in Section 7.02 and an Event of Default with respect to such Section shall not occur until the expiration of the 10th day subsequent to the date the financial statements with respect to any fiscal quarter is required to be delivered and (ii) a default by the Borrower under Section 6.12(a) shall not constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Term Loans unless and until the Required Lenders with respect to the Revolving Loans

 

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shall have terminated their Revolving Commitments and declared all amounts under the Revolving Loans to be due and payable (such period commencing with a default under Section 6.12(a) and ending on the date on which the Required Lenders with respect to the Revolving Facility terminate and accelerate the Revolving Loans, the “ Term Loan Standstill Period ”);

(e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (d) of this Section), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Parent Borrower;

(f) Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable (after giving effect to any applicable grace period);

(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity, provided that this paragraph (g) shall not apply to (i) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the sale, transfer or other disposition (including as a result of a casualty or condemnation event) of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (to the extent such sale, transfer or other disposition is not prohibited under this Agreement) or (ii) termination events or similar events occurring under any Swap Agreement that constitutes Material Indebtedness (it being understood that paragraph (f) of this Section will apply to any failure to make any payment required as a result of any such termination or similar event);

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, court protection, reorganization or other relief in respect of Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or its debts, or of a material part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, examiner, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or for a material part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed or unstayed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i) Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, court protection, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in paragraph (h) of this Section, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, examiner, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or for a material part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding or (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

(j) one or more enforceable judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $15,000,000 (to the extent not covered by insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment or order and has not denied coverage shall be rendered against Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any judgment creditor shall legally attach or levy upon assets of such Loan Party that are material to the businesses and operations of Holdings, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to enforce any such judgment;

 

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(k) (i) an ERISA Event occurs that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party under Title N of ERISA in an aggregate amount that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(l) any Lien purported to be created under any Security Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by any Loan Party not to be, a valid and perfected Lien on any material portion of the Collateral, with the priority required by the applicable Security Document, except (i) as a result of the sale or other disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents, (ii) as a result of the Administrative Agent’s failure to (A) maintain possession of any stock certificates, promissory notes or other instruments delivered to it under the Security Documents or (B) file Uniform Commercial Code continuation statements, (iii) as to Collateral consisting of real property to the extent that such losses are covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and such insurer has not denied coverage or (iv) as a result of acts or omissions of the Administrative Agent or any Lender;

(m) any material provision of any Loan Document or any Guarantee of the Loan Document Obligations shall for any reason be asserted by any Loan Party not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of any Loan Party thereto other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder;

(n) any Guarantees of the Loan Document Obligations by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or Subsidiary Loan Party pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement shall cease to be in full force and effect (in each case, other than in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents);

(o) a Change in Control shall occur;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to Holdings or the Parent Borrower described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders (or, if a Financial Performance Covenant Event of Default occurs and is continuing and prior to the expiration of the Term Loan Standstill Period, at the request of the Required Revolving Lenders only, and in such case only with respect to the Revolving Commitments, Swingline Commitments, and any Letters of Credit) shall, by notice to the Parent Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Parent Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Parent Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to Holdings or the Parent Borrower described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Parent Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Parent Borrower.

SECTION 7.02. Right to Cure .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 7.01, in the event that the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries fail to comply with the requirements of the Financial Performance Covenant as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower, at any time after the beginning of such fiscal quarter until the expiration of the 10th day subsequent to the earlier of (i) the date on which a Compliance Certificate with respect to such fiscal quarter (or the fiscal year ended on the last day of such fiscal quarter) is delivered in accordance with Section 5.01(d) and (ii) the date on which the financial statements with respect to such fiscal quarter (or the fiscal year ended on the last day of such fiscal quarter) are required to be delivered pursuant to

 

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Section 5.01(a) or (b), as applicable, Holdings shall have the right to issue Qualified Equity Interests for cash or otherwise receive cash contributions to the capital of Holdings as cash common equity or other Qualified Equity Interests (which Holdings shall contribute through its subsidiaries of which the Parent Borrower is a subsidiary to the Borrower as cash common equity) (collectively, the “ Cure Right ”), and upon the receipt by the Parent Borrower of the Net Proceeds of such issuance (the “ Cure Amount ”) pursuant to the exercise by Holdings of such Cure Right such Financial Performance Covenant shall be recalculated giving effect to the following pro forma adjustment:

(1) Consolidated EBITDA shall be increased with respect to such applicable fiscal quarter and any four fiscal quarter period that contains such fiscal quarter, solely for the purpose of measuring the Financial Performance Covenant and not for any other purpose under this Agreement, by an amount equal to the Cure Amount; and

(2) if, after giving effect to the foregoing pro forma adjustment (without giving effect to any repayment of any Indebtedness with any portion of the Cure Amount or any portion of the Cure Amount on the balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, with respect to such fiscal quarter only), the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall then be in compliance with the requirements of the Financial Performance Covenants, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of the Financial Performance Covenant as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of the Financial Performance Covenant that had occurred shall be deemed cured for the purposes of this Agreement;

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) in each four consecutive fiscal quarter period of the Parent Borrower there shall be at least two fiscal quarters in which the Cure Right is not exercised, (ii) during the term of this Agreement, the Cure Right shall not be exercised more than five times and (iii) for purposes of this Section 7.02, the Cure Amount shall be no greater than the amount required for purposes of complying with the Financial Performance Covenant and any amounts in excess thereof shall not be deemed to be a Cure Amount. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Cure Amount received pursuant to any exercise of the Cure Right shall be disregarded for purposes of determining any financial ratio-based conditions, pricing or any available basket under Article VI of this Agreement and there shall not have been a breach of any covenant under Article VI of this Agreement by reason of having no longer included such Cure Amount in any basket during the relevant period.

SECTION 7.03. Application of Proceeds . After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 7.01, any amounts received on account of the Secured Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 4.02 of the Collateral Agreement and/or the similar provisions in the other Security Documents.

ARTICLE VIII

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as Administrative Agent in the heading of this Agreement to serve as administrative agent, collateral agent and trustee under the Loan Documents, and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and none of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any such provisions.

The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender or an Issuing Bank as any other Lender or Issuing Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

 

 

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The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or to exercise any discretionary power, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any other Subsidiary or any other Affiliate of any of the foregoing that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 2.05(j) or Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by Holdings, the Parent Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Bank, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or satisfaction of any condition that expressly refers to the matters described therein being acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not have any liability arising from any confirmation of the Revolving Exposure or the component amounts thereof.

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person (including, if applicable, a Responsible Officer or Financial Officer of such Person). The Administrative Agent also may rely, and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person (including, if applicable, a Financial Officer or a Responsible Officer of such Person). The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Parent Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

The Administrative Agent may perform any of and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any of and all their duties and exercise their rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

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Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign upon 30 days’ notice to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Parent Borrower. If the Administrative Agent becomes a Defaulting Lender and is not performing its role hereunder as Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may be removed as the Administrative Agent hereunder at the request of the Parent Borrower and the Required Lenders. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation or upon such removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the Parent Borrower’s consent, to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be an Approved Bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such Approved Bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by Holdings and the Parent Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

Each Lender and each Issuing Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Joint Bookrunner or any other Lender or any Issuing Bank, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Joint Bookrunner or any other Lender or any Issuing Bank, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement and funding its Loans on the Effective Date, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or Refinancing Amendment pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders on the Effective Date.

No Lender shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce any Guarantee of the Secured Obligations, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders in accordance with the terms thereof. In the event of a foreclosure by the Administrative Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition, and the Administrative Agent, as agent for and representative of the Lenders (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders at such sale or other disposition. Each Lender, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral and of the Guarantees of the Secured Obligations, to have agreed to the foregoing provisions.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither any Joint Bookrunner nor any Person named on the cover page of this Agreement as a Joint Lead Arranger or a Syndication Agent shall have any duties or obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except in its capacity, as applicable, as a Lender or an Issuing Bank), but all such Persons shall have the benefit of the indemnities provided for hereunder, including under Section 9.03, fully as if named as an indemnitee or indemnified person therein and irrespective of whether the indemnified losses, claims, damages, liabilities and/or related expenses arise out of, in connection with or as a result of matters arising prior to, on or after the effective date of any Loan Document.

 

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To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. Without limiting or expanding the provisions of Section 2.17, each Lender shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent against, and shall make payable in respect thereof within 30 days after demand therefor, any and all Taxes and any and all related losses, claims, liabilities and expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent) incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority as a result of the failure of the Administrative Agent to properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including, without limitation, because the appropriate form was not delivered or not property executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of withholding tax ineffective). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due the Administrative Agent under this paragraph. The agreements in this paragraph shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other obligations under any Loan Document.

Each party to this Agreement hereby appoints the Administrative Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the relevant Security Documents, acknowledges that the Administrative Agent is the beneficiary of the parallel debt referred to in the relevant Security Documents and the Administrative Agent will accept the parallel debt arrangements reflected in the relevant Security Documents on its behalf and will enter into the relevant Security Documents as pledgee in its own name.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.01. Notices . All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier services, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax or other electronic transmission, as follows:

(a) If to Holdings, to c/o SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., 39870 Eureka Drive, Newark, California, 94560-4809, Attention: Bruce Goldberg, Fax 510-624-8231, Email: bruce.goldberg@smartm.com or if to the Parent Borrower, to SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., 39870 Eureka Drive, Newark, California, 94560-4809, Attention: Bruce Goldberg, Fax 510-624- 8231, Email: bruce.goldberg@smartm.com;

(b) If to the Administrative Agent, to Barclays Bank PLC, Bank Debt Management Group, 745 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, Attn: Christopher R. Lee, Tel: (212) 526-0732, Fax: (212) 220-9646, Email: christopher.r.lee@barclays.com;

(c) if to any Issuing Bank, to it at its address (or fax number or email address) most recently specified by it in a notice delivered to the Administrative Agent, Holdings and the Parent Borrower (or, in the absence of any such notice, to the address (or fax number or email address) set forth in the Administrative Questionnaire of the Lender that is serving as such Issuing Bank or is an Affiliate thereof);

(d) if to any Swingline Lenders, to it at its address (or fax number or email address) most recently specified by it in a notice delivered to the Administrative Agent, Holdings and the Parent Borrower (or, in the absence of any such notice, to the address (or fax number or email address) set forth in the Administrative Questionnaire of the Lender that is serving as such Swingline Lender or is an Affiliate thereof); and

(e) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or fax number or email address) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

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Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by fax or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient).

Holdings and the Parent Borrower may change their address, email or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may change its address, email or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to Holdings and the Parent Borrower and the Lenders may change their address, email or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Administrative Agent. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereunder may also be delivered or furnished by electronic transmission (including email and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to Article II if such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic transmission.

SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments .

(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time. No notice or demand on the Borrower or Holdings in any case shall entitle the Borrower or Holdings to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) Except as provided in Section 2.21 with respect to any Refinancing Amendment, neither any Loan Document nor any provision thereof may be waived, amended or modified except, in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Required Lenders or, in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto, in each case with the consent of the Required Lenders, provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender (it being understood that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02 or the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Commitment of any Lender), (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that any change to the definition of Secured Leverage Ratio or in the component definitions thereof shall not constitute a reduction of interest or fees), provided that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to waive any obligation of the Parent Borrower to pay default interest pursuant to Section 2.13(c), (iii) postpone the maturity of any Loan, or the date of any scheduled amortization payment of the principal amount of any Term Loan under Section 2.10 or the applicable Refinancing Amendment, or the reimbursement date with respect to any LC Disbursement, or any date for the payment of any interest or fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written

 

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consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of the Lenders holding a Majority in Interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of each adversely affected Class, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, provided that any such change which is in favor of a Class of Lenders holding Loans maturing after the maturity of other Classes of Lenders (and only takes effect after the maturity of such other Classes of Loans or Commitments will require the written consent of the Required Lenders with respect to each Class directly and adversely affected thereby, (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section or the percentage set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (or each Lender of such Class, as the case may be), (vii) release all or substantially all the value of the Guarantees under the Guarantee Agreement (except as expressly provided in the Guarantee Agreement) without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender), (viii) release all or substantially all the Collateral from the Liens of the Security Documents, without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) (except as expressly provided in the Security Documents), (ix) change any provisions of any Loan Document in a manner that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of payments due to Lenders holding Loans of any Class differently than those holding Loans of any other Class, without the written consent of Lenders (other than a Defaulting Lender) holding a Majority in Interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of each affected Class, (x) modify the protections afforded to an SPV pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.04(e) without the written consent of such SPV or (xi) change the rights of the Term Lenders to decline mandatory prepayments as provided in Section 2.11 or the rights of any Additional Lenders of any Class to decline mandatory prepayments of Term Loans of such Class as provided in the applicable Refinancing Amendment, without the written consent of a Majority in Interest of the Term Lenders or Additional Lenders of such Class, as applicable; provided further that (A) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Swingline Lender, as the case may be, and (B) any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be amended by an agreement in writing entered into by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency so long as, in each case, the Lenders shall have received at least five Business Days’ prior written notice thereof and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date of such notice to the Lenders, a written notice from the Required Lenders stating that the Required Lenders object to such amendment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent, Holdings and the Parent Borrower (i) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (ii) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Lenders prior to such inclusion, (b) guarantees, collateral security documents and related documents executed by Foreign Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement may be in a form reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and may be, together with this Agreement, amended and waived with the consent of the Administrative Agent at the request of the Parent Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any other Lender if such amendment or waiver is delivered in order (i) to comply with local law or advice of local counsel, (ii) to cure ambiguities or defects or (iii) to cause such guarantee, collateral security document or other document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (c) this Agreement and other Loan Documents may be amended or supplemented by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Loan Party as to which such agreement or agreements is to apply, without the need to obtain the consent of any Lender, to include “parallel debt” or similar provisions, and any authorizations or granting of powers by the Lenders and the other Secured Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent, in each case required to create in favor of the Administrative Agent any security interest contemplated to be created under this Agreement, or to perfect any such security interest, where the Administrative Agent shall have been advised by its counsel that such provisions are necessary or advisable under local law for such purpose (with Holdings and the Parent Borrower hereby agreeing to, and to cause their subsidiaries to, enter into any such agreement or agreements upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent promptly upon such request). Notwithstanding the foregoing (x) amendments to or waivers of Section 6.12(a) (or any component definition

 

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thereof as it relates to Section 6.12(a)) will require only the written approval of a Majority in Interest of the outstanding Revolving Commitments and the Parent Borrower and (y) any change to the provisions of Section 4.02 of the Collateral Agreement and/or any change to similar provisions in the other Security Documents, will require the written approval of each Revolving Lender.

(c) In connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination (a “ Proposed Change ”) requiring the consent of all Lenders or all directly and adversely affected Lenders, if the consent of the Required Lenders (and, to the extent any Proposed Change requires the consent of Lenders holding Loans of any Class pursuant to clause (iv), (vii) or (ix) of paragraph (b) of this Section, the consent of a Majority in Interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of such Class) to such Proposed Change is obtained, but the consent to such Proposed Change of other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is not obtained as described in paragraph (b) of this Section being referred to as a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”), then, so long as the Lender that is acting as Administrative Agent is not a Non-Consenting Lender, the Parent Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Non-Consenting Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Non-Consenting Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which Eligible Assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that (a) the Parent Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent to the extent such consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable (and, if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, each Principal Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (b) such Non- Consenting Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the Eligible Assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Parent Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (c) unless waived, the Parent Borrower or such Eligible Assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b).

(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary, the Revolving Commitments, Term Loans and Revolving Exposure of any Lender that is at the time (i) an Affiliated Lender (other than a Silver Lake Debt Fund) or (ii) a Defaulting Lender shall not have any voting or approval rights under the Loan Documents and shall be excluded in determining whether all Lenders (or all Lenders of a Class), all affected Lenders (or all affected Lenders of a Class), a Majority in Interest of Lenders of any Class or the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to this Section 9.02); provided that any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

(e) In the event that S&P, Moody’s and Thompson’s BankWatch (or InsuranceWatch Ratings Service, in the case of Lenders that are insurance companies (or Best’s Insurance Reports, if such insurance company is not rated by Insurance Watch Ratings Service)) shall, after the date that any Lender becomes a Revolving Lender, downgrade the long term certificate deposit ratings of such Lender, and the resulting ratings shall be below BBB-, Baa3 and C (or BB, in the case of a Lender that is an insurance company (or B, in the case of an insurance company not rated by InsuranceWatch Ratings Service)), then each Principal Issuing Bank shall have the right, but not the obligation, at its own expense, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, to replace such Lender with an Eligible Assignee (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in paragraph (b) above), and such Lender hereby agrees to transfer and assign without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in paragraph (b) above) all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to such Eligible Assignee; provided , however , that (i) no such assignment shall conflict with any law, rule and regulation or order of any Governmental Authority, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the Eligible Assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Parent Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), (iii) the Principal Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and such Eligible Assignee shall have received the prior written consent of the Parent Borrower to the extent such consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld and (iv) the Parent Borrower or such Eligible Assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b).

 

 

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(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary, each Affiliated Lender (other than a Silver Lake Debt Fund) hereby agrees that, if a proceeding under the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law shall be commenced by or against the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party at a time when such Lender is an Affiliated Lender, such Affiliated Lender irrevocably authorizes and empowers the Administrative Agent to vote on behalf of such Affiliated Lender with respect to the Loans held by such Affiliated Lender in any manner in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, unless the Administrative Agent instructs such Affiliated Lender to vote, in which case such Affiliated Lender shall vote with respect to the Loans held by it as the Administrative Agent directs; provided that such Affiliated Lender shall be entitled to vote in accordance with its sole discretion (and not in accordance with the direction of the Administrative Agent) in connection with any plan of reorganization to the extent any such plan of reorganization proposes to treat any Secured Obligations held by such Affiliated Lender in a manner that is less favorable in any material respect to such Affiliated Lender than the proposed treatment of similar Secured Obligations held by Lenders that are not Affiliates of the Borrower.

SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

(a) The Parent Borrower shall pay, if the Effective Date occurs, (i) all reasonable and documented out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (without duplication), including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, and to the extent reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be necessary, one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, in each case for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented or invoiced out of pocket expenses incurred by each Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable and documented or invoiced out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit; provided that such counsel shall be limited to one lead counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction and, in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel per affected party.

(b) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable and documented out of pocket fees and expenses of one counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction (and, in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel) for all Indemnitees (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of any Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties to the Loan Documents of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) to the extent in any way arising from or relating to any of the foregoing, any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on, at, to or from any Mortgaged Property or any other property currently or formerly owned or operated by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any other Environmental Liability related in any way to Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim,

 

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litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (i) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of, or a material breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties or (ii) any dispute between and among indemnified persons that does not involve an act or omission by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries except that each Agent and Joint Lead Arrangers shall be indemnified in their capacities as such.

(c) To the extent that the Parent Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, any Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, and without limiting the Parent Borrower’s obligation to do so, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, such Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, such Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank in its capacity as such. For purposes hereof, a Lender’s “pro rata share” shall be determined based upon its share of the aggregate Revolving Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments at the time. The obligations of the Lenders under this paragraph (c) are subject to the last sentence of Section 2.02(a) (which shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Lenders’ obligations under this paragraph (c)).

(d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, none of Holdings or the Parent Borrower shall assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such damages are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of, or a breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties, or (ii) on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than 10 Business Days after written demand therefor; provided , however , that any Indemnitee shall promptly refund an indemnification payment received hereunder to the extent that there is a final judicial determination that such Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification with respect to such payment pursuant to this Section 9.03.

SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns .

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Parent Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Parent Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraphs (b)(ii) and (g) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent

 

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(such consent (except with respect to assignments to competitors of the Parent Borrower) not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of (A) the Parent Borrower, provided that no consent of the Parent Borrower shall be required (i) during the first 30 days after the Effective Date, (ii) for an assignment by a Term Lender to any Lender or an Affiliate of any Lender, by a Term Lender to an Approved Fund, (iii) if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee or (iv) after the first anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date if the Term Loans are still outstanding as of such date in an aggregate principal amount of at least $100,000,000; provided further that the Parent Borrower shall have the right to withhold its consent to any assignment if, in order for such assignment to comply with applicable law, the Parent Borrower would be required to obtain the consent of, or make any filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority, (B) the Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or to the Parent Borrower or any Affiliate thereof and (C) each Principal Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender, provided that no consent of any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan or Term Commitment. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9.04 to the contrary, if any Person the consent of which is required by this paragraph with respect to any assignment of Term Loans has not given the Administrative Agent written notice of its objection to such assignment within 10 Business Days after written notice to such Person, such Person shall be deemed to have consented to such assignment.

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions: (A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the trade date specified in the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment or, if no trade date is so specified, as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than, in the case of a Revolving Loan or Revolving Commitment, $2,500,000 or, in the case of a Term Loan, $1,000,000, unless the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), provided that no such consent of the Parent Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing, (B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause (B) shall not be construed to prohibit assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans, (C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together (unless waived by the Administrative Agent) with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, provided that assignments made pursuant to Section 2.19(b) or Section 9.02(c) shall not require the signature of the assigning Lender to become effective, (D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent any tax forms required by Section 2.17(e) and an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level   information (which may contain material non-public information about the Parent Borrower, the Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws and (E) unless the Parent Borrower otherwise consents, no assignment of all or any portion of the Revolving Commitment of a Lender that is also a Swingline Lender or an Issuing Bank may be made unless (1) the assignee shall be or become a Swingline Lender and/or an Issuing Bank, as applicable, and assume a ratable portion of the rights and obligations of such assignor in its capacity as Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, or (2) the assignor agrees, in its discretion, to retain all of its rights with respect to and obligations to make or issue Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit, as applicable, hereunder in which case the Applicable Fronting Exposure of such assignor may exceed such assignor’s Revolving Commitment for purposes of Sections 2.04(a) and 2.05(b) by an amount not to exceed the difference between the assignor’s Revolving Commitment prior to such assignment and the assignor’s Revolving Commitment following such assignment; provided that no such consent of the Parent Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(g) or (h) has occurred and is continuing.

(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(v) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and

 

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obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of (and subject to the obligations and limitations of) Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and to any fees payable hereunder that have accrued for such Lender’s account but have not yet been paid). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c)(i) of this Section.

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Parent Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Parent Borrower, the Issuing Banks and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire and any tax forms required by Section 2.17(e) (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(vi) The words “execution”, “signed”, “signature” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

(c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lenders, sell participations to one or more banks or other Persons (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it), provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents, provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that directly and adversely affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Parent Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of (and subject to the obligations and limitations of) Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender.

 

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(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or Section 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior consent. A Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agreed, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 2.17(e) as though it were a Lender.

(d) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent, at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest, provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “ Granting Lender ”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “ SPV ”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, the option to provide to the Parent Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Parent Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. The making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender). In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPV, such party will not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPV any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.04, any SPV may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by the Parent Borrower and Administrative Agent) providing liquidity or credit support to or for the account of such SPV to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPV.

(f) Any Lender may, at any time, assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to the Sponsors or any of their respective Affiliates (other than Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries) subject to the following limitations:

(1) Affiliated Lenders will not receive information provided solely to Lenders by the Administrative Agent or any Lender and will not be permitted to attend or participate in meetings attended solely by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, other than the right to receive notices of Borrowings, notices of prepayments and other administrative notices in respect of its Loans or Commitments required to be delivered to Lenders pursuant to Article II; provided , however , that the foregoing provisions of this clause (1) will apply to the Silver Lake Debt Funds only to the extent that the Administrative Agent has determined in good faith that affording such rights to the Silver Lake Debt Funds during a period or in connection with a matter or matters being considered by Lenders would be inadvisable in light of the Silver Lake Debt Funds’ status as an Affiliated Lender (in which case the Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Silver Lake Debt Funds that are Lenders of such determination);

 

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(2) for purposes of any amendment, waiver or modification of any Loan Document (including such modifications pursuant to Section 9.02), or, subject to Section 9.02(f), any plan of reorganization pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, that in either case does not require the consent of each Lender or each affected Lender or does not adversely affect such Affiliated Lender in any material respect as compared to other Lenders, Affiliated Lenders will be deemed to have voted in the same proportion as the Lenders that are not Affiliated Lenders voting on such matter; and each Affiliated Lender hereby acknowledges, agrees and consents that if, for any reason, its vote to accept or reject any plan pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code is not deemed to have been so voted, then such vote will be (x) deemed not to be in good faith and (y) “designated” pursuant to Section 1126(e) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code such that the vote is not counted in determining whether the applicable class has accepted or rejected such plan in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code; provided that Affiliated Debt Funds will not be subject to such voting limitations and will be entitled to vote as any other Lender;

(3) Affiliated Lenders may not purchase Revolving Loans by assignment pursuant to this Section 9.04;

(4) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans purchased by assignment pursuant to this Section 9.04 and held at any one time by Affiliated Lenders (other than Silver Lake Debt Funds) may not exceed 20% of the original principal amount of all Term Loans on the Effective Date; and

(g) Notwithstanding anything in Section 9.02 or the definition of “Required Lenders” to the contrary, for purposes of determining whether the Required Lenders have (i) consented (or not consented) to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any of the terms of any Loan Document or any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, (ii) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document, or (iii) directed or required the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, all Term Loans held by any Affiliated Lenders that are not Silver Lake Debt Funds shall be deemed to be not outstanding for all purposes of calculating whether the Required Lenders have taken any actions.

SECTION 9.05. Survival . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, in the event that, in connection with the refinancing or repayment in full of the credit facilities provided for herein, an Issuing Bank shall have provided to the Administrative Agent a written consent to the release of the Revolving Lenders from their obligations hereunder with respect to any Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (whether as a result of the obligations of the Parent Borrower (and any other account party) in respect of such Letter of Credit having been collateralized in full by a deposit of cash with such Issuing Bank or being supported by a letter of credit that names such Issuing Bank as the beneficiary thereunder, or otherwise), then from and after such time such Letter of Credit shall cease to be a “Letter of Credit” outstanding hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the Revolving Lenders shall be deemed to have no participations in such Letter of Credit, and no obligations with respect thereto, under Section 2.05(e) or (f).

 

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SECTION 9.06. Counterparts ; Integration ; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or the syndication of the Loans and Commitments constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 9.07. Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff . If an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, any such Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Parent Borrower then due and owing under this Agreement held by such Lender or Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or Issuing Bank different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness. The applicable Lender and applicable Issuing Bank shall notify the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such setoff and application, provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such setoff and application under this Section. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates may have.

SECTION 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .

(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b) Each of Holdings and each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in any Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to any Loan Document against Holdings, the Borrowers or their respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each of Holdings and each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

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(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in any Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

SECTION 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

SECTION 9.11. Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 9.12. Confidentiality .

(a) Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, trustees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other agents and advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential and any failure of such Persons to comply with this Section 9.12 shall constitute a breach of this Section 9.12 by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the relevant Lender, as applicable), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority required by applicable law or by any subpoena or similar legal process provided that unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall notify the Parent Borrower of any request by any governmental agency or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with an examination of the financial condition of such Lender by such governmental agency or other routine examinations of such Lender by such governmental agency) for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of such information, and provided , further , that in no event shall any Lender or the Administrative Agent be obligated or required to return any materials furnished by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary of Holdings, (c) to any other party to this Agreement, (d) subject to an agreement containing confidentiality undertakings substantially similar to those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any Swap Agreement relating to any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries and its obligations under the Loan Documents, (e) with the consent of the Parent Borrower, in the case of Information provided by Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower or any other Subsidiary, or (f) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than Holdings or the Parent Borrower. For the purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from Holdings or the Parent Borrower relating to Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any Subsidiary or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by Holdings or the Parent Borrower, provided that, in the case of information received from Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary after the Effective Date, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

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(b) EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 9.12(a) FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING HOLDINGS, THE BORROWERS, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

(c) ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS FURNISHED BY THE BORROWERS OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT, WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT HOLDINGS, THE BORROWERS, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWERS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

SECTION 9.13. USA Patriot Act . Each Lender and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the USA Patriot Act.

SECTION 9.14. Judgment Currency .

(a) If, for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum owing hereunder in one currency into another currency, each party hereto agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction the first currency could be purchased with such other currency on the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which final judgment is given.

(b) The obligations of the Borrowers in respect of any sum due to any party hereto or any holder of any obligation owing hereunder (the “ Applicable Creditor ”) shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “ Judgment Currency ”) other than the currency in which such sum is stated to be due hereunder (the “ Agreement Currency ”), be discharged only to the extent that, on the Business Day following receipt by the Applicable Creditor of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Applicable Creditor may in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency; if the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Applicable Creditor in the Agreement Currency, the Borrowers agree, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Applicable Creditor against such loss. The obligations of the Borrowers under this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of all other amounts owing hereunder.

SECTION 9.15. Release of Liens and Guarantees . A Subsidiary Loan Party (other than a Borrower) shall automatically be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, and all security interests created by the Security Documents in Collateral owned by such Subsidiary Loan Party shall be automatically released, (1) upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by this Agreement as a result of which such Subsidiary Loan Party ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary (including pursuant to a merger with a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party or a designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) or (2) upon the request of the Borrower, in

 

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connection with a transaction permitted under this Agreement, as a result of which such Subsidiary Loan party ceases to be a wholly-owned Subsidiary. Upon any sale or other transfer by any Loan Party (other than to Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower or any other Subsidiary Loan Party) of any Collateral in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, or upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest created under any Security Document in any Collateral or the release of any Loan Party from its Guarantee under the Guarantee Agreement pursuant to Section 9.02, the security interests in such Collateral created by the Security Documents or such guarantee shall be automatically released. Upon termination of the aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit including as a result of obtaining the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank as described in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement), all obligations under the Loan Documents and all security interests created by the Security Documents shall be automatically released. In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 9.16. No Fiduciary Relationship . Each of Holdings and each Borrower, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, agrees that in connection with all aspects of the transactions contemplated hereby and any communications in connection therewith, Holdings, each Borrower, the other Subsidiaries and their Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their Affiliates, on the other hand, will have a business relationship that does not create, by implication or otherwise, any fiduciary duty on the part of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or their Affiliates, and no such duty will be deemed to have arisen in connection with any such transactions or communications.

SECTION 9.17. Obligation Joint and Several . The Borrowers shall have joint and several liability in respect of all Obligations in respect of the Loans (the “ Loan Obligations ”) hereunder and under any other Loan Document to which any Borrower is a party, without regard to any defense (other than the defense that payment in full has been made), setoff or counterclaim which may at any time be available to or be asserted by any other Loan Party against the Lenders, or by any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of the Borrowers) which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of the Borrowers’ liability hereunder, in bankruptcy or in any other instance, and the Loan Obligations of the Borrowers hereunder shall not be conditioned or contingent upon the pursuit by the Lenders or any other person at any time of any right or remedy against the Borrowers or against any other person which may be or become liable in respect of all or any part of the Loan Obligations or against any Collateral or Guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto. The Borrowers hereby acknowledge that this Agreement is the independent and several obligation of each Borrower (regardless of which Borrower shall have delivered a request for borrowings under Section 2.03) and may be enforced against each Borrower separately, whether or not enforcement of any right or remedy hereunder has been sought against any other Borrower. Each Borrower hereby expressly waives, with respect to any of the Loans made to any other Borrower hereunder and any of the amounts owing hereunder by such other Loan Parties in respect of such Loans, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any Lender exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against such other Loan Parties under this Agreement or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or against any other person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of such amounts owing hereunder.

SECTION 9.18. Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

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(b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

[Signature pages intentionally omitted]

 

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Annex B

Schedule 6.01

Existing Indebtedness

 

Agreement

  

Date

  

Loan Party

  

Lender

   Amount
Outstanding
 

Credit Facility

   December 30, 2013    SMART Modular Technologies Indústria de Componentes Eletrônicos Ltda.    Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social    $ 11,800,000  

Credit Facility

   December 30, 2014    SMART Modular Technologies Indústria de Componentes Eletrônicos Ltda.    Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social    $ 16,300,000  

Installment Payment Agreement

   September 24, 2015    SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.    SG Equipment Finance USA Corp.    $ 129,000  

Note Payable

   January 23, 2015    SMART Modular Technologies (DE), Inc.    SMART Global Holdings, Inc.    $ 5,500,111  


Schedule 6.02

Existing Liens

Pursuant to the Guarantee Agreements (i) by and between Itaú Unibanco S.A. (“Itaú Unibanco”) and SMART Modular Technologies Indústria de Componentes Eletrônicos Ltda. (“SMART Brazil”), dated as of February 26, 2015, and (ii) Banco Itaú BBA S/A (“Banco Itaú” and together with “Itaú Unibanco”, “Itau”) and SMART Brazil, dated as of January 21, 2014, pursuant to which SMART Brazil provided restricted cash as collateral under fiduciary credit assignment agreements for the guaranties provided by Itau to the Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social (BNDES). The total balance of the restricted cash as of August 26, 2016 was $6,800,000. SMART Modular Technologies do Brasil – Indústria e Comércio de Componentes Ltda. (“SMART do Brasil”) is an intervening consenting party to both agreements.


Schedule 6.04(e)

Existing Investments

Technology Development Agreement, Manufacturing and Licensing Agreement by and between SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. and Xockets, Inc., pursuant to which SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. purchased a $250,000 convertible note issued by Xockets, Inc. and will make two further $250,000 investments in Xockets, Inc. upon the occurrence of certain events.


Schedule 6.09

Existing Affiliate Transactions

 

  1. Global Shared Services Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2011, by and between SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc. and SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings)

 

  2. Malaysia Manufacturing Services Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2011, by and between SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd. and SMART Storage Systems Sdn. Bhd.

 

  3. Malaysia Shared Services Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2011, by and between SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd. and SMART Storage Systems Sdn. Bhd.

 

  4. Newark Manufacturing Services Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2011, by and between SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. and SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc.

 

  5. Agreement for Technology Transfer of Beneficial Ownership in Intangible Property Associated with Enterprise Storage Products, dated as of August 19, 2011, by and among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., SMART Storage Systems (AZ), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd. and SMART Storage Systems LLC.

 

  6. Intellectual Property Cross-License Agreement, dated August 26, 2011 among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd., SMART Storage Systems (AZ), Inc. and SMART Storage Systems, LLC.


Annex C

Final Form

NEITHER THIS WARRANT NOR THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ SECURITIES ACT ”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF APPLICABLE STATES. THESE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND THE APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH LAWS OR EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, AND EXCEPT AS TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SUBSTANTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY SET FORTH HEREIN AND IN THE INVESTORS SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED BELOW). INVESTORS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY MAY BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL RISKS OF THIS INVESTMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME. THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES MAY REQUIRE AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER TO THE EFFECT THAT ANY PROPOSED TRANSFER OR RESALE IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

WARRANT TO PURCHASE ORDINARY SHARES

 

Warrant No.: [A -     ]   

Issued on [•], 20[•]

Void after [•], 20[•]

This certifies that in consideration of value received by the Company (as defined below), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, [•] 1 , a [•] [•], or its Permitted Warrant Transferees (as defined below), is entitled, subject to the terms and conditions of this Warrant, to purchase from the Company at a price per Warrant Share (as defined below) equal to the Exercise Price (as defined below) up to an aggregate of [•] ([•]) Warrant Shares (subject to adjustment as provided herein), upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal offices of the Company, together with a Subscription Form, a Joinder (in each case as defined below) and simultaneous payment of an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying the Exercise Price by the number of Warrant Shares so purchased in lawful money of the United States, or by an election to net exercise as set forth in Section  2.5 . The Exercise Price and the number and character of Warrant Shares purchasable under this Warrant are subject to adjustment as provided herein.

 

1   Each holder to receive individual warrant.


ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS . As used in this Warrant, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below. Capitalized terms used in this Warrant and not otherwise defined herein shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Investors Shareholders Agreement.

Amended Credit Agreement ” means certain Amended Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, by and among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (as successor in interest to SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc. (f/k/a SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., the lenders party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent, as it may be further amended from time to time.

Cayman Court ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a) .

Change of Control Transaction ” means a transaction or transactions involving (i) the Transfer, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of not less than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Transferable Shares (which Transferable Shares to be Transferred may include Transferable Shares held by the Management Investors, the Warrant Investors and/or other holders of Transferable Shares required to be Transferred pursuant to Section 3.7 (Drag-Along Rights) of the Investors Shareholders Agreement or analogous obligations) to one (1) or more Persons (other than the Silver Lake Investors or their affiliated investment funds or their respective portfolio companies) or (ii) (A) the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to a Person or Persons (other than the Silver Lake Investors or their affiliated investment funds or their respective portfolio companies) or (B) the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Company with another Person or Persons (other than the Silver Lake Investors or their affiliated investment funds or their respective portfolio companies), where, immediately after such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, the Persons beneficially owning Ordinary Shares immediately prior to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation do not beneficially own at least fifty (50%) of the outstanding capital stock of the Person surviving such merger, amalgamation or consolidation.

Chosen Court ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a) .

Code ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(a) .

Company ” means SMART Global Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Saleen Holdings, Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company. “Company” shall include, in addition to the Company identified in the preceding sentence, any other entity that succeeds to the Company’s obligations under this Warrant, whether by permitted assignment, by merger or consolidation or otherwise.

Delaware Court ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a) .

Exercise Price ” means $0.01 per Warrant Share. The Exercise Price is subject to adjustment as provided herein.

Fair Market Value ” of Ordinary Shares or any other security or property means, at any time of determination, the fair market value thereof as determined by the Board in good faith, except that (i) if the exercise of this Warrant is in connection with and contingent upon the consummation of a Change of Control Transaction, the fair market value of one Warrant Share

 

2


shall be the fair market value as of the date of the definitive agreement relating to such Change of Control Transaction of consideration to be received in respect of one Ordinary Share in such Change of Control Transaction, as determined by the Board in good faith, (ii) if the exercise of this Warrant is in connection with and contingent upon the consummation of an Initial Public Offering, the fair market value of one Warrant Share shall be the initial offering price to the public in such Initial Public Offering, as set forth on the cover of the final prospectus with respect to such Initial Public Offering, of such number of shares of the Registering Entity as one Ordinary Share would be convertible or exchangeable into at the time of such Initial Public Offering and (iii) if the exercise of this Warrant is in connection with and contingent upon the consummation of a Liquidation, the fair market value of one Warrant Share shall be the fair market value of consideration to be received in respect of one Ordinary Share in such Liquidation, as determined by the Board or the liquidator, as the case may be, in good faith.

First Tranche Warrant Shares ” means, [        ] 2 Warrant Shares.

Holder ” means the duly registered holder of this Warrant under the terms and conditions hereof, including any Permitted Warrant Transferee thereof.

Investors Shareholders Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement of the Company, dated as of the date hereof, including all exhibits, annexes and schedules thereto, as amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time.

Joinder ” means a duly executed joinder agreement to the Investors Shareholders Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B .

Liquidation ” means a liquidation or winding up of the Company.

Ordinary Shares ” means the ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.

Other Holders ” means the duly registered holders of the Other Warrants under the terms and conditions thereof.

Other Warrants ” means the other warrants to purchase Ordinary Shares issued by the Company from time to time pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement.

Permitted Warrant Transferee ” means, with respect to a Holder, (i) a bona fide investment fund, or alternative investment vehicle of a bona fide investment fund that is advised by the investment manager of such Holder, or by an Affiliate of the investment manager of such Holder or (ii) any Person to whom a Holder in its capacity as a Lender (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) transfers any portion of the Term Loan (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) in compliance with the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement and who has executed and delivered a Warrant Transfer Agreement in substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

PFIC ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(a) .

 

2   Each holder to receive pro rata portion of this amount.

 

3


Repurchase ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.4 .

Requisite Warrant Holders ” means, as of any date of determination, the Holders and Other Holders (treated as a single class) holding outstanding Warrants and Other Warrants representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Ordinary Shares for which the outstanding Warrants and Other Warrants are exercisable.

Second Tranche Warrant Shares ” means, [        ] 3 Warrant Shares.

Second Tranche Exercise Condition ” means that all or any portion of the Term Loan (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) is outstanding on the first anniversary of the date hereof.

Subscription Form ” means a duly executed subscription form in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A .

Termination Date ” means the earliest of: (i) (x) with regard to the First Tranche Warrant Shares, 5:00 p.m. New York, New York time on November 5, 2021 or (y) with regard to the Second Tranche Warrant Shares, 5:00 p.m. New York, New York time on November 5, 2022, (ii) the consummation of a Change of Control Transaction, (iii) the consummation of an Initial Public Offering, (iv) a Liquidation, (v) the time and date on which this Warrant has been fully exercised, exchanged or converted into Warrant Shares and (vi) solely in the case of the Second Tranche Warrant Shares, the first anniversary of the date hereof if the Second Tranche Exercise Condition has not been satisfied.

Transaction Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.8 .

Transfer ” includes any sale, assignment, exchange, gift, bequest, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition or encumbrance, whether directly, indirectly, voluntarily, involuntarily, synthetically, in whole or in part, by operation of law or merger, pursuant to judicial process or otherwise. The terms “ Transferor ”, “ Transferee ” and “ Transferable ” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Warrant ” means this Warrant and all warrants issued upon Transfer, division or combination of any thereof or in exchange or substitution therefor. All Warrants shall at all times be identical as to terms and conditions and date, except as to the number of Warrant Shares for which they may be exercised.

Warrant Shares ” means the Ordinary Shares into which this Warrant may be exercised. The number and character of Warrant Shares are subject to adjustment as provided herein, and the term “Warrant Shares” shall include Ordinary Shares and other securities and property at any time receivable or issuable upon exercise of this Warrant taking into account all such adjustments.

 

3   Each holder to receive a pro rata portion of this amount.

 

4


ARTICLE 2. EXERCISE TERMS .

2.1 Method of Exercise . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Warrant, the Holder may exercise this Warrant in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on any Business Day before the applicable Termination Date, for up to that number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder; provided, that this Warrant may not be exercised with respect to any Second Tranche Warrant Shares unless the Second Tranche Exercise Condition is satisfied. This Warrant shall be exercised (a) by surrendering this Warrant (or an indemnification undertaking reasonably satisfactory to the Company from a creditworthy entity with respect to this Warrant in the case of its loss, theft or destruction) at the principal offices of the Company, along with a Subscription Form and Joinder duly executed by the Holder, and (b) (i) by payment in a form specified in Section 2.2 of an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the number of Warrant Shares to be purchased by the Holder by (B) the Exercise Price, each as determined in accordance with the terms hereof, or (ii) if applicable, by an election to net exercise the Warrant as provided in Section 2.5 for the number of Warrant Shares to be acquired in connection with such exercise. In connection with any exercise of this Warrant in connection with a Change of Control Transaction, an Initial Public Offering, a Liquidation, a Tag-Along Sale or a Repurchase, the Holder may, by indication on the Subscription Form, elect for such exercise and payment to be contingent upon consummation of such transaction.

2.2 Form of Payment . Payment for the Warrant Shares upon exercise may be made by (a) a certified or official bank check payable to the Company’s order, (b) wire transfer of funds to an account designated by the Company for such purpose, (c) by net exercise as provided in Section 2.5 or (d) any combination of the foregoing methods.

2.3 Partial Exercis e. Upon a partial exercise of this Warrant, this Warrant shall be cancelled, and the Company shall promptly thereafter deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the remaining unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical to this Warrant.

2.4 Fractional Warrant Shares . The Company shall not be required to issue fractional Warrant Shares upon the exercise of Warrants. If any fraction of a Warrant Share would, except for the provisions of this Section  2.4 , be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (or any specified portion thereof), the Company shall make a cash payment in lieu of issuing such fractional Warrant Share equal to the Fair Market Value of one Warrant Share on the Business Day immediately preceding the date on which the Warrant is exercised, multiplied by such fraction, rounded to the nearest whole cent.

2.5 Net Exercise Election . In lieu of payment of the Exercise Price in cash, the Holder, at its sole option, may elect to convert all or any portion of this Warrant, without the payment by the Holder of any additional consideration, by the surrender of this Warrant to the Company with the net exercise election selected in the Subscription Form duly executed by the Holder, into up to the number of Warrant Shares that is obtained under the following formula:

 

X   =   

Y (A-B)

    A

 

5


where,    X  = the number of Warrant Shares to be issued to the Holder pursuant to a net exercise of this Warrant effected pursuant to this Section  2.5 ;

 

  Y  = the number of Warrant Shares for which such Warrant would otherwise then be nominally exercised if payment of the Exercise Price as of the date of exercise were being made in cash;

 

  A  = the Fair Market Value of one Warrant Share on the date of exercise; and

 

  B  = the Exercise Price on the date of exercise.

The Holder may use the net exercise option provided in this Section 2.5 whether or not this Warrant is being exercised in full or in part and whether or not the Holder elects to pay any portion of the aggregate Exercise Price in cash.

2.6 Valid Issuance of Substitute Warrants and Warrant Shares; Covenants Relating to the Warrant and Warrant Shares .

(a) The Company hereby represents, covenants and agrees that:

(i) it is duly organized or incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation and has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted and is proposed to be conducted;

(ii) it has the full power, authority and legal right to execute and deliver this Warrant. The execution and delivery of this Warrant have been duly authorized by all necessary action, corporate or otherwise, of the Company;

(iii) the execution and delivery by the Company of this Warrant does not and will not violate (A) any provision of its by-laws, charter, articles of association, partnership agreement or other similar document, (B) any provision of any material agreement to which it is a party or by which it is bound or (C) any law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree to which it is subject;

(iv) subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Holder set forth in Section 2.6(b), no consent, waiver, approval, authorization, exemption, registration, license or declaration is required to be made or obtained by the Company in connection with the execution or delivery of this Warrant or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herein;

(v) it is not currently in violation of any law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree, which violation could reasonably be expected at any time to have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s ability to enter into this Warrant;

(vi) there is no pending or threatened legal action, suit or proceeding that would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Company to enter into this Warrant;

 

6


(vii) any Warrant issued in substitution for or replacement of this Warrant shall be, upon issuance, duly authorized and validly issued;

(viii) all Warrant Shares issued upon the exercise of this Warrant pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and shall be issued free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances, preemptive rights or any other similar contractual rights other than under the applicable state and federal securities laws and pursuant to this Warrant and the Investors Shareholders Agreement;

(ix) the Company shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that all Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant pursuant to the terms hereof are issued without violation by the Company of any obligation of the Company under applicable law or governmental regulation or any requirements of any nationally recognized stock exchange or listing system upon which Ordinary Shares or other securities constituting Warrant Shares may be listed at the time of such exercise (subject to official notice of issuance);

(x) the Company shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or duty due on the issue, if any, of Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant, subject to Section 2.6(b)(viii) ; and

(xi) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries currently is party to any transactions or agreements, in either case, with a Silver Lake Investor or any of its Affiliates, other than those (A) entered into in the ordinary course of business with a portfolio company of the Silver Lake Investors or its Affiliates on arm’s-length terms, (B) any issuance of Securities or debt securities to the Silver Lake Investors or their Affiliates that were subject to participation rights set forth in the Investors Shareholders Agreement, (C) indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or exculpation of liability made pursuant to the governing, constituent or organizational documents or other indemnification agreements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (D) transactions where the interests of the Silver Lake Investors or their Affiliates arise solely from its status as a holder of any class or series of securities of the Company and all other holders of such class or series receive the same benefit on a pro rata basis (such as dividends or distributions), (E) the Management Agreement, the Sponsor Shareholders Agreement, the Investors Shareholders Agreement and the Employee Investors Agreement (in each case, true and correct copies of which have been provided to the Holders prior to the date hereof) and (F) the other agreements entered into in connection with the financing of the acquisition of the Company by the Silver Lake Investors and their Affiliates (which agreements do not have any material contingent rights or obligations).

(b) The Holder hereby represents, covenants and agrees that:

(i) it is duly organized or incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation and has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted and is proposed to be conducted;

 

7


(ii) it has the full power, authority and legal right to execute and deliver this Warrant. The execution and delivery of this Warrant have been duly authorized by all necessary action, corporate or otherwise, of the Holder;

(iii) the execution and delivery by the Holder of this Warrant does not and will not violate (A) any provision of its by-laws, charter, articles of association, partnership agreement or other similar document, (B) any provision of any material agreement to which it is a party or by which it is bound or (C) any law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree to which it is subject;

(iv) no consent, waiver, approval, authorization, exemption, registration, license or declaration is required to be made or obtained by the Holder in connection with the execution or delivery of this Warrant or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herein;

(v) it is not currently in violation of any law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree, which violation could reasonably be expected at any time to have a material adverse effect upon the Holder’s ability to enter into this Warrant;

(vi) there is no pending or threatened legal action, suit or proceeding that would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Holder to enter into this Warrant;

(vii) it is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act; and

(viii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 2.6(a)(x) , the Holder shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or duty that is due on the issue, if any, of Warrant Shares because the Holder requests the Warrant Shares to be issued in a name other than the Holder’s name.

2.7 Reservation of Warrant Shares . Prior to the Termination Date, the Company shall at all times ensure that the Company is authorized to issue the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares or other securities constituting Warrant Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.

2.8 Change of Control Transaction; Initial Public Offering; Liquidation .

(a) If the Company proposes at any time to effect a Change of Control Transaction, an Initial Public Offering or a Liquidation, the Company shall give the Holder at least ten (10) Business Days’ advance written notice (each, a “ Transaction Notice ”) of the anticipated closing date for the Change of Control Transaction, the anticipated closing date for such Initial Public Offering or commencement of such Liquidation, as applicable. The Holder acknowledges and agrees that, in the case of a Drag-Along Sale, the Company may also deliver to the Holder a Drag-Along Notice along with a Transaction Notice. Upon the exercise of this Warrant for Warrant Shares, such Drag-Along Notice shall be deemed to satisfy the delivery and notice requirements set forth in Section 3.7 of the Investors Shareholders Agreement.

 

8


(b) If the Company has issued a Transaction Notice and the Holder has not elected to exercise this Warrant under Article 2 in connection with a Change of Control Transaction, an Initial Public Offering or a Liquidation, or if this Warrant is set to expire pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of Termination Date, then upon the effective date of the consummation of the Change of Control Transaction, the initial closing of the Initial Public Offering, commencement of such Liquidation or immediately prior to such expiration, as applicable, this Warrant shall automatically be deemed net exercised in full pursuant to Section 2.5 and the Holder hereby makes the representations and warranties provided in the Subscription Form as of such date, if substantially concurrently with the issuance of Warrant Shares hereunder, the Holder executes and delivers a Joinder; provided , however , that if, at such time the Fair Market Value of one Warrant Share is less than the Exercise Price, then this Warrant shall instead cease to be exercisable and shall terminate in full for no consideration.

ARTICLE 3. ISSUANCE OF WARRANT SHARES . Except as set forth in Section 2.8 , this Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised immediately upon the open of business on the Business Day immediately following the date of its surrender for exercise as provided in Section  2.1 , or if this Warrant is surrendered for exercise contingent upon the consummation of a Change of Control Transaction, Repurchase or Tag-Along Sale, as of 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Business Day immediately preceding the consummation of such Change of Control Transaction, Repurchase or Tag-Along Sale, as applicable, or if this Warrant is surrendered for exercise contingent upon the consummation of an Initial Public Offering, as of 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Business Day immediately preceding the consummation of such Initial Public Offering, or if this Warrant is surrendered for exercise contingent upon the consummation of a Liquidation, as of 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Business Day immediately preceding consummation of such Liquidation. On such date, the Company shall procure appropriate entries to be made on its register of members to reflect the issuance of such Warrant Shares, and shall issue and deliver to the Person or Persons entitled to receive the same a certificate or certificates for the number of whole Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise (but only if the Ordinary Shares are then certificated), together with payment of any fractional Warrant Shares pursuant to Section  2.4 . For purposes of this Article 3 , “Business Day” shall not include a day on which banks located in the Cayman Islands are authorized or required by law to close.

ARTICLE 4. ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS . The number and character of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and the Exercise Price therefor, are subject to adjustment, without duplication, upon each event in Sections 4.1 , 4.2 and 4.3 occurring between the date this Warrant is issued and the time that this Warrant has terminated in accordance with Section  8.13 :

4.1 Changes to Ordinary Shares . If the Company (a) pays a dividend or makes a distribution on its Ordinary Shares, in each case in Ordinary Shares, (b) subdivides its outstanding Ordinary Shares into a larger number of Ordinary Shares, (c) combines its outstanding Ordinary Shares into a smaller number of Ordinary Shares or (d) increases or decreases the number of Ordinary Shares outstanding by reclassification of its Ordinary Shares (in each case, other than a transaction to which Section 4.3 is applicable), then the number of Warrant Shares purchasable upon exercise of this Warrant immediately after the happening of

 

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such event shall be adjusted so that, after giving effect to such adjustment, the Holder shall be entitled to receive the number of Warrant Shares upon exercise that such Holder would have owned or have been entitled to receive had this Warrant been exercised immediately prior to the happening of such event (or, in the case of a dividend or distribution of Ordinary Shares, immediately prior to the record date therefor), and the Exercise Price shall be adjusted in inverse proportion. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall become effective immediately after the effective date, retroactive to the record date therefor in the case of a dividend or distribution in Ordinary Shares, and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification.

4.2 Cash Distributions and Other Distributions . If the Company distributes to the holders of Ordinary Shares, (x) cash or any other property or securities, or (y) any rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any of the foregoing (other than, in each case set forth in clause (x) and clause (y), any dividend or distribution described in Section  4.1 ), then, in each such case, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amount as such Holder would have been entitled to receive if the Holder had exercised this Warrant in full immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Ordinary Shares are to be determined for the participation in such distribution. For the avoidance of doubt, no repurchase or redemption by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any securities of the Company shall be considered a distribution.

4.3 Reorganization Events . In the event (a) of any recapitalization or reorganization of the Company or reclassification of the Ordinary Shares into another class of equity securities whether by capital reorganization, reclassification or otherwise, (b) the Company shall consolidate with or merge into one or more other Persons in a transaction that results in a change of the Ordinary Shares, (c) of any sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to another Person or (d) of any other similar transaction, in each case, pursuant to which the Ordinary Shares would be converted into or exchanged for, or would constitute solely the right to receive, cash, securities or other property other than solely Ordinary Shares (any such event, a “ Reorganization Event ”), then, and in each such case, the Holder, upon the exercise of this Warrant after such Reorganization Event shall be entitled to receive, in lieu of the Warrant Shares or other securities or property that Holder would have been entitled to receive upon such exercise prior to such Reorganization Event, the kind, type, proportions and amount of cash, securities and/or other property that Holder would have been entitled to receive upon such Reorganization Event if, immediately prior to such Reorganization Event, the Holder had completed such exercise of this Warrant, all subject to further adjustment as provided in this Warrant. If after such Reorganization Event, the Warrant is exercisable for securities of a corporation or entity other than the Company, then such corporation or entity shall duly execute and deliver to Holder a supplement hereto acknowledging such corporation’s or other entity’s obligations under this Warrant; and in each such case, the terms and conditions of this Warrant shall be applicable to the cash, securities and/or other property receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant after the consummation of such Reorganization Event. If this Section 4.3 applies to any event or occurrence, neither Section 4.1 nor Section 4.2 shall apply. The Company shall give advance notice of any Reorganization Event to the extent required by the last sentence of Section  4.4 .

 

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4.4 Notice of Adjustments . Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Exercise Price or the number or type of Warrant Shares or cash, property and/or other securities issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant, the Company, at its expense, shall promptly compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and shall promptly give written notice to the Holder of each adjustment pursuant to this Article 4 to the Exercise Price or the number or type of Warrant Shares or cash, property and/or other securities, as the case may be, that remain issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The notice shall describe the adjustment and show in reasonable detail the facts on which the adjustment or readjustment is based. In the event that the Company proposes to (i) repurchase or redeem Ordinary Shares from all holders of Ordinary Shares (a “ Repurchase ”) or (ii) make any distribution to all holders of Ordinary Shares or take any other action that would give rise to an adjustment of the Exercise Price or the number or type of Warrant Shares or cash, property and/or other securities issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant under Section  4.2 or Section  4.3 , respectively, then, in each case, the Company shall, at its expense and ten (10) Business Days prior to the proposed record date of such Repurchase, distribution or Reorganization Event send written notice to the Holder specifying such date and a description of the action to be taken.

4.5 No Change Necessary . The form of this Warrant need not be changed because of any adjustment in the Exercise Price or in the number of Warrant Shares or cash, property and/or other securities issuable upon its exercise.

ARTICLE 5. NO IMPAIRMENT . The Company will not, and will cause its Affiliates not to, by amendment of the Investors Shareholders Agreement, or through reorganization, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, sale of assets or any other voluntary action, willfully avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the Holder against wrongful impairment.

ARTICLE 6. TRANSFERABILITY OF WARRANT .

6.1 Restrictions on Transfer .

(a) Except as expressly permitted by Section 6.2(c) and Section Article 7 , the Holder may not Transfer or assign all or any portion of this Warrant or any right or economic interest pertaining thereto. Any Transfer that is not in compliance with the provisions of this Article 6 shall be deemed a Transfer by such Holder in violation of this Warrant (and a breach of this Warrant by such Holder) and shall be null and void ab initio .

(b) It shall be a condition precedent to any Transfer otherwise permitted pursuant to this Article 6 that the conditions precedent to a Transfer set forth in Sections 3.1(a)(i) and (ii) of the Investors Shareholders Agreement have been satisfied (or waived in writing by the Company) with respect to such Transfer.

 

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6.2 Certain Permitted Transfers .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 6.1(a) , but subject to compliance with Section 6.2(c) , the Holder shall be permitted at any time to Transfer all or a portion of this Warrant to a Permitted Warrant Transferee.

(b) If at any time a Permitted Warrant Transferee ceases to qualify as a Permitted Warrant Transferee, then any portion of this Warrant or Warrant Shares issued upon exercise hereof then held by such Permitted Warrant Transferee (and all interest and rights related thereto) will, without any further action required by such Permitted Warrant Transferee, be automatically Transferred back to the original Holder of this Warrant, and such former Permitted Warrant Transferee and the original Holder of this Warrant shall take such action as the Company deems appropriate to document and effect such Transfer.

(c) Upon surrender and delivery of this Warrant by the Holder or a Permitted Warrant Transferee thereof, the Company shall (i) execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the Permitted Warrant Transferee and in the denominations specified in such instrument of Transfer, (ii) issue to the Transferor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant, if any, not so Transferred, (iii) promptly cancel this Warrant and (iv) take such other ministerial actions as reasonably necessary to accomplish and evidence such Transfer.

ARTICLE 7. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS; CERTAIN TAX MATTERS; RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS .

7.1 No Voting or Other Shareholder Rights . Except as expressly set forth herein or in the Investors Shareholders Agreement, this Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights or other rights as a shareholder of the Company until the Holder has received Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant pursuant to the terms hereof. In the absence of valid exercise of this Warrant, no provisions of this Warrant, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall cause the Holder to be a shareholder the Company for any purpose.

7.2 Tax Treatment; Withholding . The parties agree that the Warrant shall be treated as equity of the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold any taxes required to be deducted and withheld under applicable law with respect to payments made pursuant to the Warrant and any such withheld amounts shall be treated as if paid to the holder of the Warrant.

7.3 Tax Covenants .

(a) The Company represents and warrants that as of the date hereof it is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that it has not reported (including to its shareholders) that it is a passive foreign investment company (a “ PFIC ”) within the meaning of Section 1297 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”).

 

12


(b) Without the prior written consent of the holders of Warrants and, if applicable, Warrant Shares, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, the Company shall not make an election to be treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes or take any other action that could result in the Company or any successor to the Company failing to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(c) For every year in which there are Warrants and/or Warrant Shares outstanding, the Company shall determine whether or not it is treated as a PFIC. If the Company is treated as a PFIC for any year, the Company will use reasonable efforts to provide each U.S. holder of Warrants and/or Warrant Shares with sufficient notice to make a “qualified electing fund election” and with the necessary information relating to the PFIC by way of an annual information statement, or otherwise, so that the each such U.S. holder may file its tax returns in a timely manner.

(d) The Company shall also use reasonable efforts to furnish or cause to be furnished to the holders of Warrants and/or Warrant Shares, at such holders’ cost and expense. upon reasonable request, as promptly as practicable, such information and assistance relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective assets or businesses as is necessary for the filing of tax returns, the making of any election related to taxes, the preparation for any audit by any taxing authority, the prosecution or defense of any claim, suit, or proceeding relating to any taxes or tax return, and such other information as the holders of Warrants and/or Warrant Shares may reasonably request in their capacity as such for tax compliance or planning purposes.

7.4 Restrictive Legend . Certificates and book entries on the Company’s books or other register of equity securities, as the case may be, representing Warrants and Warrant Shares issued pursuant to this Warrant shall bear a legend substantially in the form of the legend set forth on the first page of this Warrant or, in the case of Warrant Shares, as otherwise provided by the Investors Shareholders Agreement, to the extent that and for so long as such legend is required pursuant to the Investors Shareholders Agreement and applicable securities laws.

ARTICLE 8. GENERAL PROVISION S.

8.1 Replacement of Warrant . On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form, substance and amount to the Company or, in the case of mutilation, on surrender of this Warrant to the Company for cancellation, the Company shall, within a reasonable time, execute and deliver to Holder, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor and amount (in each case, only to the extent that this Warrant is then certificated).

8.2 Expenses . All the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Holder incurred by the Holder in connection with the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Warrant shall be paid by the Company. All other costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Warrant and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such cost or expense, except as otherwise provided for by this Warrant.

 

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8.3 Governing Law . This Warrant and all claims or causes of action (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Warrant or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Warrant (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Warrant) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws, except that Cayman Islands law shall apply in respect of any fiduciary duty or any mandatory provision of Cayman Islands corporate law.

8.4 Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trials .

(a) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably acknowledges and consents that any legal action or proceeding brought with respect to (i) this Warrant or any of the obligations arising under or relating to this Warrant may only be brought in the courts of the State of Delaware or in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (collectively, the “ Delaware Courts ”), and (ii) any claim of breach by any director of the Company of any fiduciary duty may only be brought in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands (the “ Cayman Court ”, and together with the Delaware Courts, as applicable, the “ Chosen Courts ”), and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits to and accepts with regard to any such action or proceeding, for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts, as applicable. Each party hereby further irrevocably waives any claim that any Chosen Court lacks jurisdiction over such party, and agrees not to plead or claim, in any legal action or proceeding (i) with respect to this Warrant or the transactions contemplated hereby brought in the Delaware Courts or (ii) with respect to any claim of breach by any director of the Company of any fiduciary duty brought in the Cayman Court, that any such court lacks jurisdiction over such party.

(b) Each party irrevocably consents to the service of process in any legal action or proceeding brought with respect to this Warrant or any of the obligations arising under or relating to this Warrant by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to such party, at its address for notices as provided in Section 8.6 of this Warrant, such service to become effective ten (10) days after such mailing. Each party hereby irrevocably waives any objection to such service of process and further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any action or proceeding commenced hereunder or under any other documents contemplated hereby, that service of process was in any way invalid or ineffective. Subject to Section 8.4(c) , the foregoing shall not limit the rights of any party to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law. The foregoing consents to jurisdiction shall not constitute general consents to service of process in the State of Delaware or the Cayman Islands for any purpose except as provided above and shall not be deemed to confer rights on any Person other than the respective parties to this Warrant.

 

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(c) Each of the parties hereto hereby waives any right it may have under the laws of any jurisdiction to commence by publication any legal action or proceeding with respect to (i) this Warrant or any of the obligations under or relating to this Warrant or (ii) any claim of breach by any director of the Company of any fiduciary duty. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives the objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any suit, action or proceeding with respect to (i) this Warrant or any of the obligations arising under or relating to this Warrant in any of the Delaware Courts and (ii) arising under or relating to any claim of breach by any director of the Company of any fiduciary duty in the Cayman Court, and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim that any such Chosen Court is not a convenient forum for any such suit, action or proceeding, as applicable.

(d) The parties hereto agree that any judgment obtained by any party hereto or its successors or assigns in any action, suit or proceeding referred to above may, in the discretion of such party (or its successors or assigns), be enforced in any jurisdiction, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

(e) EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO (I) ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS WARRANT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR (II) WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OF BREACH BY ANY DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY OF ANY FIDUCIARY DUTY. EACH OF THE PARTIES (I) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (II) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS WARRANT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 8.4(e) .

8.5 Attorneys’ Fees . In the event that any Dispute between the Company, on the one hand, and the Disputing Holders, on the other hand, should result in litigation or arbitration, the prevailing party in such Dispute shall be entitled to recover from the other party all reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and other expenses incurred by the prevailing party in connection with such Dispute. Any judgment or order entered in such action shall contain a specific provision providing for the recovery of attorneys’ fees, costs and other expenses incurred in enforcing such judgment and an award of prejudgment interest from the date of the breach at the maximum rate of interest allowed by law. For the purposes of this Section  8.5 , attorneys’ fees shall include, fees incurred in the following: (a) post judgment motions; (b) contempt proceedings; (c) garnishment, levy, and debtor and third-party examinations; (d) discovery; and (e) bankruptcy litigation; and the prevailing party shall mean the party who is determined in the proceeding to have prevailed or who prevails by dismissal, default or otherwise.

 

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8.6 Notices . Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Warrant, all notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including a facsimile, e-mail or similar writing) and shall be given to such party at the following addresses or facsimile numbers or e-mail addresses:

(a) if to the Holder, at the address indicated for such party on the signature page(s) hereto; and

(b) if to the Company, to:

c/o Silver Lake Partners

c/o Silver Lake Sumeru

2775 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100

Menlo Park, California 94025

Attention: Karen King

Fax: (650) 233-8125

Email: karen.king@silverlake.com

and

c/o Silver Lake Partners

c/o Silver Lake Sumeru

9 West 57th Street, 32nd Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Andrew Schader

Fax: (212) 981-3535

Email: andy.schader@silverlake.com

and

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

39870 Eureka Drive

Newark, California 94560-4809

Attention: Bruce Goldberg

Fax: (510) 624-8231

Email: bruce.goldberg@smartm.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

2475 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, California 94304

Attention: Chad Skinner

Fax: (650) 251-5002

Email: cskinner@stblaw.com

 

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Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by facsimile or e-mail, at the time such facsimile or e-mail is transmitted and the appropriate non-automated written confirmation is received (or, if such time is not during a Business Day, at the beginning of the next such Business Day) or (ii) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified pursuant to this Section  8.6 .

8.7 Amendment; Waiver . Any term of this Warrant may be amended, and the observance of any term of this Warrant may be waived, only with the written consent of the Company and the Requisite Warrant Holders; provided , that any amendment or waiver that is materially adverse to the Holder or Other Holders in a manner disproportionate to the Other Holders shall require the consent of such Holder or Other Holders. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 8.7 shall be binding upon each of the Holder and the Company and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, agreement, term or condition of this Warrant or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach of such or any other covenant, agreement, term or condition shall operate as a waiver of such or any other covenant, agreement, term or condition of this Warrant. No waiver shall affect or alter the remainder of this Warrant but each and every covenant, agreement, term and condition hereof shall continue in full force and effect with respect to any other then existing or subsequent breach. The rights and remedies provided by this Warrant are cumulative and the exercise of any one right or remedy by any party shall not preclude or waive its right to exercise any or all other rights or remedies.

8.8 Certain Interpretive Principles . All references to Articles and Sections in this Warrant mean the Articles and Sections of this Warrant, except where otherwise stated. The titles of Articles and Sections of this Warrant are for convenience only and shall not be interpreted to limit or amplify the provisions of this Warrant. All references in this Warrant to Exhibits shall, unless otherwise provided, refer to Exhibits attached hereto, all of which Exhibits are incorporated herein by this reference. Unless otherwise specified, the terms “hereof,” “herein” and similar terms refer to this Warrant as a whole. For purposes of this Warrant, the words, “include,” “includes” and “including,” shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “dollars” and “$” shall mean United States dollars. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Warrant. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Warrant will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Warrant.

8.9 Severability . Each provision of this Warrant shall be considered severable and if for any reason any provision or provisions hereof are determined to be invalid and contrary to any existing or future law, such invalidity shall not impair the operation of or affect those portions of this Warrant which are valid.

8.10 Counterparts . This Warrant may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Until and unless each party has received a counterpart hereof signed by the other party hereto, this Warrant shall have no effect and no party shall have any right or obligation hereunder (whether by virtue of any other oral or written agreement or other communication).

 

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8.11 No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Warrant is not intended to confer any rights, benefits or remedies, obligations or liabilities upon, and shall not be enforceable by any Person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided , that the Requisite Warrant Holders shall be third party beneficiaries with respect to Section 8.7 solely to the extent necessary to enforce any amendment to this Warrant entered into by the Company and the Requisite Warrant Holders in accordance with Section  8.7 .

8.12 Successors and Assigns . The provisions of this Warrant shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

8.13 Termination . This Warrant shall terminate upon the Termination Date with respect to all Warrant Shares.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Warrant as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY :
SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

By:                                                                                             

      Name:

      Title:

[Signature Page to Warrant]

 


HOLDER :

[•]

 

By:                                                                                             

      Name:

      Title:

Address of Holder :

[ insert address ]

[ insert address ]

Attention: [ insert contact ]

Fax: [ insert fax ]

Email: [ insert email ]

[Signature Page to Warrant]

 


Exhibit A

FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION

(To be completed and signed only upon exercise of the Warrant)

To: SMART Global Holdings, Inc. (the “ Company ”)

We refer to that certain Warrant to Purchase Ordinary Shares of the Company, Warrant No. [A -      ], issued on [•], 20[•] (the “ Warrant ”).

Select one of the following two alternatives:

Cash Exercise . On the terms and conditions set forth in the Warrant, the undersigned Holder hereby elects to purchase             Ordinary Shares of the Company (the “ Warrant Shares ”), pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the purchase price for such Warrant Shares in full. This exercise ☐ IS ☐ IS NOT conditioned upon the completion of the Change of Control Transaction, the Initial Public Offering, the Liquidation, a Tag-Along Sale or a purchase of Transferable Shares that has been described in that certain Transaction Notice, dated                    , delivered by the Company to the Holder pursuant to Section 2.6 of the Warrant.

Net Exercise Election . On the terms and conditions set forth in the Warrant, the undersigned Holder elects to convert the Warrant into Ordinary Shares by net exercise election pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Warrant. This conversion is exercised with respect to                     (before giving effect to the net exercise) Ordinary Shares of the Company (the “ Warrant Shares ”) covered by the Warrant. This exercise ☐ IS ☐ IS NOT conditioned upon the completion of the Change of Control Transaction, the Initial Public Offering, the Liquidation, a Tag-Along Sale or a purchase of Transferable Shares that has been described in that certain Transaction Notice, dated                    , delivered by the Company to the Holder pursuant to Section 2.6 of the Warrant.

In exercising the Warrant, the undersigned Holder hereby confirms and acknowledges that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 2.2 of the Investors Shareholders Agreement as applied to the undersigned Holder continue to be true and complete as of this date. Capitalized terms used in this Subscription Form and not otherwise defined herein shall have their respective meanings set forth in attached Warrant of which this Subscription Form forms a part.

WHEREFORE, the undersigned Holder has executed and delivered the attached Warrant, a Joinder and this Subscription Form as of the date set forth below.

 

Date:                                                        [Holder]
   By:                                                                                                                       
   Name:                                                                                                                 
   Title:                                                                                                                   

[Exhibit A to Warrant]

 


Exhibit B

JOINDER AGREEMENT

The undersigned is executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Investors Shareholders Agreement of SMART Global Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Saleen Holdings, Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Company ”), dated as of November 5, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Investors Shareholders Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Investors Shareholders Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement to the Investors Shareholders Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees to become a party to, to be bound by, and to comply with the provisions of the Investors Shareholders Agreement as a Warrant Investor. In connection therewith, effective as of the date hereof, the undersigned hereby makes the applicable representations and warranties contained in Section 2.2 of the Investors Shareholders Agreement.

Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder Agreement as of the day            of            , 20        .

 

 

Signature of Warrant Investor

 

Print Name Warrant Investor
Address of Warrant Investor:                                                 
                                                                                                         
                                                                                                         
Telephone:                                                                                    
Facsimile:                                                                                      
Email:                                                                                             

AGREED AND ACCEPTED

as of the          day of                 ,         .

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.

 

By:                                                                                             

      Name:

      Title:

[Exhibit B to Warrant]


Exhibit C

WARRANT TRANSFER AGREEMENT

Dated: [•]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers all of its rights and interest in the portion of the Warrant (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Warrant ”) representing the number of Warrant Shares set forth below, standing in its name on the books of Smart Global Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Saleen Holdings, Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company, (the “ Company ”) and represented by the Warrant, to:

 

Name of Permitted

Warrant Transferee

  

Address

  

No. of First Tranche

Warrant Shares

  

No. of Second Tranche

Warrant Shares

[•]    [•]    [•]   

Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Warrant. The undersigned hereby irrevocably instructs and appoints the Company or any successor of the Company as its agent and attorney-in-fact (the “ Agent ”) to Transfer all of such Warrant Shares on the books of the Company, to register each such Permitted Warrant Transferee as the registered owner thereof and to take all other necessary and appropriate action to effect such transfer and registration, including the issuance of one or more new or replacement Warrants. The Agent may substitute and appoint one or more Persons to act on its behalf. The foregoing power of attorney is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable.

 

[Holder]

By:                                                                                                   

        Name:

        Title:

[Permitted Warrant Transferee]

By:                                                                                                   

        Name:

        Title:

[Exhibit C to Warrant]

 

Exhibit 10.16

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

November 5, 2016,

among

SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc. as successor to

SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc. (formerly known as

SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.),

as Holdings,

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,

as Parent Borrower,

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,

as Co-Borrower,

The Lenders Party Hereto

and

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as Administrative Agent

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

Lead Arranger and Bookrunner,

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

  

SECTION 1.01.

   Defined Terms      1  

SECTION 1.02.

   Classification of Loans and Borrowings      42  

SECTION 1.03.

   Terms Generally      42  

SECTION 1.04.

   Accounting Terms; GAAP      42  

SECTION 1.05.

   Effectuation of Transactions      43  

SECTION 1.06.

   Currency Translation      43  

SECTION 1.07.

   Effect of this Agreement on the Original Credit Agreement and the Other Existing Loan Documents      43  

ARTICLE II

 

THE CREDITS

  

SECTION 2.01.

   Commitments      43  

SECTION 2.02.

   Loans and Borrowings      44  

SECTION 2.03.

   Requests for Borrowings      44  

SECTION 2.04.

   Swingline Loans      45  

SECTION 2.05.

   Letters of Credit and Bank Guarantees      46  

SECTION 2.06.

   Funding of Borrowings      50  

SECTION 2.07.

   Interest Elections      51  

SECTION 2.08.

   Termination and Reduction of Commitments      52  

SECTION 2.09.

   Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt      53  

SECTION 2.10.

   Amortization of Term Loans      53  

SECTION 2.11.

   Prepayment of Loans      54  

SECTION 2.12.

   Fees      61  

SECTION 2.13.

   Interest      62  

SECTION 2.14.

   Alternate Rate of Interest      63  

SECTION 2.15.

   Increased Costs      63  

SECTION 2.16.

   Break Funding Payments      64  

SECTION 2.17.

   Taxes      64  

SECTION 2.18.

   Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs      67  

SECTION 2.19.

   Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders      68  

SECTION 2.20.

   [Intentionally Omitted]      69  

SECTION 2.21.

   Refinancing Amendments      69  

SECTION 2.22.

   Defaulting Lenders      70  

SECTION 2.23.

   Illegality      71  

SECTION 2.24.

   Tax Treatment      72  
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES   

SECTION 3.01.

   Organization; Powers      73  

SECTION 3.02.

   Authorization; Enforceability      73  

SECTION 3.03.

   Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts      73  

SECTION 3.04.

   Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect      73  

SECTION 3.05.

   Properties      74  

SECTION 3.06.

   Litigation and Environmental Matters      74  

SECTION 3.07.

   Compliance with Laws and Agreements      75  

 

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SECTION 3.08.

   Investment Company Status      75  

SECTION 3.09.

   Taxes      75  

SECTION 3.10.

   ERISA      75  

SECTION 3.11.

   Disclosure      75  

SECTION 3.12.

   Subsidiaries      75  

SECTION 3.13.

   Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.      75  

SECTION 3.14.

   Solvency      76  

SECTION 3.15.

   Senior Indebtedness      76  

SECTION 3.16.

   Federal Reserve Regulations      76  

SECTION 3.17.

   Use of Proceeds      76  

ARTICLE IV

 

CONDITIONS

  

SECTION 4.01.

   Effective Date      76  

SECTION 4.02.

   Each Credit Event      79  

ARTICLE V

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

  

SECTION 5.01.

   Financial Statements and Other Information      79  

SECTION 5.02.

   Notices of Material Events      82  

SECTION 5.03.

   Information Regarding Collateral      83  

SECTION 5.04.

   Existence; Conduct of Business      83  

SECTION 5.05.

   Payment of Taxes, etc.      83  

SECTION 5.06.

   Maintenance of Properties      83  

SECTION 5.07.

   Insurance      83  

SECTION 5.08.

   Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights      84  

SECTION 5.09.

   Compliance with Laws      84  

SECTION 5.10.

   Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit      84  

SECTION 5.11.

   Additional Subsidiaries      84  

SECTION 5.12.

   Further Assurances      84  

SECTION 5.13.

   Ratings      85  

SECTION 5.14.

   Certain Post-Closing Obligations      85  

SECTION 5.15.

   Storage Monetization      85  

SECTION 5.16.

   Designation of Subsidiaries      85  

SECTION 5.17.

   Post-Restatement Effective Date Actions      86  
ARTICLE VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS   

SECTION 6.01.

   Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities      87  

SECTION 6.02.

   Liens      89  

SECTION 6.03.

   Fundamental Changes; Holding Companies      90  

SECTION 6.04.

   Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions      93  

SECTION 6.05.

   Asset Sales      94  

SECTION 6.06.

   Sale and Leaseback Transactions      95  

SECTION 6.07.

   Swap Agreements      96  

SECTION 6.08.

   Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness      96  

SECTION 6.09.

   Transactions with Affiliates      97  

SECTION 6.10.

   Restrictive Agreements      98  

SECTION 6.11.

   Amendment of Junior Financing      99  

SECTION 6.12.

   Financial Covenants      99  

SECTION 6.13.

   Changes in Fiscal Periods      99  

 

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ARTICLE VII

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

  

SECTION 7.01.

   Events of Default      99  

SECTION 7.02.

   Right to Cure      101  

SECTION 7.03.

   Application of Proceeds      102  

ARTICLE VIII THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

ARTICLE IX

  
MISCELLANEOUS   

SECTION 9.01.

   Notices      105  

SECTION 9.02.

   Waivers; Amendments      106  

SECTION 9.03.

   Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver      109  

SECTION 9.04.

   Successors and Assigns      110  

SECTION 9.05.

   Survival      114  

SECTION 9.06.

   Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness      115  

SECTION 9.07.

   Severability      115  

SECTION 9.08.

   Right of Setoff      115  

SECTION 9.09.

   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process      115  

SECTION 9.10.

   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      116  

SECTION 9.11.

   Headings      116  

SECTION 9.12.

   Confidentiality      116  

SECTION 9.13.

   USA Patriot Act      117  

SECTION 9.14.

   Judgment Currency      117  

SECTION 9.15.

   Release of Liens and Guarantees      117  

SECTION 9.16.

   No Fiduciary Relationship      118  

SECTION 9.17.

   Obligation Joint and Several      118  

SECTION 9.18.

   Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions      118  

 

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SCHEDULES:

 

Schedule 1.01(a)

Schedule 1.01(b)

Schedule 2.01

Schedule 3.12

Schedule 5.14

Schedule 6.01

Schedule 6.02

Schedule 6.04(e)

Schedule 6.09

Schedule 6.10

  

    

Excluded Subsidiaries

Existing Letters of Credit

Commitments

Subsidiaries

Certain Post-Closing Obligations

Existing Indebtedness

Existing Liens

Existing Investments

Existing Affiliate Transactions

Existing Restrictions

EXHIBITS:        

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

  

    

Form of Assignment and Assumption

Form of Guarantee Agreement

[Reserved]

Exhibit D

Exhibit E

  

    

Form of Perfection Certificate

Form of Collateral Agreement

Exhibit F-1         Form of Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Exhibit F-2         Form of Opinion of Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados
Exhibit F-3         Form of Opinion of Walkers Global

Exhibit F-4

Exhibit F-5

  

    

Form of Opinion of De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

Form of Opinion of Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen

Exhibit G         Form of First Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Exhibit H

Exhibit I

       

Form of Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Form of Closing Certificate

Exhibit J         Form of Intercompany Note

Exhibit K

Exhibit L

  

    

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Notice

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Response

Exhibit M         Form of Discount Range Prepayment Notice
Exhibit N         Form of Discount Range Prepayment Offer

Exhibit O

Exhibit P

  

    

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer

Exhibit Q         Form of Acceptance and Prepayment Notice
Exhibit R-1         Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit R-2         Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit R-3         Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit R-4         Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of November 5, 2016 (this “ Agreement ”), among SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc. as successor to SMART Modular Technologies (Global Holdings), Inc. (formerly known as SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., California corporation (the “ Co- Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party hereto and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as Administrative Agent.

WHEREAS, Borrowers, the Lenders and the Agent are party to a credit agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended prior to the date hereof, the “ Original Credit Agreement ”) and have agreed to amend and restate in its entirety the Original Credit Agreement and replace it in its entirety with this Agreement; and

NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

ABR ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

Acceptable Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Acceptable Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Acceptance and Prepayment Notice ” means an irrevocable written notice from a Term Lender accepting a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment at the Acceptable Discount specified therein pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) substantially in the form of Exhibit Q .

Acceptance Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11 (a)(ii)(D).

Acquired EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Acquired Entity or Business or any Converted Restricted Subsidiary (any of the foregoing, a “ Pro Forma Entity ”) for any period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Pro Forma Entity (determined as if references to the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the definition of the term “Consolidated EBITDA” were references to such Pro Forma Entity and its subsidiaries which will become Restricted Subsidiaries), all as determined on a consolidated basis for such Pro Forma Entity.

Acquisition ” means the acquisition of the Target and its subsidiaries.

Acquisition Agreement ” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 26, 2011 among Holdings, Saleen Acquisition, Inc. and the Target.

Acquisition Documents ” means the Acquisition Agreement, all other agreements to be entered into between the Target or its Affiliates and Holdings or its Affiliates in connection with the Acquisition and all schedules, exhibits and annexes to each of the foregoing and all side letters, instruments and agreements affecting the terms of the foregoing or entered into in connection therewith.

Additional Lender ” means, at any time, any bank or other financial institution (including any such bank or financial institution that is a Lender at such time) that agrees to provide any portion of any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment in accordance with Section 2.21;


provided that each Additional Lender (other than any Person that is a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund of a Lender at such time) shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent (such approval in each case not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and the Parent Borrower.

Adjusted LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in dollars for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to (i) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (ii) the Statutory Reserve Rate.

Administrative Agent ” means Barclays Bank PLC, in its capacity as administrative agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Article VIII. The Administrative Agent may from time to time designate one or more of its Affiliates or branches to perform the functions of the Administrative Agent in connection with Loans denominated in any currency other than dollars, in which case references herein to the “Administrative Agent” shall, in connection with Loans denominated in any such currency, mean any Affiliate or branch so designated.

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly or indirectly Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Affiliated Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that is the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor (other than Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of their respective subsidiaries) at such time.

Agent ” means the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and any successors and assigns in such capacity, and “ Agents ” means two or more of them.

Agreement Currency ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.14(b).

Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) for a deposit in dollars with a maturity of one month plus 1%. For purposes of clause (c) above, the Adjusted LIBO Rate on any day shall be based on the rate appearing on the Reuters “LIBOR01” screen displaying British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates (or on any successor or substitute screen provided by Reuters, or any successor to or substitute for such service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such screen, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to such day for deposits in dollars with a maturity of one month. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) with respect to Term Loans, the Alternate Base Rate will be deemed to be 2.25% per annum if the Alternate Base Rate calculated pursuant to the foregoing provisions would otherwise be less than 2.25% per annum and (ii) otherwise, the Alternate Base Rate will be deemed to be 2.00% per annum if the Alternate Base Rate calculated pursuant to the foregoing provisions would otherwise be less than 2.00%.

Applicable Account ” means, with respect to any payment to be made to the Administrative Agent hereunder, the account specified by the Administrative Agent from time to time for the purpose of receiving payments of such type.

Applicable Creditor ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.14(b).

Applicable Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

 

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Applicable Fronting Exposure ” means, with respect to any Person that is an Issuing Bank or a Swingline Lender at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of all Letters of Credit issued by such Person in its capacity as an Issuing Bank (if applicable) that remains available for drawing at such time, (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements made by such Person in its capacity as an Issuing Bank (if applicable) that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of such Borrower at such time and (c) the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans made by such Person in its capacity as a Swingline Lender (if applicable) outstanding at such time.

Applicable Percentage ” means, at any time with respect to any Revolving Lender, the percentage of the aggregate Revolving Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time (or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, such Lender’s share of the total Revolving Exposure at that time); provided that, at any time any Revolving Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the total Revolving Commitments (disregarding any such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment) represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment. If the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments pursuant to this Agreement and to any Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender at the time of determination.

Applicable Rate ” means, for any day, (a)(i) with respect to any Term Loan, (A) 7.00% per annum, in the case of an ABR Loan (which shall increase to 7.75% per annum the first anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date if the Term Loans are still outstanding as of such date), or (B) 8.00% per annum, in the case of a Eurocurrency Loan (which shall increase to 8.75% per annum on the first anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date if the Term Loans are still outstanding as of such date), and (b) with respect to any ABR Loan or Eurocurrency Loan (other than a Term Loan), the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “ABR Spread” or “Eurocurrency Spread”, as the case may be, based upon the Secured Leverage Ratio as of the end of the fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower for which consolidated financial statements have theretofore been most recently delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 (a) or 5.01(b); provided that, for purposes of clause (b), until the date of the delivery of the consolidated financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01 (a) or 5.01(b) as of and for the fiscal quarter ended November 25, 2011, the Applicable Rate shall be based on the rates per annum set forth in Category 1:

 

Secured Leverage Ratio

   ABR
Spread
    Eurocurrency
Spread
 

Category 1

Greater than 2.25 to 1.00

     3.00     4.00

Category 2

Less than or equal to 2.25 to 1.00

     2.75     3.75

For purposes of the foregoing, each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Secured Leverage Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the Business Day following the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) of the consolidated financial statements and related Compliance Certificate indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Rate, at the option of the Administrative Agent or the Majority in Interest of the Revolving Lenders, shall be based on the rates per annum set forth in Category 1 (i) at any time that an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a) has occurred and is continuing and shall continue to so apply to but excluding the date on which such Event of Default shall cease to be continuing (and thereafter, the Category otherwise determined in accordance with this definition shall apply) or (ii) if Holdings and the Parent Borrower fail to deliver the consolidated financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) or any Compliance Certificate required to be delivered pursuant hereto, in each case within the time periods specified herein for such delivery, during the period commencing on and including the day of the occurrence of a Default resulting from such failure and until the delivery thereof.

 

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Approved Bank ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Permitted Investments”.

Approved Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any Person whose consent is required by Section 9.04), substantially in the form of Exhibit A or any other form reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent.

Auction Agent ” means (a) the Administrative Agent or (b) any other financial institution or advisor employed by a Borrower (whether or not an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) to act as an arranger in connection with any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii); provided that such Borrower shall not designate the Administrative Agent as the Auction Agent without the written consent of the Administrative Agent (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to agree to act as the Auction Agent).

Audited Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Target and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2008, August 28, 2009 and August 27, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows of the Target and its subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

Bail-In Action ” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation ” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board, (b) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers or board of directors of such Person, (c) in the case of any partnership, the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of such Person and (d) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing.

Board of Governors ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

Borrower ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment ” means the offer by a Borrower to make a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a specified discount to par pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers ” means the solicitation by a Borrower of offers for, and the corresponding acceptance by a Term Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a specified range at a discount to par pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers ” means the solicitation by a Borrower of offers for, and the subsequent acceptance, if any, by a Term Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a discount to par pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

 

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Borrowing ” means (a) Loans of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date in the same currency and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, or (b) a Swingline Loan.

Borrowing Minimum ” means (a) in the case of a Revolving Borrowing, $1,000,000 and (b) in the case of a Swingline Loan, $100,000.

Borrowing Multiple ” means (a) in the case of a Revolving Borrowing, $1,000,000 and (b) in the case of a Swingline Loan, $100,000.

Borrowing Request ” means a request by a Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.

Brazilian Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Parent Borrower organized or existing under the laws of Brazil.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

Capital Expenditures ” means, for any period, the additions to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries that are (or should be) set forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Parent Borrower for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Capital Lease Obligation ” means an obligation that is as a Capitalized Lease; and the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby at any time shall be the amount of the liability in respect thereof that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date.

Capitalized Leases ” means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date, recorded as capitalized leases.

Capitalized Software Expenditures ” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

Cash Management Obligations ” means obligations of Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds.

Casualty Event ” means any event that gives rise to the receipt by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards in respect of any equipment, fixed assets or real property (including any improvements thereon) to replace or repair such equipment, fixed assets or real property.

Change in Control ” means (a) the failure of Holdings prior to the IPO, or, after the IPO, the IPO Entity, directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries, to own all of the Equity Interest of the Parent Borrower, (b) prior to an IPO, the failure by the Permitted Holders to own, directly or indirectly through one or more holding company parents of Holdings, beneficially and of record, Equity Interests in Holdings representing at least a majority of the aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors of Holdings represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Holdings, unless the Permitted Holders otherwise have the right (pursuant to contract, proxy or otherwise), directly or indirectly, to designate or appoint (and do so designate or appoint) a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings, (c) after an IPO, the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly,

 

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beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the Effective Date), other than the Permitted Holders, of Equity Interests representing 40% or more of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in the IPO Entity and the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power so held is greater than the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the Equity Interests in the IPO Entity held by the Permitted Holders, (d) (i) if the IPO Entity is organized in the United States, at any time, and (ii) otherwise, prior to the IPO, the occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the Board of Directors of Holdings by Persons who were neither (i) nominated, designated or approved by the Board of Directors of Holdings or the Permitted Holders nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated, designated or approved or (e) the occurrence of a “Change of Control” (or similar event, however denominated), as defined in the documentation governing any Material Indebtedness.

Change in Law ” means: (a) the adoption of any rule, regulation, treaty or other law after the Effective Date, (b) any change in any rule, regulation, treaty or other law or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Effective Date or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Effective Date; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) any request, rules, guidelines or directives under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or issued in connection therewith and (ii) any requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank of International Settlements, the Basel Committee or Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case shall be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, to the extent enacted, adopted, promulgated or issued after the Effective Date.

Class ” when used in reference to (a) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Other Revolving Loans, Term Loans, Other Term Loans or Swingline Loans, (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Commitment, Other Revolving Commitment, Term Commitment or Other Term Commitment and (c) any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment with respect to a particular Class of Loans or Commitments. Other Term Commitments, Other Term Loans and Other Revolving Commitments (and the Other Revolving Loans made pursuant thereto) that have different terms and conditions shall be construed to be in different Classes.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Collateral ” means any and all assets, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, on which Liens are purported to be granted pursuant to the Security Documents as security for the Secured Obligations.

Collateral Agent ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Collateral Agreement.

Collateral Agreement ” means the Collateral Agreement among the Co-Borrower, each other Domestic Subsidiary that is a Loan Party and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit E .

Collateral and Guarantee Requirement ” means, at any time, the requirement that:

(a) the Administrative Agent shall have received from (i) Holdings, the Borrowers and each Subsidiary Loan Party either (x) a counterpart of the Guarantee Agreement duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person or (y) in the case of any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the Effective Date (including by ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary), a supplement to the Guarantee Agreement, in the form specified therein, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person (ii) Holdings and each Domestic Subsidiary Loan Party either (x) a counterpart of the Collateral Agreement duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person or (y) in the case of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party after the Effective Date (including by ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary), a supplement to the Collateral Agreement, in the form specified therein, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person and (iii) each Foreign Subsidiary that is a Loan Party either (x) counterparts to one or more Foreign Collateral Agreements or Foreign Pledge Agreements or (y) in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary Loan Party that becomes such after the Effective Date, either counterparts to a new supplements to existing Foreign Collateral Agreements or Foreign Pledge Agreements, in each case that the Administrative Agent

 

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determines, based on advice of counsel, to be reasonably necessary in order for the Secured Obligations to be secured by all or substantially all tangible and intangible assets of such Foreign Subsidiary (including Mortgaged Properties, accounts receivable, moveable assets (including inventory and equipment), contract rights, intellectual property and other general intangibles and proceeds of the foregoing, but excluding Equity Interests other than Equity Interests required to be pledged pursuant to clause (b) below) in which a security interest may be obtained under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Foreign Subsidiary, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person, in each case under this clause (a) together with, in the case of any such Loan Documents executed and delivered after the Effective Date, documents and opinions of the type referred to in Sections 4.01(b) and 4.01(c));

(b) all outstanding Equity Interests of each Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Equity Interests constituting Excluded Assets) owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party, shall have been pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, a Foreign Collateral Agreement or a Foreign Pledge Agreement, and the Administrative Agent shall have received certificates or other instruments representing all such Equity Interests (if any), together with undated stock powers or other instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

(c) if any Indebtedness for borrowed money (including in respect of cash management arrangements) of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or more is owing by such obligor to any Loan Party, such Indebtedness shall be evidenced by a promissory note that shall have been pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, or a Foreign Collateral Agreement, as applicable, and the Administrative Agent shall have received all such promissory notes, together with undated instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

(d) all certificates, agreements, documents and instruments, including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, required by the Security Documents, Requirements of Law and reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, delivered, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by the Security Documents and perfect such Liens to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, the Security Documents and the other provisions of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”, shall have been filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Administrative Agent for filing, registration or recording; and

(e) the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) counterparts of a Mortgage with respect to each Mortgaged Property duly executed and delivered by the record owner of such Mortgaged Property, (ii) to the extent applicable in the relevant jurisdiction (w) a policy or policies of title insurance in the amount equal to not less than 100% (or such lesser amount as reasonably agreed to by the Administrative Agent) of the fair market value of such Mortgaged Property and fixtures, as reasonably determined by the Parent Borrower and agreed to by the Administrative Agent, issued by a nationally recognized title insurance company reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent insuring the Lien of each such Mortgage as a first priority Lien on the Mortgaged Property described therein, free of any other Liens except as expressly permitted by Section 6.02, together with such endorsements (other than a creditor’s rights endorsement), coinsurance and reinsurance as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to the extent available in the applicable jurisdiction at commercially reasonable rates, (x) such affidavits, instruments of indemnification (including a so-called “gap” indemnification) as are customarily requested by the title company to induce the title company to issue the title policy/ies and endorsements contemplated above, (y) evidence reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent of payment by the Parent Borrower of all title policy premiums, search and examination charges, escrow charges and related charges, mortgage recording taxes, fees, charges, costs and expenses required for the recording of the Mortgages and issuance of the title policies referred to above, (z) a completed “Life-of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each Mortgaged Property subject to the applicable FEMA rules and regulations (together with a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the Parent Borrower and each Loan Party relating thereto), (iii) if any Mortgaged Property is located in an area determined by FEMA to have special flood hazards, evidence of such flood insurance as may be required under applicable law, including Regulation H of the Board of Governors and the other Flood Insurance Laws and as required under Section 5.07, and (iv) such legal opinions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request with respect to any such Mortgage or Mortgaged Property.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition or anything in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, (a) the foregoing provisions of this definition shall not require the creation or perfection of pledges of or security interests in, or the obtaining of title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables with respect to, particular assets of the Loan Parties, or the provision of Guarantees by any Subsidiary, if, and for so long as and to the extent that the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower reasonably agree in writing that the cost of creating or perfecting such pledges or security interests in such assets, or obtaining such title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables in respect of such assets, or providing such Guarantees (taking into account any material adverse Tax consequences to Holdings and its Affiliates (including the imposition of withholding or other material Taxes)), shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom, (b) Liens required to be granted from time to time pursuant to the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” shall be subject to exceptions and limitations set forth in the Security Documents as in effect on the Effective Date, (c) in no event shall control agreements or other control or similar arrangements be required with respect to deposit accounts, securities accounts, letter of credit rights or other assets requiring perfection by control (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, possession) and (d) in no event shall the Collateral include any Excluded Assets. The Administrative Agent may grant extensions of time for the creation and perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables with respect to particular assets or the provision of any Guarantee by any Subsidiary (including extensions beyond the Effective Date or in connection with assets acquired, or Subsidiaries formed or acquired, after the Effective Date) where it determines that such action cannot be accomplished without undue effort or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required to be accomplished by this Agreement or the Security Documents.

Commitment ” means (a) with respect to any Lender, its Revolving Commitment, Other Revolving Commitment of any Class, Term Commitment, Other Term Commitment of any Class or any combination thereof (as the context requires) and (b) with respect to any Swingline Lender, its Swingline Commitment.

Compliance Certificate ” means a Compliance Certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01.

Consolidated EBITDA ” means for any period, the Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus :

(a) without duplication and to the extent already deducted (and not added back) in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(i) total interest expense and, to the extent not reflected in such total interest expense, any losses on hedging obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk and any losses on the sale or receivables and related assets pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Factoring, net of interest income and gains on such hedging obligations or such derivative instruments, and bank and letter of credit fees and costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities,

(ii) provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including federal, foreign and state income, franchise, and similar taxes based on income, profits or capital paid or accrued during such period (including in respect of repatriated funds),

(iii) depreciation and amortization (including amortization of Capitalized Software Expenditures and amortization of deferred financing fees or costs),

(iv) Non-Cash Charges,

 

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(v) extraordinary losses in accordance with GAAP,

(vi) non-recurring charges (including any unusual or non-recurring operating expenses directly attributable to the implementation of cost savings initiatives), severance, relocation costs, integration and facilities’ opening costs and other business optimization expenses, signing costs, retention or completion bonuses, transition costs, costs related to closure/consolidation of facilities and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans (including any settlement of pension liabilities); provided that the amount included in Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (vi) shall not exceed $10,000,000 in any Test Period and a maximum of $40,000,000 prior to the Latest Maturity Date, in each case, in the aggregate,

(vii) restructuring charges, accruals or reserves (including restructuring costs related to acquisitions after the Effective Date and adjustments to existing reserves); provided that the aggregate amount included in Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (vii) for any of the first four Test Periods after the Effective Date shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA for any such Test Period (calculated prior to giving effect to any adjustment pursuant to this clause (vii)) and any Test Period thereafter shall not exceed 5% of Consolidated EBITDA for such Test Period (calculated prior to giving effect to any adjustment pursuant to this clause (vii)),

(viii) the amount of any non-controlling interest consisting of subsidiary income attributable to non-controlling interests of third parties in any non-wholly-owned subsidiary deducted (and not added back in such period to Consolidated Net Income) excluding cash distributions in respect thereof,

(ix) (A) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees, indemnities and related expenses paid or accrued in such period to (or on behalf of) the Sponsor (including any termination fees payable in connection with the early termination of management and monitoring agreements) and (B) the amount of expenses relating to payments made to option holders of Holdings or any of its direct or indirect parent companies in connection with, or as a result of, any distribution being made to shareholders of such person or its direct or indirect parent companies, which payments are being made to compensate such option holders as though they were shareholders at the time of, and entitled to share in, such distribution, in each case to the extent permitted in the Loan Documents,

(x) losses on asset sales, disposals or abandonments (other than asset sales, disposals or abandonments in the ordinary course of business),

(xi) the amount of any net losses from discontinued operations in accordance with GAAP,

(xii) any non-cash loss attributable to the mark to market movement in the valuation of hedging obligations (to the extent the cash impact resulting from such loss has not been realized) or other derivative instruments pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Codification No. 815-Derivatives and Hedging,

(xiii) any loss relating to amounts paid in cash prior to the stated settlement date of any hedging obligation that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income for such period, and

(xiv) any gain relating to hedging obligations associated with transactions realized in the current period that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income in prior periods and excluded from Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clauses (d)(v) and (d)(vi) below;

plus

 

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(b) without duplication, the amount of additional “run rate” cost savings projected by the Parent Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions initiated on or prior to the date that is 12 months after the Effective Date (including actions initiated prior to the Effective Date) (which cost savings shall be added to Consolidated EBITDA until fully realized and calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of the relevant period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized from such actions; provided that (A) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and quantifiable, (B) no cost savings shall be added pursuant to this clause (b) to the extent duplicative of any expenses or charges relating to such cost savings that are included in clauses (a)(vi) and (a)(vii) above or in the definition of the term “Pro Forma Adjustment” (it being understood and agreed that “run rate” shall mean the full recurring benefit that is associated with any action taken) and (C) the aggregate amount of cost savings added pursuant to this clause shall not exceed an amount equal to 15% of Consolidated EBITDA for any Test Period;

(c) without duplication, the amount of discretionary research and development costs incurred by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries which are identified in good faith by the Parent Borrower to have been incurred specifically for the purposes of qualifying for a reduced tax rate or other tax incentive in Brazil and that were not required to support the Parent Borrower’s ongoing research and development activities; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of such costs added pursuant to this clause shall not exceed $15,000,000 in any Test Period and (ii) if the aggregate amount of such costs added pursuant to this clause with respect to any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower exceeds the tax benefit actually derived therefrom calculated by the Parent Borrower in good faith based on its annual tax returns, the amount of any such excess shall reduce Consolidated EBITDA in the fiscal quarter in which such annual tax returns are filed or, if earlier, in the fiscal quarter in which such excess is determined;

less

(d) without duplication and to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(i) extraordinary gains and unusual or non-recurring gains,

(ii) non-cash gains (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDA in any prior period),

(iii) gains on asset sales, disposals or abandonments (other than asset sales, disposals or abandonments in the ordinary course of business),

(iv) the amount of any net income from discontinued operations in accordance with GAAP,

(v) any non-cash gain attributable to the mark to market movement in the valuation of hedging obligations (to the extent the cash impact resulting from such gain has not been realized) or other derivative instruments pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Codification No. 815-Derivatives and Hedging,

(vi) any gain relating to amounts received in cash prior to the stated settlement date of any hedging obligation that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income in the such period,

(vii) any loss relating to hedging obligations associated with transactions realized in the current period that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income in prior periods and excluded from Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clauses (a)(xiii) and (a)(xiv) above, and

 

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(viii) the amount of any non-controlling interest consisting of subsidiary loss attributable to non-controlling interests of third parties in any non-wholly-owned subsidiary added (and not deducted in such period to Consolidated Net Income);

in each case, as determined on a consolidated basis for the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP; provided that, to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income,

(I) there shall be excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of indebtedness (including the net loss or gain resulting from hedging agreements for currency exchange risk and revaluations of intercompany balances),

(II) there shall be excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period any adjustments resulting from the application of Financial Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Codification No. 815-Derivatives and Hedging,

(III) there shall be included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period, without duplication, (A) the Acquired EBITDA of any person, property, business or asset acquired by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) whether such acquisition occurred before or after the Effective Date to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (but not including the Acquired EBITDA of any related person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired) (each such person, property, business or asset acquired, including pursuant to the Transactions or pursuant to a transaction consummated prior to the Effective Date, and not subsequently so disposed of, an “ Acquired Entity or Business ”), and the Acquired EBITDA of any Unrestricted Subsidiary that is converted into a Restricted Subsidiary during such period (each, a “ Converted Restricted Subsidiary ”), in each case based on the Acquired EBITDA of such Pro Forma Entity for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis and (B) an adjustment in respect of each Pro Forma Entity equal to the amount of the Pro Forma Adjustment with respect to such Pro Forma Entity for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) as specified in a Pro Forma Adjustment certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent (for further delivery to the Lenders), and

(IV) there shall be (A) excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period the Disposed EBITDA of any person, property, business or asset (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified as discontinued operations by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (including, in any event, the Storage Business) (each such person, property, business or asset so sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified, a “ Sold Entity or Business ”), and the Disposed EBITDA of any Restricted Subsidiary that is converted into an Unrestricted Subsidiary during such period (each, a “ Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary ”), in each case based on the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such sale, transfer, disposition, closure, classification or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis and (B) included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period in which a Sold Entity or Business is disposed, an adjustment equal to the Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment with respect to such Sold Entity or Business (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such disposal) as specified in the Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent (for further delivery to the Lenders).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for all purposes of this Agreement, Consolidated EBITDA shall be deemed to equal (a) $33,444,000 for the fiscal quarter ended November 26, 2010, (b) $18,288,000 for the fiscal quarter ended February 25, 2011 and (c) $21,199,000 for the fiscal quarter ended May 27, 2011.

 

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Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net income (loss) of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, excluding, without duplication, (a) extraordinary items for such period, (b) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, (c) Transaction Costs, (d) any fees and expenses (including any transaction or retention bonus) incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, asset disposition, issuance or repayment of debt, issuance of equity securities, refinancing transaction or amendment or other modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Effective Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed and all fees and expenses incurred during such period in connection with the performance of Section 5.17) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, (e) any income (loss) for such period attributable to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, hedging agreements or other derivative instruments, (f) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted as a result of the Transactions in accordance with GAAP (including any adjustment of estimated payouts on existing earn-outs) or changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period, (g) stock-based award compensation expenses, (h) any income (loss) attributable to deferred compensation plans or trusts and (i) any income (loss) from investments recorded using the equity method. There shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income for any period the effects from applying acquisition method accounting, including applying acquisition method accounting to inventory, property and equipment, leases, software and other intangible assets and deferred revenue (including deferred costs related thereto and deferred rent) required or permitted by GAAP and related authoritative pronouncements (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries), as a result of the Transactions, any acquisition consummated prior to the Effective Date and any permitted acquisitions or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof.

In addition, to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received or due from business interruption insurance or reimbursement of expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification and other reimbursement provisions in connection with any acquisition or other Investment or any disposition of any asset permitted hereunder.

Consolidated Secured Debt ” means Consolidated Total Debt that is secured by a Lien on the Collateral.

Consolidated Secured Net Debt ” means Consolidated Total Net Debt that is secured by a Lien on the Collateral.

Consolidated Total Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (but excluding the effects of any discounting of indebtedness resulting from the application of acquisition method accounting in connection with the Transactions or any permitted acquisition) consisting only of indebtedness for borrowed money, unreimbursed obligations under letters of credit, obligations in respect of Capitalized Leases and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes or similar instruments.

Consolidated Total Net Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, (a) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (but excluding the effects of any discounting of indebtedness resulting from the application of acquisition method accounting in connection with the Transactions or any permitted acquisition) consisting only of indebtedness for borrowed money, unreimbursed obligations under letters of credit, obligations in respect of Capitalized Leases and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes or similar instruments, minus (b) the aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents (for the avoidance of doubt, as of the last day of the applicable Test Period) to the extent the use thereof for the application to payment of indebtedness is not prohibited by law or any contract to which the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or otherwise listed as “restricted” on the Parent Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet; provided that, in no event, shall the amount deducted pursuant to this clause (b) be more than $75,000,000.

 

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Consolidated Working Capital ” means, at any date, the excess of (a) the sum of all amounts (other than cash and Permitted Investments) that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date, excluding the current portion of current and deferred income taxes over (b) the sum of all amounts that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current liabilities” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on such date, including deferred revenue but excluding, without duplication, (i) the current portion of any Funded Debt, (ii) all Indebtedness consisting of Loans and obligations under Letters of Credit to the extent otherwise included therein, (iii) the current portion of interest and (iv) the current portion of current and deferred income taxes; provided that, for purposes of calculating Excess Cash Flow, increases or decreases in working capital (A) arising from acquisitions or dispositions by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be measured from the date on which such acquisition or disposition occurred until the first anniversary of such acquisition or disposition with respect to the Person subject to such acquisition or disposition and (B) shall exclude (I) the impact of non-cash adjustments contemplated in the Excess Cash Flow calculation, (II) the impact of adjusting items in the definition of “Consolidated Net Income”, (III) any changes in current assets or current liabilities as a result of (y) any reclassification in accordance with GAAP of assets or liabilities, as applicable, between current and noncurrent or (z) the effects of acquisition method accounting; and (IV) the impact of any Permitted Receivables Factoring to the extent the cash proceeds of such Permitted Receivables Factoring do not result in an equivalent decrease in Excess Cash Flow.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies, or the dismissal or appointment of the management, of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

Converted Restricted Subsidiary ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”

Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”

Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness ” means(a) Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt, (b) Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt, (c) Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt or (d) Indebtedness incurred or Other Revolving Commitments obtained pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, in each case, issued, incurred or otherwise obtained (including by means of the extension or renewal of existing Indebtedness) in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace or refinance, in whole or part, existing Term Loans, outstanding Revolving Loans or (in the case of Other Revolving Commitments obtained pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment) Revolving Commitments hereunder (including any successive Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness) (“ Refinanced Debt ”); provided that (i) such extending, renewing or refinancing Indebtedness (including, if such Indebtedness includes any Other Revolving Commitments, the unused portion of such Other Revolving Commitments) is in an original aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt (and, in the case of Refinanced Debt consisting, in whole or in part, of unused Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments, the amount thereof plus the amount of all accrued and unpaid interest, reasonable fees and premiums thereon and fees and expenses in connection therewith), (ii) such Indebtedness does not mature earlier than and, except in the case of Other Revolving Commitments, a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Refinanced Debt, and (iii) such Refinanced Debt shall be repaid, defeased or satisfied and discharged, and all accrued interest, fees and premiums (if any) in connection therewith shall be paid, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained; provided that to the extent that such Refinanced Debt consists, in whole or in part, of Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments (or Revolving Loans, Other Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans incurred pursuant to any Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments), such Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments, as applicable, shall be terminated, and all accrued fees in connection therewith shall be paid, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained.

 

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Cure Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.02(a).

Cure Right ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.02(a).

Default ” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that has (a) failed to fund any portion of its Loans or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans within one Business Day of the date on which such funding is required hereunder, (b) notified the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement or provided any written notification to any Person to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent (whether acting on its own behalf or at the reasonable request of the Parent Borrower (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall comply with any such reasonable request)), to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, (d) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute or subsequently cured, or (e) (i) become or is insolvent or has a parent company that has become or is insolvent, (ii) become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or any action or proceeding of the type described in Sections 7.01(h) or (i), or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian, appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action.

Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure ” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the Issuing Bank, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding Letter of Credit obligations other than Letter of Credit obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or cash collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swingline Loans other than Swingline Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or cash collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.

Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Discount Range ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11 (a)(ii)(C).

Discount Range Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Discount Range Prepayment Notice ” means a written notice of a Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) substantially in the form of Exhibit M .

Discount Range Prepayment Offer ” means the irrevocable written offer by a Term Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit N , submitted in response to an invitation to submit offers following the Auction Agent’s receipt of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice.

Discount Range Prepayment Response Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

 

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Discount Range Proration ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Discounted Prepayment Determination Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Discounted Prepayment Effective Date ” means, in the case of a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment or Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offer, five (5) Business Days following the receipt by each relevant Term Lender of notice from the Auction Agent in accordance with Section 2.1l(a)(ii)(B), Section 2.1l(a)(ii)(C) or Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D), as applicable unless a shorter period is agreed to between a Borrower and the Auction Agent.

Discounted Term Loan Prepayment ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(A).

Disposition ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.05.

Disqualified Equity Interest ” means, with respect to any Person, any Equity Interest in such Person that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable, either mandatorily or at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event or condition:

(a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests), whether pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

(b) is convertible or exchangeable, either mandatorily or at the option of the holder thereof, for Indebtedness or Equity Interests (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests); or

(c) is redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests) or is required to be repurchased by such Person or any of its Affiliates, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder thereof;

in each case, on or prior to the date 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date; provided , however , that (i) an Equity Interest in any Person that would not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest but for terms thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to redeem or purchase such Equity Interest upon the occurrence of an “asset sale” or a “change of control” shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest if any such requirement becomes operative only after repayment in full of all the Loans and all other Loan Document Obligations that are accrued and payable, the cancellation or expiration of all Letters of Credit and the termination of the Commitments and (ii) if an Equity Interest in any Person is issued pursuant to any plan for the benefit of employees of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any of its subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Equity Interest shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest solely because it may be required to be repurchased by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof) or any of its subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations of such Person.

Disposed EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary for any period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary (determined as if references to the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the definition of the term “Consolidated EBITDA” (and in the component financial definitions used therein) were references to such Sold Entity or Business and its subsidiaries or to Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary and its subsidiaries), all as determined on a consolidated basis for such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary.

dollars ” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

 

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Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

ECF Percentage ” means, with respect to the prepayment required by Section 2.11(d) with respect to any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, if the Secured Leverage Ratio (prior to giving effect to the applicable prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11(d)) as of the end of such fiscal year is (a) greater than 2.00 to 1.00, 75% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year, (b) greater than 1.50 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00, 50% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year (c) greater than 1.00 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00, 25% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year and (d) less than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00, 0% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year.

EEA Financial Institution ” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent;

EEA Member Country ” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority ” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Effective Dat e” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 were satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02), which date was August 26, 2011.

Eligible Assignee ” means (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c) an Approved Fund and (d) any other Person (including the Parent Borrower or any of its Affiliates), other than, in each case, (i) a natural person, (ii) a Defaulting Lender and (iii) those Persons identified by Holdings to the Joint Bookrunners prior to the Effective Date in writing (including by email) and acknowledged by the Joint Bookrunners as ineligible to be an Eligible Assignee.

EMU Legislation ” means the legislative measures of the European Council for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single or unified European currency.

Environmental Laws ” means the common law and all applicable treaties, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, judgments, orders, decrees and other applicable Requirements of Law, and all applicable injunctions or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority, in each instance relating to the protection of the environment, to preservation or reclamation of natural resources, to Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or to the extent relating to exposure to Hazardous Materials, to health or safety matters.

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, obligation, loss, claim, action, order or cost, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of medical monitoring, costs of environmental remediation or restoration, administrative oversight costs, consultants’ fees, fines, penalties and indemnities), of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law or permit, license or approval issued thereunder, (b) Environmental Laws and the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

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Equity Financing ” means the contribution by the Sponsor and the Management Investors, directly or indirectly through one or more direct or indirect holding company parents of Holdings, of cash equity contributions to Holdings on the Effective Date in exchange for Qualified Equity Interests that are treated as equity by S&P and Moody’s.

Equity Interests ” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with Holdings, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

ERISA Event ” means (a) any “reportable event,” as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30 day notice period is waived); (b) prior to the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, the existence with respect to any Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) or, on and after the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, in each case whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to, prior to the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA or, on and after the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA, of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) on and after the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at-risk” status (as defined in Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA or Section 430(i)(4) of the Code); (e) the incurrence by the Parent Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (f) the receipt by the Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (g) the incurrence by the Parent Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (h) the receipt by the Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or, on and after the effectiveness of the applicable provisions of the Pension Act, in endangered or critical status, within the meaning of Section 305 of ERISA.

euro ” means the single currency of the European Union as constituted by the Treaty on European Union and as referred to in the EMU Legislation.

“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Eurocurrency ” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

Event of Defaul t” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.

Excess Cash Balance ” means, for any period, the excess (if any) of (a) the aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents on the Parent Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet on the final day of such period less (b) $25,000,000; provided that for purposes of calculating the Excess Cash Balance payable with respect to the fiscal quarters ending November 25, 2016 and February 24, 2017 the amount described in clause (b) shall be deemed to be the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) such amount as is required to be in compliance, after giving Pro Forma Effect to any prepayments of Excess Cash Balance pursuant to Section 2.11(h), with Section 6.12(a) for the applicable Test Period (assuming for purposes of such calculation that Revolving Loans are outstanding in an aggregate principal amount equal to the total Revolving Commitments at such time (in addition to, but without duplication of, Revolving Loans actually outstanding at such time)).

 

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Excess Cash Flow ” means, for any period, an amount equal to the excess of:

(a) the sum, without duplication, of:

(i) Consolidated Net Income for such period,

(ii) an amount equal to the amount of all Non-Cash Charges to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income,

(iii) decreases in Consolidated Working Capital and long-term account receivables for such period,

(iv) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash loss on dispositions by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, and

(v) extraordinary gains; less :

(b) the sum, without duplication, of:

(i) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash credits included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income (including any amounts included in Consolidated Net Income pursuant to the last sentence of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income” to the extent such amounts are due but not received during such period) and cash charges included in clauses (a) through (i) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income” (other than cash charges in respect of Transaction Costs paid on or about the Effective Date to the extent financed with the proceeds of Indebtedness incurred on the Effective Date or an equity investment on the Effective Date),

(ii) without duplication of amounts deducted pursuant to clause (xi) below in prior fiscal years, the amount of Capital Expenditures made in cash or accrued during such period, except to the extent that such Capital Expenditures were financed with the proceeds of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(iii) the aggregate amount of all principal payments of Indebtedness, including (A) the principal component of payments in respect of Capitalized Leases and (B) the amount of any mandatory prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(c) to the extent required due to a disposition that resulted in an increase to Consolidated Net Income and not in excess of the amount of such increase but excluding (X) below par purchases of Term Loans by either Borrower, (Y) all other prepayments of Term Loans and (Z) all prepayments of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans) made during such period (other than in respect of any revolving credit facility to the extent there is an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder), except to the extent financed with the proceeds of other Indebtedness of a Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(iv) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash gain on dispositions by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income,

(v) increases in Consolidated Working Capital and long-term account receivables for such period,

 

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(vi) cash payments by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of long-term liabilities of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries other than Indebtedness,

(vii) without duplication of amounts deducted pursuant to clause (xi) below in prior fiscal years, the amount of Investments and acquisitions made during such period pursuant to Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(a)) to the extent that such Investments and acquisitions were financed with internally generated cash flow of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(viii) the amount of Restricted Payments paid during such period pursuant to Section 6.08(a)(vi) to the extent such Restricted Payments were financed with internally generated cash flow of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and without duplication of amounts deducted when calculating Consolidated Net Income for such period,

(ix) the aggregate amount of expenditures actually made by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in cash during such period (including expenditures for the payment of financing fees) to the extent that such expenditures are not expensed during such period,

(x) the aggregate amount of any premium, make-whole or penalty payments actually paid in cash by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that are required to be made in connection with any prepayment of Indebtedness,

(xi) without duplication of amounts deducted from Excess Cash Flow in prior periods, the aggregate consideration required to be paid in cash by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to binding contracts (the “ Contract Consideration ”) entered into prior to or during such period relating to Investments or Capital Expenditures (including Capitalized Software Expenditures or other purchases of intellectual property) to be consummated or made during the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Parent Borrower following the end of such period; provided that to the extent the aggregate amount of internally generated cash actually utilized to finance such Investments or Capital Expenditures during such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters is less than the Contract Consideration, the amount of such shortfall shall be added to the calculation of Excess Cash Flow at the end of such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters,

(xii) the amount of cash taxes paid in such period to the extent they exceed the amount of tax expense deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, and

(xiii) extraordinary losses.

 

Exchange Act ” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

Excluded Assets ” means (a) any fee-owned real property with a fair market value of less than $5,000,000 and all leasehold interests in real property, (b) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title or ownership, (c) Equity Interests in any Person (other than any wholly-owned   Restricted Subsidiaries) to the extent not permitted by the terms of such Person’s Organizational Documents, (d) letter of credit rights with a value of less than $5,000,000 (except to the extent a security interest therein can be perfected by a UCC filing), (e) commercial tort claims with a value of less than $5,000,000 (except to the extent a security interest therein can be perfected by a UCC filing), (f) any lease, license or other agreement with any Person if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations constitutes a breach of or a default under, or results in the termination of, such lease, license or other agreement (but only to the extent any of the foregoing is not rendered ineffective by, or is otherwise unenforceable under, any Requirements of Law), (g) any asset subject to a Lien of the type permitted by Section 6.02(iv) under the Original Credit Agreement (whether or not incurred pursuant to such Section) or a Lien permitted by Section 6.02(xi) under the Original Credit Agreement, in each case

 

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if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations constitutes a breach of or a default under any agreement pursuant to which such Lien has been created (but only to the extent any of the foregoing is not rendered ineffective by, or is otherwise unenforceable under, any Requirements of Law), (h) any intent-to-use trademark applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, (i) any asset with respect to which the Parent Borrower shall have provided to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that, based on the advice of outside counsel or tax advisors of national recognition, the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations would result in adverse tax consequences to Holdings and the Subsidiaries (other than on account of any Taxes payable in connection with filings, recordings, registrations, stampings and any similar acts in connection with the creation or perfection of Liens) that shall have been determined by the Parent Borrower to be material to the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and (j) any asset if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations is prohibited by any Requirements of Law (other than to the extent that any such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to any other applicable Requirements of Law).

Excluded Subsidiary ” means (a) any Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent Borrower on the Effective Date or, if later, the date it first becomes a Subsidiary, (b) each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.01(a) , (c) any Subsidiary that is prohibited by applicable Law or contractual obligation from guaranteeing the Secured Obligations, (d) any Subsidiary, substantially all of the assets of which constitute Equity Interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Code and (e) any other Subsidiary excused from becoming a Loan Party pursuant to the last paragraph of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Foreign Subsidiary of the Co-Borrower that is a “controlled foreign corporation” with the meaning of Section 957 of the Code); provided that in no event shall the Co-Borrower be an Excluded Subsidiary.

Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (a) Taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income, profits or branch profits (however denominated), and franchise Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), by (i) the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, or (ii) any jurisdiction as a result of a present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than a connection arising solely from such recipient having executed, delivered, or become a party to, performed its obligations or received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, sold or assigned of an interest in, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Documents), (b) any withholding Tax that is attributable to a Lender’s failure to comply with Sections 2.17(e), (c) except in the case of an assignee pursuant to a request by a Borrower under Section 2.19 hereto, any U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed due to a Requirement of Law in effect at the time a Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts with respect to such withholding Tax under Section 2.17(a) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed pursuant to FATCA.

Existing LCs ” means the outstanding letters of credit existing as of the Effective Date and listed on Schedule 1.01(b) .

FATCA ” means current Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as in effect on the Effective Date (and any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder or official interpretations thereof).

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it; provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate is less than zero, then the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Financial Officer ” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Parent Borrower.

Financial Performance Covenant ” means the covenant set forth in Section 6.12(a).

Financing Transactions ” means (a) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is to be a party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, and (b) the Equity Financing.

First Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” means the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G among the Administrative Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt, with such modifications thereto as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree.

First Refinancing Amendment ” means the First Refinancing Amendment to this Agreement dated as of August 20, 2014, among Holdings, the Borrowers, the New Revolving Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

First Refinancing Amendment Effective Date ” has the meaning assigned thereto in the First Refinancing Amendment.

Foreign Collateral Agreement ” means one or more security documents among the applicable Non US Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent granting a Lien on the assets of such Non US Loan Parties to secure the Secured Obligations. Each Foreign Collateral Agreement shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower.

Foreign Pledge Agreement ” means a pledge or charge agreement with respect to the Collateral that constitutes Equity Interests of a Foreign Subsidiary or, if the holder of such Collateral is a Foreign Subsidiary, constitutes Equity Interests of a Domestic Subsidiary. Each Foreign Pledge Agreement shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower.

Foreign Prepayment Event ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(g).

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

Fourth Amendment ” means that certain Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of the Restatement Effective Date, among Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

Funded Debt ” means all Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for borrowed money that matures more than one year from the date of its creation or matures within one year from such date that is renewable or extendable, at the option of such Person, to a date more than one year from such date or arises under a revolving credit or similar agreement that obligates the lender or lenders to extend credit during a period of more than one year from such date, including Indebtedness in respect of the Loans.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect on the Effective Date; provided , however , that if the Parent Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Parent Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Parent Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or

 

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such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Codification 825, “Financial Instruments,” or any successor thereto (including pursuant to the Accounting Standards Codification), to value any Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any subsidiary at “fair value,” as defined therein.

Governmental Approvals ” means all authorizations, consents, approvals, permits, licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and reports to, Governmental Authorities.

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Granting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(e).

Guarantee ” of or by any Person (the “ guarantor ”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Effective Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

Guarantee Agreement ” means the Master Guarantee Agreement among the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit B .

Hazardous Materials ” means all explosive, radioactive, hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum by-products or distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated as hazardous or toxic, or any other term of similar import, pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Holdings ” means (a) prior to any IPO, Initial Holdings and (b) on and after an IPO, (i) if the IPO Entity is Initial Holdings or any Person of which Initial Holdings is a Subsidiary, Initial Holdings or (ii) if the IPO Entity is a Subsidiary of Initial Holdings, the IPO Entity.

Identified Participating Lenders ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Identified Qualifying Lenders ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations off such Person in respect

 

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of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances; provided that the term “Indebtedness” shall not include (i) deferred or prepaid revenue and (ii) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the seller. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (e) above shall (unless such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person) be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (A) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (B) the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith.

Indemnified Taxes ” means all Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b).

Information Memorandum ” means the Confidential Information Memorandum dated June 2011, relating to the Loan Parties and the Transactions.

Initial Holdings ” means SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.

Intellectual Property ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Interest Election Request ” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing or Term Loan Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07.

Interest Payment Dat e” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (including a Swingline Loan), the last day of each February, May, August and November and (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter (or, if agreed to by each Lender participating therein, nine or twelve months or such other period less than one month thereafter as such Borrower may elect), provided that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, and (b) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Intermediate Parent ” means any Subsidiary of Holdings of which each of the Parent Borrower and the Co-Borrower are Subsidiaries.

 

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Investment ” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests or debt or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person (excluding, in the case of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, intercompany loans, advances, or Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business) or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another Person or assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person. The amount, as of any date of determination, of (a) any Investment in the form of a loan or an advance shall be the principal amount thereof outstanding on such date, minus any cash payments actually received by such investor representing interest in respect of such Investment (to the extent any such payment to be deducted does not exceed the remaining principal amount of such Investment), but without any adjustment for write-downs or write-offs (including as a result of forgiveness of any portion thereof) with respect to such loan or advance after the date thereof, (b) any Investment in the form of a Guarantee shall be equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof, as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer, (c) any Investment in the form of a transfer of Equity Interests or other non-cash property by the investor to the investee, including any such transfer in the form of a capital contribution, shall be the fair market value (as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer) of such Equity Interests or other property as of the time of the transfer, minus any payments actually received by such investor representing a return of capital of, or dividends or other distributions in respect of, such Investment (to the extent such payments do not exceed, in the aggregate, the original amount of such Investment), but without any other adjustment for increases or decreases in value of, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to, such Investment after the date of such Investment, and (c) any Investment (other than any Investment referred to in clause (a), (b) or (c) above) by the specified Person in the form of a purchase or other acquisition for value of any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities of any other Person shall be the original cost of such Investment (including any Indebtedness assumed in connection therewith), plus (i) the cost of all additions thereto and minus (ii) the amount of any portion of such Investment that has been repaid to the investor in cash as a repayment of principal or a return of capital, and of any cash payments actually received by such investor representing interest, dividends or other distributions in respect of such Investment (to the extent the amounts referred to in clause (ii) do not, in the aggregate, exceed the original cost of such Investment plus the costs of additions thereto), but without any other adjustment for increases or decreases in value of, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to, such Investment after the date of such Investment. For purposes of Section 6.04, if an Investment involves the acquisition of more than one Person, the amount of such Investment shall be allocated among the acquired Persons in accordance with GAAP; provided that pending the final determination of the amounts to be so allocated in accordance with GAAP, such allocation shall be as reasonably determined by a Financial Officer.

Investor ” means a holder of Equity Interests in Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof).

Investor Management Agreement ” means the Transaction and Management Fee Agreement among certain Investors and/or management companies associated with certain Investors and Saleen Acquisition, Inc.

Investor Termination Fees ” means the one-time payment under the Investor Management Agreement of a success fee to one or more of the Investors and their respective Affiliates in the event of either a change of control or the completion of an IPO.

IPO ” means the initial underwritten public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) of common Equity Interests in the IPO Entity.

IPO Entity ” means, at any time at and after an IPO, Initial Holdings, a parent entity of Initial Holdings, or an Intermediate Parent, as the case may be, the Equity Interests of which were issued or otherwise sold pursuant to the IPO; provided that, immediately following the IPO, the Parent Borrower is a wholly-owned subsidiaries of such IPO Entity and such IPO Entity owns, directly or through its subsidiaries, substantially all the businesses and assets owned or conducted, directly or indirectly, by the Parent Borrower immediately prior to the IPO.

 

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Issuing Bank ” means (a) Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., (b) Barclays Bank PLC, and (c) each Revolving Lender that shall have become an Issuing Bank hereunder as provided in Section 2.05(k) (other than any Person that shall have ceased to be an Issuing Bank as provided in Section 2.05(l)), each in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder. Each Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate. Barclays Bank PLC as Issuing Bank shall not be obligated to issue any commercial or trade Letters of Credit.

Joint Bookrunners ” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and UBS Securities LLC.

Joint Lead Arrangers ” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and UBS Securities LLC.

Judgment Currency ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.14(b).

Junior Financing ” means any Material Indebtedness (other than any permitted intercompany Indebtedness owing to Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary), including Permitted Holdings Debt, that is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations, and any Permitted Refinancing in respect of any of the foregoing.

Latest Maturity Date ” means, at any date of determination, the latest maturity or expiration date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at such time, including the latest maturity or expiration date of any Other Term Loan, any Other Term Commitment, any Other Revolving Loan or any Other Revolving Commitment, in each case as extended in accordance with this Agreement from time to time.

LC Disbursement ” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

LC Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of all Letters of Credit that remains available for drawing at such time and (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of such Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the International Standby Practices (ISP98), such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided , that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

Lenders ” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or a Refinancing Amendment, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lenders.

Letter of Credit ” means any letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to this Agreement other than any such letter of credit or bank guarantee that shall have ceased to be a “Letter of Credit” outstanding hereunder pursuant to Section 9.05.

Letter of Credit Sublimit ” means $15,000,000.

 

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LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period by reference to the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in such currency (as reflected on the applicable Reuters screen), for a period equal to such Interest Period, or, if an interest rate is not ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average of the rates per annum at which deposits in such currency are offered for such Interest Period to major banks in the London interbank market by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing (i) with respect to Term Loans, the LIBO Rate in respect of any applicable Interest Period will be deemed to be 1.25% per annum if the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period calculated pursuant to the foregoing provisions would otherwise be less than 1.25% per annum and (ii) otherwise, the LIBO Rate in respect of any applicable Interest Period will be deemed to be 1.00% per annum if the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period determined pursuant to the foregoing provisions would otherwise be less than 1.00%.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

Liquidity Prepayment Condition ” means that the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries would have at least $40,000,000 in the aggregate of (x) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on hand and (y) unused and available Revolving Commitments (consistent with the calculation of such under Section 2.12(a)).

Loan Document Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, any Refinancing Amendment, the Guarantee Agreement, the Collateral Agreement, the other Security Documents, the Trust Agreement and, except for purposes of Section 9.02, any promissory notes delivered pursuant to Section 2.09(e).

Loan Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.

Loan Parties ” means Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

Loans ” means the loans made by the Lenders to any Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

Logistics Business ” means the Borrowers’ global supply chain services business which encompasses resources and information technology to provide customized customer programs including planning, forecasting, procurement, logistics, inventory management, programming, labeling, kitting, packaging and other value-added services.

Majority in Interest ”, when used in reference to Lenders of any Class, means, at any time, (a) in the case of the Revolving Lenders, Lenders having Revolving Exposures and unused Revolving Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the aggregate Revolving Exposures and the unused aggregate Revolving Commitments at such time and (b) in the case of the Term Lenders of any Class, Lenders holding outstanding Term Loans of such Class representing more than 50% of all Term Loans of such Class outstanding at such time; provided that (a) the Revolving Exposures, Term Loans and unused Commitments of the Borrowers or any Affiliate thereof and (b) whenever there are one or more Defaulting Lenders, the total outstanding Term Loans and Revolving Exposures of, and the unused Revolving Commitments of, each Defaulting Lender shall in each case be excluded for purposes of making a determination of the Majority in Interest.

Management Investors ” means the directors, officers and employees of the Target, Holdings, the Parent Borrower and/or any of their Subsidiaries who are (directly or indirectly through one or more investment vehicles) Investors in Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) on the Effective Date.

 

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Material Adverse Effect ” means any event, circumstance or condition that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a materially adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, results of operations, properties, or financial condition of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Parent Borrower and the other Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their payment obligations under the Loan Documents or (c) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Loan Documents.

Material Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness (other than the Loan Document Obligations), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $15,000,000; provided that for purposes of the definition of “Change of Control” and Junior Financing such amount shall be $50,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that Holdings, the Parent Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

Material Subsidiary ” means (a) each wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary that, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower most recently ended, had revenues or total assets for such quarter in excess of 5% of the consolidated revenues or total assets, as applicable, of the Parent Borrower for such quarter and (b) any group comprising wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries that each would not have been a Material Subsidiary under clause (i) but that, taken together, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower most recently ended, had revenues or total assets for such quarter in excess of 10% of the consolidated revenues or total assets, as applicable, of the Parent Borrower for such quarter; provided that solely for purposes of Sections 7.01(h) and (i) each such Subsidiary forming part of such group is subject to an Event of Default under one or more of such Sections.

Monetization ” means the receipt of Net Proceeds by the Target or any of its Affiliates (other than any of its Subsidiaries) from (a) the direct or indirect Disposition or other direct or indirect transfer of all or a portion of Storage Parent or its assets, (b) any direct or indirect dividend, distribution, payment of equity or repurchase of equity or other repayment of a return on investment in Storage Parent or its subsidiaries or (c) any other transaction the substantive effect of which is the same as transactions described in clauses (a) or (b). Any series of related transaction of the type referred to above shall be treated together as a single transaction for purposes of Section 5.15.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Mortgage ” means a mortgage, deed of trust, assignment of leases and rents, leasehold mortgage or other security document granting a Lien on any Mortgaged Property to secure the Secured Obligations, provided , however , in the event any Mortgaged Property is located in a jurisdiction which imposes mortgage recording taxes or similar fees, the applicable Mortgage shall not secure an amount in excess of 100% of the fair market value of such Mortgaged Property, as reasonably agreed by the Parent Borrower and agreed to by the Administrative Agent. Each Mortgage shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower with such modifications as may be required by local laws.

Mortgaged Property ” means each parcel of real property and the improvements thereon owned in fee by a Loan Party with respect to which a Mortgage is granted pursuant to Section 5.11 or 5.12.

Multiemployer Plan ” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Net Proceeds ” means, with respect to any event, (a) the proceeds received in respect of such event in cash or Permitted Investments, including (i) any cash or Permitted Investments received in respect of any non cash proceeds (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment or earn-out, but excluding any interest payments), but only as and when received, (ii) in the case of a casualty, insurance proceeds, and (iii) in the case of a condemnation

 

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or similar event, condemnation awards and similar payments, minus (b) the sum of (i) all fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid by Holdings, any Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such event (including attorney’s fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, underwriting discounts and commissions, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant, accountant and other customary fees), (ii) in the case of a sale, transfer or other disposition of an asset (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction or a casualty or a condemnation or similar proceeding), (x) the amount of all payments that are permitted hereunder and are made by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such event to repay Indebtedness (other than the Loans) secured by such asset or otherwise subject to mandatory prepayment as a result of such event, (y) the pro rata portion of net cash proceeds thereof (calculated without regard to this clause (y)) attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a result thereof and (z) the amount of any liabilities directly associated with such asset and retained by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) the amount of all Taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable), and the amount of any reserves established by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries to fund contingent liabilities reasonably estimated to be payable, that are directly attributable to such event, provided that any reduction at any time in the amount of any such reserves (other than as a result of payments made in respect thereof) shall be deemed to constitute the receipt by the Parent Borrower at such time of Net Proceeds in the amount of such reduction.

Non-Cash Charges ” means (a) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down related to intangible assets (including goodwill), long-lived assets, and investments in debt and equity securities pursuant to GAAP, (b) all losses from investments recorded using the equity method, (c) all Non-Cash Compensation Expenses, (d) the non-cash impact of acquisition method accounting, (e) non-cash impact of translation of U.S. dollars and (f) other non-cash charges ( provided , in each case, that if any non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period).

Non-Cash Compensation Expense ” means any non-cash expenses and costs that result from the issuance of stock-based awards, partnership interest-based awards and similar incentive based compensation awards or arrangements.

Non-Consenting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(c).

Offered Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Offered Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

OID ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt”.

Organizational Documents ” means, with respect to any Person, the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person.

Original Credit Agreement ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Other Revolving Commitments ” means one or more Classes of revolving credit commitments hereunder or extended Revolving Commitments that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Revolving Loans ” means the Revolving Loans made pursuant to any Other Revolving Commitment.

Other Taxes ” means any and all present or future recording, stamp, documentary, excise, transfer, sales, property or similar Taxes arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document.

 

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Other Term Commitments ” means one or more Classes of term loan commitments hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Term Loans ” means one or more Classes of Term Loans that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Participant ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

Participating Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Pension Act ” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended from time to time.

Perfection Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D .

Permitted Encumbrances ” means:

(a) Liens for taxes or other governmental charges that are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

(b) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or construction contractors’ Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business that secure amounts not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or, if more than 30 days overdue, are unified and no other action has been taken to enforce such Lien or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP, in each case so long as such Liens do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business (i) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation and (ii) securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(d) Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, governmental contracts and leases, statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations) incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(e) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, protrusions and other similar encumbrances and minor title defects affecting real property that, in the aggregate, do not in any case materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(f) Liens securing, or otherwise arising from, judgments not constituting an Event of Default under Section 7.01(j);

(g) Liens on goods the purchase price of which is financed by a documentary letter of credit issued for the account of the Parent Borrower or any of its subsidiaries, provided that such Lien secures only the obligations of the Parent Borrower or such subsidiaries in respect of such letter of credit to the extent such obligations are permitted by Section 6.01; and

 

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(h) Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or any similar filings made in respect of operating leases entered into by the Parent Borrower or any of its subsidiaries;

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness other than Liens referred to in clause (c) above securing obligations under letters of credit or bank guarantees and in clause (g) above.

Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt ” means any secured Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower in the form of one or more series of senior secured notes; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to the control of remedies but on no more than a “second-out” basis so long as the Revolving Commitments are outstanding) with the Loan Document Obligations and is not secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Term Loans (including portions of Classes of Term Loans, Other Term Loans) or outstanding Revolving Loans, (iii) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate (including whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind), rate floors, fees, funding discounts and redemption premium) of Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are, taken as a whole, less favorable to the investors providing such Indebtedness than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (except for covenants or other provisions applicable to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred), (iv) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or payments of principal prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (v) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Security Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (vi) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties and (vii) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt incurred by the Parent Borrower, then the Parent Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Senior Representatives for such indebtedness shall have executed and delivered the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor; provided further that in the case of Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt incurred in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace or refinance, a portion of existing Term Loans hereunder (including any successive Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness), the interest rate margins, rate floors, fees, premiums, funding, discounts and amortization schedule for any such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt shall be determined by the Borrowers and the applicable lenders with respect to the holders of such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt and in the event that the yield on any such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt is higher than the yield for the Term Loans by more than 50 basis points, then the yield for the Term Loans shall be increased to the extent necessary so that such yield is equal to the yield for such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt minus 50 basis points; provided , further, that, in determining the yield applicable to such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt and the Term Loans (x) original issue discount (“ OID ”) or upfront fees (which shall be deemed to constitute like amounts of OID) payable by the Borrowers to the Term Lenders or any Additional Lenders in the initial primary syndication thereof shall be included (with OlD being equated to interest based on assumed four-year life to maturity), (y) customary arrangement or commitment fees payable to any of the Joint Bookrunners (or their respective affiliates) in connection with this Agreement or to one or more arrangers (or their affiliates) of any Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt shall be excluded and (z) if such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt includes an interest rate floor greater than the interest rate floor applicable to the Term Loans, such increased amount shall be equated to interest margin for purposes of determining whether an increase to the applicable interest margin for the Term Loans shall be required, to the extent an increase in the interest rate floor in the Term Loans would cause an increase in the interest rate then in effect, and in such case the interest rate floor (but not the interest rate margin) applicable to the Term Loans shall be increased by such increased amount.

Permitted Holder ” means (a) the Sponsor and (b) the Management Investors.

 

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Permitted Investments ” means any of the following, to the extent owned by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary:

(a) dollars, euro or such other currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business; (b) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of (i) the United States or (ii) any member nation of the European Union rated A (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P and A2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, having average maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States or such member nation of the European Union is pledged in support thereof;

(b) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) is a Lender or (ii) has combined capital and surplus of at least $250,000,000 (any such bank in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) being an “ Approved Bank ”), in each case with average maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof;

(c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by an Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable or fixed rate note issued by, or guaranteed by, a corporation rated A-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, in each case with average maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof;

(d) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with an Approved Bank, a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or recognized securities dealer, in each case, having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of (i) the United States or (ii) any member nation of the European Union rated A (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P and A2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations;

(e) marketable short-term money market and similar highly liquid funds either (i) having assets in excess of $250,000,000 or (ii) having a rating of at least A-2 or P-2 from either S&P or Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating service);

(f) securities with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory having an investment grade rating from either S&P or Moody’s (or the equivalent thereof);

(g) investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in mutual funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s;

(h) instruments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above denominated in euros or any other foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to above and customarily used by corporations for cash management purposes in any jurisdiction outside the United States to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction; and

(i) investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in money market investment programs that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or that are administered by financial institutions having capital of at least $250,000,000, and, in either case, the portfolios of which are limited such that substantially all of such investments are of the character, quality and maturity described in clauses (a) through (i) of this definition.

 

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Permitted Receivables Factoring ” means any one or more transactions or programs (including any factoring program) for the transfer by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on customary market terms for similar transactions, without recourse (other than customary limited recourse) to the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to any buyer, purchaser or lender of interests in accounts receivable and customary related assets, so long as the aggregate outstanding Permitted Receivables Net Investment with respect thereto does not exceed $60,000,000 at any time (which shall decrease to $50,000,000 on the first anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date if the Term Loans are still outstanding as of such date).

Permitted Receivables Net Investment ” the aggregate cash amount paid by the purchasers under any Permitted Receivables Factoring in connection with their purchase of accounts receivable and customary related assets or interests therein, as the same may be reduced from time to time by collections with respect to such accounts receivable and related assets or otherwise in accordance with the terms of such Permitted Receivables Factoring (but excluding any such collections used to make payments of commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges incurred in connection with any Permitted Receivables Factoring which are payable to any person other than the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary).

Permitted Refinancing ” means, with respect to any Person, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Indebtedness of such Person; provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) thereof does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon plus other amounts paid, and fees and expenses incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, (b) Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension has a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (c) immediately after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (d) if the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations, Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, and (d) if the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(ii), (a)(xx), (a)(xxi) or (a)(xxii), (i) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate (including whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind) and redemption premium) of Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are not, taken as a whole, materially less favorable to the Loan Parties or the Lenders than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended; provided that a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five Business Days prior to such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such resulting Indebtedness or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Parent Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement, shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies the Parent Borrower within such five Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonable description of the basis upon which it disagrees), and (ii) the primary obligor in respect of, and the Persons (if any) that Guarantee, Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are the primary obligor in respect of, and Persons (if any) that Guaranteed, respectively, the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that a Permitted Refinancing may constitute a portion of an issuance of Indebtedness in excess of the amount of such Permitted Refinancing; provided that such excess amount is otherwise permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01.

 

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Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt ” means secured Indebtedness incurred by the Parent Borrower in the form of one or more series of second lien secured notes or second lien secured loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a second lien, subordinated basis to the Secured Obligations and the obligations in respect of any Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt and is not secured by any property or assets of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the Collateral; (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Term Loans (including portions of Classes of Term Loans or Other Term Loans) or outstanding Revolving Loans, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or payments of principal prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Security Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (v) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate (including whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind), rate floors, fees, funding discounts and redemption premium) of Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are, taken as a whole, less favorable to the investors providing such Indebtedness than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (except for covenants of other provisions applicable to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred), (vi) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties and (vii) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt incurred by the Parent Borrower, then the Parent Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Senior Representatives for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt ” means unsecured Indebtedness incurred by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party in the form of one or more series of senior unsecured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Term Loans (including portions of Classes of Term Loans or Other Term Loans) or outstanding Revolving Loans, (ii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or payments of principal prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate (including whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind), rate floors, fees, funding discounts and redemption premium) of Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are, taken as a whole, less favorable to investors providing such Indebtedness than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (except for covenants of other provisions applicable to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred), (v) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than Loan Parties, and (vi) such Indebtedness is not secured by any Lien on any property or assets of Holdings, Intermediate Parent, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary. Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Parent Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Post-Transaction Period ” means, with respect to any Specified Transaction, the period beginning on the date such Specified Transaction is consummated and ending on the last day of the fourth full consecutive fiscal quarter immediately following the date on which such Specified Transaction is consummated.

 

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Prepayment Event ” means:

(a) any sale, transfer or other disposition (including (x) pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction, (y) by way of merger or consolidation and (z) any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of) of any property or asset of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted by Section 6.05(k) other than dispositions resulting in aggregate Net Proceeds not exceeding (A) $5,000,000 in the case of any single transaction or series of related transactions and (B) $10,000,000 for all such transactions during any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower;

(b) the incurrence by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 (other than Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt, Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt, Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt and Other Term Loans) or permitted by the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 9.02; or

(c) the issuance by any IPO Entity of its Equity Interests in an IPO.

Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent).

Principal Issuing Bank ” means, on any date, (a) the Issuing Bank, if there is only one Issuing Bank and (b) otherwise, (i) the Issuing Bank with the greatest LC Exposure on such date and (ii) each other Issuing Bank that has issued Letters of Credit that on such date have available for drawing thereunder (together with the aggregate unreimbursed LC Disbursement, thereunder on such date) of greater than $1,000,000.

Pro Forma Adjustment ” means, for any Test Period that includes all or any part of a fiscal quarter included in any Post-Transaction Period with respect to the Acquired EBITDA of the applicable Pro Forma Entity or the Consolidated EBITDA of the Parent Borrower, the pro forma increase or decrease in such Acquired EBITDA or such Consolidated EBITDA, as the case may be, projected by the Parent Borrower in good faith as a result of (a) actions taken, prior to or during such Post-Transaction Period, for the purposes of realizing reasonably identifiable and quantifiable cost savings, or (b) any additional costs incurred prior to or during such Post-Transaction Period in connection with the combination of the operations of such Pro Forma Entity with the operations of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that (A) so long as such actions are taken prior to or during such Post-Transaction Period or such costs are incurred prior to or during such Post-Transaction Period, it may be assumed, for purposes of projecting such pro forma increase or decrease to such Acquired EBITDA or such Consolidated EBITDA, as the case may be, that such cost savings will be realizable during the entirety of such Test Period, or such additional costs will be incurred during the entirety of such Test Period, (B) any such pro forma increase or decrease to such Acquired EBITDA or such Consolidated EBITDA, as the case may be, shall be without duplication for cost savings or additional costs already included in such Acquired EBITDA or such Consolidated EBITDA, as the case may be, for such test period and (C) the aggregate amount of costs savings increased pursuant to clause (a) shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA for any Test Period.

Pro Forma Basis ,” “ Pro Forma Compliance ” and “ Pro Forma Effect ” means, with respect to compliance with any test or covenant hereunder required by the terms of this Agreement to be made on a Pro Forma Basis, that (a) to the extent applicable, the Pro Forma Adjustment shall have been made and (b) all Specified Transactions and the following transactions in connection therewith shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the applicable period of measurement in such test or covenant: (i) income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property or Person subject to such Specified Transaction, (A) in the case of a Disposition of all or substantially all Equity Interests in any subsidiary of Holdings or any division, product line, or facility used for operations of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, shall be excluded, and (B) in the case of an Investment described in the definition of “Specified Transaction,” shall be included, (ii) any retirement of Indebtedness, and (iii) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection therewith and if such Indebtedness has a floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the rate that is or would be in effect with respect to such Indebtedness as at the relevant date of determination;

 

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provided that, without limiting the application of the Pro Forma Adjustment pursuant to clause (a) above, the foregoing pro forma adjustments may be applied to any such test or covenant solely to the extent that such adjustments are consistent with the definition of Consolidated EBITDA and give effect to operating expense reductions that are (i) (x) directly attributable to such transaction, (y) expected to have a continuing impact on Holdings, the Parent Borrower and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (z) factually supportable or (ii) otherwise consistent with the definition of Pro Forma Adjustment, provided , further , that (1) any determination of Pro Forma Compliance required at any time prior to November 26, 2011, shall be made assuming that compliance with Section 6.12 for the Test Period ending on November 26, 2011, is required with respect to the most recent Test Period prior to such time and (2) all pro forma adjustments made pursuant to this definition (including all Pro Forma Adjustments) with respect to the Transactions shall be consistent in character and amount with the adjustments reflected in the Pro Forma Financial Statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, clause (b) of Consolidated Total Net Debt shall not be decreased by the cash proceeds of any Indebtedness incurred for which Pro Forma Effect is being given.

Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment ” means, for any four-quarter period that includes all or a portion of a fiscal quarter included in any Post-Transaction Period with respect to any Sold Entity or Business, the pro forma increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA projected by the Parent Borrower in good faith as a result of contractual arrangements between the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary entered into with such Sold Entity or Business at the time of its disposal or within the Post Transaction Period and which represent an increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA which is incremental to the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business for the most recent four-quarter period prior to its disposal.

Pro Forma Financial Statements ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.04(c).

Proposed Change ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(c).

Qualified Equity Interests ” means Equity Interests of Holdings other than Disqualified Equity Interests.

Qualifying Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Quotation Day ” means, with respect to dollars or euro for any Interest Period, two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period unless market practice differs in the London interbank market for any such currency, in which case the Quotation Day for such currency shall be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with market practice in the London interbank market (and if quotations would normally be given by leading banks in the London interbank market on more than one day, the Quotation Day shall be the last of those days).

Refinanced Debt ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness.”

Refinancing Amendment ” means an amendment to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower executed by each of (a) the Borrowers and Holdings, (b) the Administrative Agent and (c) each Additional Lender and Lender that agrees to provide any portion of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness being incurred pursuant thereto, in accordance with Section 2.21.

Refinancing Transaction ” means the satisfaction and discharge of the Target’s floating rate notes due 2012.

Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Registered Equivalent Notes ” means, with respect to any notes originally issued in a Rule 144A or other private placement transaction under the Securities Act of 1933, substantially identical notes (having the same Guarantees) issued in a dollar-for-dollar exchange therefor pursuant to an exchange offer registered with the SEC.

 

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Related Parties ” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, trustees, agents, controlling persons, advisors and other representatives of such Person and of each of such Person’s Affiliates and permitted successors and assigns.

Release ” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) and including the environment within any building, or any occupied structure, facility or fixture.

Repricing Transaction ” means the prepayment or refinancing of all or a portion of the Term Loans with the incurrence by any Loan Party of any long-term bank debt financing incurred for the primary purpose of repaying, refinancing, substituting or replacing the Term Loans and having an effective interest cost or weighted average yield (as determined by the Administrative Agent consistent with generally accepted financial practice and, in any event, excluding any arrangement or commitment fees in connection therewith) that is less than the interest rate for or weighted average yield (as determined by the Administrative Agent on the same basis) of the Term Loans, including without limitation, as may be effected through any amendment to this Agreement relating to the interest rate for, or weighted average yield of, the Term Loans.

Required Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Exposures, Term Loans and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments) representing more than 66.66% of the aggregate Revolving Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments) at such time; provided that (a) the Revolving Exposures, Term Loans and unused Commitments of the Borrowers or any Affiliate thereof and (b) whenever there are one or more Defaulting Lenders, the total outstanding Term Loans and Revolving Exposures of, and the unused Revolving Commitments of, each Defaulting Lender shall in each case be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

Requirements of Law ” means, with respect to any Person, any statutes, laws, treaties, rules, regulations, orders, decrees, writs, injunctions or determinations of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Responsible Officer ” means the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer, or other similar officer, manager or a director of a Loan Party and with respect to certain limited liability companies or partnerships that do not have officers, any manager, sole member, managing member or general partner thereof, and as to any document delivered on the Effective Date or thereafter pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement,” any secretary or assistant secretary of a Loan Party. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

Restatement Effective Date ” means November 5, 2016.

Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any other Restricted Subsidiary or any Intermediate Parent, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests in Holdings, any Intermediate Parent the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

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Revolving Availability Period ” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments.

Revolving Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum possible aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to (i) assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or (ii) a Refinancing Amendment. The initial amount of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 , or in the Assignment and Assumption or Refinancing Amendment pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment, as the case may be. The initial amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Commitments as of the Effective Date is $50,000,000 (the “ Initial Revolving Commitments ”).

Revolving Exposure ” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure at such time.

Revolving Lender ” means a Lender with a Revolving Commitment or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Exposure.

Revolving Loan ” means a Revolving Loan made pursuant to clause (b) of Section 2.01 and Other Revolving Loans (including a New Revolving Loan constituting Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness thereof made pursuant to, and as defined in, the First Refinancing Amendment).

Revolving Maturity Date ” means the earlier of (i) the Term Maturity Date (after taking into account any extensions of such date) and (ii) August 26, 2019.

Rolled Equity ” means the Equity Interests in Holdings (or a holding company parent thereof) issued to the Management Investors pursuant to the Equity Financing; provided that, after giving effect to the Transactions on the Effective Date, the Rolled Equity will represent no more than 10% of the equity capitalization of Holdings (or such holding company parent) excluding any portion of the Equity Financing contributed to Storage Parent.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” means the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H among the Administrative Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt, with such modifications thereto as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree.

Secured Leverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Secured Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period as of such date.

Secured Net Leverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Secured Net Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period as of such date.

Secured Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Security Documents ” means the Collateral Agreement, the Foreign Collateral Agreements, the Foreign Pledge Agreements, the Mortgages and each other security agreement or pledge agreement executed and delivered pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, Section 5.11, 5.12 or Section 5.14 to secure any of the Secured Obligations.

 

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Senior Representative ” means, with respect to any series of Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt or Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under the indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained, as the case may be, and each of their successors in such capacities.

Silver Lake Debt Fund ” means Silver Lake Credit Fund, L.P. and any other successor or similar debt investment fund managed by Silver Lake Financial Management Company, L.L.C.

Solicited Discount Proration ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice ” means an irrevocable written notice of a Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) substantially in the form of Exhibit O .

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer ” means the irrevocable written offer by each Term Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit P , submitted following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice.

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D).

Specified Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Specified Discount Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Specified Discount Prepayment Notice ” means an irrevocable written notice of a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment made pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B) substantially in the form of Exhibit K .

Specified Discount Prepayment Response ” means the irrevocable written response by each Term Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit L , to a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice.

Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Specified Discount Proration ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B).

Specified Representations ” means the following: (a) the representations made by the Target in the Acquisition Agreement as are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that Holdings has the right to terminate its obligations under the Acquisition Agreement as a result of a breach of such representations in the Acquisition Agreement, and (b) the representations set forth in (i) Section 3.01, Section 3.02 (with respect to authorization, execution, delivery and performance and enforceability of the Loan Documents), Section 3.08, Section 3.15 and Section 3.16 and (ii) Section 3.02 of the Collateral Agreement.

Specified Transaction ” means, with respect to any period, any investment, sale, transfer or other disposition of assets, incurrence or repayment of indebtedness, restricted payment, subsidiary designation or other event that by the terms of the Loan Documents requires “Pro Forma Compliance” with a test or covenant hereunder or requires such test or covenant to be calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis.”

 

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Sponsor ” means Silver Lake Partners and its Affiliates.

SPV ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(e).

Statutory Reserve Rate ” means, with respect to any currency, a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve, liquid asset or similar percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by any Governmental Authority of the United States or of the jurisdiction of such currency or any jurisdiction in which Loans in such currency are made to which banks in such jurisdiction are subject for any category of deposits or liabilities customarily used to fund loans in such currency or by reference to which interest rates applicable to Loans in such currency are determined. Such reserve, liquid asset or similar percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to Regulation D of the Board of Governors, and if any Lender is required to comply with the requirements of The Bank of England and/or the Financial Services Authority (or any authority that replaces any of the functions thereof) or the requirements of the European Central Bank. Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to be subject to such reserve, liquid asset or similar requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under Regulation D or any other applicable law, rule or regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

Storage Business ” means the Target’s business unit that designs, manufactures and distributes high performance solid state drives.

Storage Investment ” means Investments in Storage Parent or any of its subsidiaries (including indirectly by means of a Restricted Payment to Target) by Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $30,000,000 at any time.

Storage Parent ” means SMART Modular Technologies (Global Storage Holdings), Inc.

Submitted Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Submitted Discount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C).

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means any Junior Financing other than any Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Indebtedness.

subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Parent Borrower.

Subsidiary Loan Party ” means each other Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower (other than the Co- Borrower) that is a party to the Guarantee Agreement.

Successor Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03(a)(iv).

Successor Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03(a)(v).

 

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Swap Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement or contract involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or the other Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

Swingline Commitment ” means the commitment of each Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans.

Swingline Exposure ” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time.

Swingline Lender ” means (a) Barclays Bank PLC, in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder and (b) each Revolving Lender that shall have become a Swingline Lender hereunder as provided in Section 2.04(d) (other than any Person that shall have ceased to be a Swingline Lender as provided in Section 2.04(e)), each in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

Swingline Loan ” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.04.

Swingline Sublimit ” means $10,000,000.

Target ” means SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as Smart Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company.

Target Material Adverse Effect ” means any change, effect, event or occurrence that (A) has a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition or results of operations of the Target and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or (B) prevents or materially delays the Target from performing its obligations under the Acquisition Agreement in any material respect; provided , however , that no change, effect, event or occurrence to the extent arising or resulting from any of the following, either alone or in combination, shall constitute or be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Target Material Adverse Effect: (i) (A) general economic, financial, political, capital market, credit market, or financial market conditions or (B) general conditions affecting any of the industries in which the Target and its subsidiaries operate; (ii) Changes in Law or changes in GAAP or accounting standards, in either case, occurring after April 26, 2011; (iii) any natural disasters, pandemics or acts of war (whether or not declared), sabotage or terrorism, or an escalation or worsening thereof; (iv) the entry into, announcement or performance of the Acquisition Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including compliance with the covenants set forth herein (other than Section 5.1(a) of the Acquisition Agreement), and the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, distributors, partners, employees or regulators, or any shareholder litigation arising from allegations of breach of fiduciary duty relating to the Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement, except that this clause (iv) shall not apply with respect to the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.4 of the Acquisition Agreement (v) any changes in the price or trading volume of the Common Stock (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement) ( provided that the underlying change, effect, event or occurrence that caused or contributed to such change in market price or trading volume shall not be excluded); (vi) any failure by the Target to meet projections or forecasts provided that the underlying change, effect, event or occurrence that caused or contributed to such failure to meet projections or forecasts shall not be excluded); and (vii) any change or prospective change in the Target’s credit rating ( provided that the underlying change, effect, event or occurrence that caused or contributed to such change or prospective change in the Target’s credit rating shall not be excluded); provided , further , however , that the change, effect, event or occurrence referred to in the preceding clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) shall be excluded pursuant to such clause only to the extent such change, effect, event or occurrence does not adversely affect the Target and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, disproportionately to other companies operating in the industries in which the Target and its subsidiaries compete (in which case the incremental disproportionate impact or impacts may be taken into account in determining whether there has been, or is reasonably likely to be, a Target Material Adverse Effect).

 

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Taxes ” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.

Term Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make a Term Loan hereunder on the Effective Date, expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal amount of the Term Loan to be made by such Lender hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. The initial amount of each Lender’s Term Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Term Commitment, as the case may be.

Term Lender ” means a Lender with a Term Commitment or an outstanding Term Loan.

Term Loan Standstill Period ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01(d).

Term Loans ” means Loans made pursuant to clause (a) of Section 2.01.

Term Maturity Date ” means August 26, 2019.

Test Period ” means, at any date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Parent Borrower then last ended.

Total Leverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period as of such date.

Transaction Costs ” means all fees, costs and expense incurred or payable by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions.

Transactions ” means (a) the Financing Transactions, (b) the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Documents, (c) the Refinancing Transactions and (d) the payment of the Transaction Costs.

Trust Agreement ” means any English law trust agreement to be entered into in connection with a Foreign Collateral Agreement, between, inter alia, the Administrative Agent and the relevant Loan Parties.

Type ” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

UCC ” or “ Uniform Commercial Code ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided , however , that, at any time, if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in any item or portion of the Pledged Collateral (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a U.S. jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect, at such time, in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions relating to such provisions.

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary (other than the Co-Borrower) designated by the Parent Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 5.16 subsequent to the Effective Date.

 

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USA Patriot Act ” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended from time to time.

Warrants ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.24(a).

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

wholly-owned subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person at any date, a subsidiary of such Person of which securities or other ownership interests representing 100% of the Equity Interests (other than (a) directors’ qualifying shares and (b) nominal shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Requirements of Law) are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held by such Person or one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of such Person.

Withdrawal Liability ” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings . For purposes of this Agreement, Loans and Borrowings may be classified and referred to by Class ( e.g ., a “ Revolving Loan ”) or by Type ( e.g ., a “ Eurocurrency Loan ”) or by Class and Type ( e.g. , a “ Eurocurrency Revolving Loan ”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class ( e,g. , a “ Revolving Borrowing ”) or by Type ( e.g., a “ Eurocurrency Borrowing ”) or by Class and Type ( e.g. , a “ Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing ”).

SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement (including this Agreement and the other Loan Documents), instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignment set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (c) the words “herein,” “hereof’ and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time.

 

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SECTION 1.05. Effectuation of Transactions . All references herein to Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be references to such Persons, and all the representations and warranties of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the other Loan Parties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be deemed made, in each case, after giving effect to the Acquisition and the other Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, unless the context otherwise requires.

SECTION 1.06. Currency Translation . Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of any determination under Article V, Article VI (other than Section 6.12) or Article VII or any determination under any other provision of this Agreement expressly requiring the use of a current exchange rate, all amounts incurred, outstanding or proposed to be incurred or outstanding in currencies other than dollars shall be translated into dollars at currency exchange rates in effect on the date of such determination; provided , however , that for purposes of determining compliance with Article VI with respect to the amount of any Indebtedness, Investment, Disposition or Restricted Payment in a currency other than dollars, no Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred solely as a result of changes in rates of exchange occurring after the time such Indebtedness or Investment is incurred or Disposition or Restricted Payment made; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.06 shall otherwise apply to such Sections, including with respect to determining whether any Indebtedness or Investment may be incurred or Disposition or Restricted Payment made at any time under such Sections. For purposes of Section 6.12 and Section 4.02, amounts in currencies other than dollars shall be translated into dollars at the currency exchange rates used in preparing the most recently delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b).

SECTION 1.07. Effect of this Agreement on the Original Credit Agreement and the Other Existing Loan Documents . This Agreement shall be binding on the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders and the other parties hereto and the Original Credit Agreement and the provisions thereof shall be replaced in their entirety by this Agreement and the provisions hereof; provided that for the avoidance of doubt (a) the Obligations (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement) of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under the Original Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents that remain unpaid and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement shall continue to exist under and be evidenced by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) all Letters of Credit under and as defined in the Original Credit Agreement shall continue as Letters of Credit under this Agreement and (c) the Collateral and the Loan Documents shall continue to secure, guarantee, support and otherwise benefit the Obligations on the same terms as prior to the effectiveness hereof. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, each Loan Document (other than the Original Credit Agreement) that was in effect immediately prior to the date of this Agreement shall continue to be effective on its terms unless otherwise expressly stated herein. Except as provided herein or as restated in connection herewith, each of the Schedules and Exhibits to the Original Credit Agreement shall remain in effect and shall be Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

THE CREDITS

SECTION 2.01. Commitments . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (a) each Term Lender made a Term Loan to the Borrowers on the Effective Date (or increased the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans outstanding on the Restatement Effective Date in connection with the additional payment to the Term Lenders of $5,000,000 on the Restatement Effective Date pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2(b) of the Fourth Amendment) denominated in dollars in a principal amount not exceeding its Term Commitment and (b) each Revolving Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrowers denominated in dollars from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount which will not result in such Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided that no Revolving Loans shall be made on the Effective Date unless, after giving effect to the Transactions on the Effective Date, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries would have at least $75,000,000 of (x) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on hand and (y) unused Revolving Commitments (consistent with the calculation of such under Section 2.12(a)). Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans. Amounts repaid or prepaid in respect of Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

 

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SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings .

(a) Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder, provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and other than as expressly provided herein with respect to a Defaulting Lender, no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required hereby.

(b) Subject to Section 2.14, each Revolving Borrowing and Term Loan Borrowing denominated in dollars shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as a Borrower may request in accordance herewith; provided that all Borrowings made on the Effective Date must be made as ABR Borrowings unless such Borrower shall have given the notice required for a Eurocurrency Borrowing under Section 2.03 and provided an indemnity letter extending the benefits of Section 2.16 to Lenders in respect of such Borrowings. Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of such Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum; provided that a Eurocurrency Borrowing that results from a continuation of an outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to such outstanding Borrowing. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of 12 Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding.

SECTION 2.03. Requests for Borrowings . To request a Revolving Borrowing or Term Loan Borrowing, the applicable Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request in writing (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing (or, in the case of any Eurocurrency Borrowing to be made on the Effective Date, such shorter period of time as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11.00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(f) may be given not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such written Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be by hand delivery or facsimile or other electronic transmission to the Administrative Agent signed by the applicable Borrower. Each such written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information:

(i) whether the requested Borrowing is to be a Revolving Borrowing, a Term Loan Borrowing or a Borrowing of any other Class (specifying the Class thereof);

(ii) the aggregate amount of such Borrowing;

(iii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iv) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing (solely in the case of a Borrowing denominated in dollars) or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

(v) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”;

 

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(vi) the location and number of the such Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.06, or, in the case of any ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan requested to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(1), the identity of the Issuing Bank that made such LC Disbursement; and

(vii) that as of the date of such Borrowing, the conditions set forth in Sections 4.02(a) and 4.02(b) are satisfied.

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified as to any Borrowing, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing, then such Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the applicable Class of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

SECTION 2.04. Swingline Loans .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein (including Section 2.22), in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrowers from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period denominated in dollars in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) subject to Section 9.04(b)(ii), the Applicable Fronting Exposure of any Swingline Lender exceeding its Revolving Commitment, (ii) the aggregate Revolving Exposures exceeding the aggregate Revolving Commitments or (iii) the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans outstanding exceeding Swingline Sublimit; provided that the Swingline Lender shall be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.

(b) To request a Swingline Loan, the Parent Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender of such request (i) by telephone (confirmed in writing) or by facsimile (confirmed by telephone), not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, or, if agreed by the Swingline Lender, 2:00 p.m. New York City time on the day of such proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day), the amount of the requested Swingline Loan and (x) if the funds are not to be credited to a general deposit account of such Borrower maintained with the Swingline Lender because such Borrower is unable to maintain a general deposit account with the Swingline Lender under applicable Requirements of Law, the location and number of such Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with Section 2.06, or (y) in the case of any ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan requested to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f), the identity of the Issuing Bank that made such LC Disbursement. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to such Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit accounts of such Borrower maintained with the Swingline Lender for the Swingline Loan (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f), by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.

(c) The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Revolving Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Revolving Lender, specifying in such notice the Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Swingline Loans. Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Swingline Loans. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or any reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and

 

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that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders pursuant to this paragraph), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrowers (or other Person on behalf of the Borrowers) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted by the Swingline Lender to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, and thereafter to the Borrowers, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrowers for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrowers of any default in the payment thereof.

(d) The Parent Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, designate as additional Swingline Lenders one or more Revolving Lenders that agree to serve in such capacity as provided below. The acceptance by a Revolving Lender of an appointment as a Swingline Lender hereunder shall be evidenced by an agreement, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, executed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and such designated Swingline Lender, and, from and after the effective date of such agreement, (i) such Revolving Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement and (ii) references herein to the term “Swingline Lender” shall be deemed to include such Revolving Lender in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

(e) The Parent Borrower may terminate the appointment of any Swingline Lender as a “Swingline Lender” hereunder by providing a written notice thereof to such Swingline Lender, with a copy to the Administrative Agent. Any such termination shall become effective upon the earlier of (i) such Swingline Lender’s acknowledging receipt of such notice and (ii) the fifth Business Day following the date of the delivery thereof; provided that no such termination shall become effective until and unless the Swingline Exposure of such Swingline Lender shall have been reduced to zero. Notwithstanding the effectiveness of any such termination, the terminated Swingline Lender shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans made by it prior to such termination, but shall not make any additional Swingline Loans.

SECTION 2.05. Letters of Credit and Bank Guarantees .

(a) General . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein (including Section 2.22), each Issuing Bank agrees, in reliance upon agreement of the Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.05, to issue Letters of Credit denominated in dollars for its own account (or for the account of any other Subsidiary so long as a Borrower and such other Subsidiary are co-applicants in respect of such Letter of Credit), in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank, which shall reflect the standard operating procedures of such Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period and prior to the fifth Business Day prior to the Revolving Maturity Date. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit or bank guarantee application or other agreement submitted by the Parent Borrower to, or entered into by the Parent Borrower with, the applicable Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

(b) Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions . To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), a Borrower shall deliver in writing by hand delivery or facsimile (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the recipient) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (at least five

 

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Business Days before the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension or such shorter period as the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent may agree) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (d) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, such Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, (i) subject to Section 9.04(b)(ii), the Applicable Fronting Exposure of each Issuing Bank shall not exceed its Revolving Commitment, (ii) the aggregate Revolving Exposures shall not exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (iii) the aggregate LC Exposure shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. No Issuing Bank shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if (i) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall enjoin or restrain such Issuing Bank from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to such Issuing Bank any directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Bank shall prohibit the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such Issuing Bank with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon such Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which such Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it, (ii) except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the such Issuing Bank, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $100,000, in the case of a commercial Letter of Credit, or $500,000, in the case of a standby Letter of Credit or (iii) any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, if after giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv), any Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure remains outstanding, unless such Issuing Bank has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of cash collateral, reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank with such Borrower or such Lender to eliminate such Issuing Bank’s Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or such Letter of Credit and all other LC Exposure as to which such Issuing Bank has Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure.

(c) Notice . Each Issuing Bank agrees that it shall not permit any issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit to occur unless it shall have given to the Administrative Agent written notice thereof required under paragraph (m) of this Section.

(d) Expiration Date . Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date that is one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date; provided that if such expiry date is not a Business Day, such Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to close of business on the next succeeding Business Day; provided , however , that any Letter of Credit may, upon the request of a Borrower, include a provision whereby such Letter of Credit shall be renewed automatically for additional consecutive periods of one year or less (but not beyond the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date) unless the applicable Issuing Bank notifies the beneficiary thereof within the time period specified in such Letter of Credit or, if no such time period is specified, at least 30 days prior to the then-applicable expiration date, that such Letter of Credit will not be renewed.

(e) Participation . By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank that is the issuer thereof or the Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Issuing Bank, such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrowers on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section in the currency of such LC Disbursement, or of any reimbursement payment required

 

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to be refunded to the Borrowers for any reason. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or any reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(f) Reimbursement . If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrowers receive notice of such LC Disbursement; provided that, if such LC Disbursement is not less than $1,000,000, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.04 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or a Swingline Loan, in each case in an equivalent amount, and, to the extent so financed, the Borrowers’ obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If the Borrowers fail to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrowers in respect thereof and such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrowers, in dollars and in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders pursuant to this paragraph), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrowers pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Revolving Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse any Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

(g) Obligations Absolute . The Borrowers’, jointly and severally, obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section is absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by an Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrowers’ obligations hereunder. None of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or any of their Affiliates shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Banks; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrowers to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrowers that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of any Issuing Bank (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, nonappealable judgment), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to

 

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documents presented that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, an Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit, and any such acceptance or refusal shall be deemed not to constitute gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

(h) Disbursement Procedures . Each Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. Each Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower in writing by hand delivery or facsimile or other electronic transmission of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement in accordance with paragraph (f) of this Section.

(i) Interim Interest . If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrowers reimburse such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to in the case of an LC Disbursement denominated in dollars, ABR Revolving Loans; provided that, if the Borrowers fail to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment and shall be payable on demand or, if no demand has been made, on the date on which the Borrowers reimburse the applicable LC Disbursement in full.

(j) Cash Collateralization . If any Event of Default under paragraph (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Section 7.01 shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day on which the Parent Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing more than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure of all Revolving Lenders) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrowers shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders, an amount of cash in dollars equal to the portions of the LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit, as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrowers described in paragraph (h) or (i) of Section 7.01. The Borrowers also shall deposit cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph as and to the extent required by Section 2.11(b). Each such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, if any Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure remains outstanding (after giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv)), then promptly upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, the Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent cash collateral in an amount sufficient to cover such Defaulting Lender Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to any cash collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent in Permitted Investments and at the Borrowers risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Banks for LC Disbursements for which they have not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrowers for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing more than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure of all the Revolving Lenders), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents. If the

 

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Borrowers are required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default or the existence of a Defaulting Lender, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrowers within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived or after the termination of Defaulting Lender status, as applicable. If the Borrowers are required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.11(b), such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower as and to the extent that, after giving effect to such return, the Borrowers would remain in compliance with Section 2.11(b) and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(k) Designation of Additional Issuing Banks . The Parent Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, designate as additional Issuing Banks one or more Revolving Lenders that agree to serve in such capacity as provided below. The acceptance by a Revolving Lender of an appointment as an Issuing Bank hereunder shall be evidenced by an agreement, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, executed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and such designated Revolving Lender and, from and after the effective date of such agreement, (i) such Revolving Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to include such Revolving Lender in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.

(l) Termination of an Issuing Bank . The Parent Borrower may terminate the appointment of any Issuing Bank as an “Issuing Bank” hereunder by providing a written notice thereof to such Issuing Bank, with a copy to the Administrative Agent. Any such termination shall become effective upon the earlier of (i) such Issuing Bank’s acknowledging receipt of such notice and (ii) the fifth Business Day following the date of the delivery thereof; provided that no such termination shall become effective until and unless the LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (or its Affiliates) shall have been reduced to zero. At the time any such termination shall become effective, the Parent Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the terminated Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). Notwithstanding the effectiveness of any such termination, the terminated Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such termination, but shall not issue any additional Letters of Credit.

(m) Issuing Bank Reports to the Administrative Agent . Unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank shall, in addition to its notification obligations set forth elsewhere in this Section, report in writing to the Administrative Agent (i) periodic activity (for such period or recurrent periods as shall be requested by the Administrative Agent) in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, including all issuances, extensions, amendments and renewals, all expirations and cancellations and all disbursements and reimbursements, (ii) within five Business Days following the time that such Issuing Bank issues, amends, renews or extends any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, and the currency and face amount of the Letters of Credit issued, amended, renewed or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (and whether the amounts thereof shall have changed), (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any LC Disbursement, the date, currency and amount of such LC Disbursement, (iv) on any Business Day on which a Borrower fails to reimburse an LC Disbursement required to be reimbursed to such Issuing Bank on such day, the date of such failure and amount of such LC Disbursement and (v) on any other Business Day, such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request as to the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank.

(n) Existing LCs . The Existing LCs will be deemed to be Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement on the Effective Date.

SECTION 2.06. Funding of Borrowings .

(a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds in the applicable currency by 12:00 noon, New York City time, to the Applicable Account of the Administrative Agent most-recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.04. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrowers by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like

 

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funds, to an account of the Borrowers maintained with the Administrative Agent in New York City and designated by the Borrowers in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to Section 2.05(f) to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance on such assumption and in its sole discretion, make available to a Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such share on demand of the Administrative Agent. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon demand of the Administrative Agent therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Borrower, and the applicable Borrower agrees to pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand. The Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover from such Lender or applicable Borrower interest on such corresponding amount, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the applicable Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, if such Borrowing is denominated in dollars, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, the rate reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be its cost of funding such amount, or (ii) in the case of such Borrower, the interest rate applicable to such Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.13. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

(c) Obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Term Loans and Revolving Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 9.03(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 9.03(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 9.03(c).

SECTION 2.07. Interest Elections .

(a) Each Revolving Borrowing and Term Loan Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request or designated by Section 2.03 and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request or designated by Section 2.03. Thereafter, each Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. Each Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply to Swingline Loans, which may not be converted or continued.

(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the applicable Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election in writing by the time that a Revolving Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if such Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such written Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be by hand delivery, facsimile or other electronic transmission to the Administrative Agent signed by the applicable Borrower.

(c) Each written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.03:

 

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(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing (solely in the case of a Borrowing denominated in dollars) or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is to be a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the applicable Class of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e) If such Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies such Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing.

SECTION 2.08. Termination and Reduction of Commitments .

(a) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Maturity Date. The Term Commitments terminated upon the making of the Term Loans on the Effective Date.

(b) Each Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments of any Class; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000 and (ii) each Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, the aggregate Revolving Exposures would exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments.

(c) Each Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least one Business Day prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by such Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments delivered by such Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the receipt of the proceeds from the issuance of other Indebtedness or the occurrence of some other identifiable event or condition, in which case such notice may be revoked by such Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date of termination) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.

 

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SECTION 2.09. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

(a) Each Borrower, jointly and severally, hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan of such Lender on the Revolving Maturity Date, (ii) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Term Loan of such Lender as provided in Section 2.10 and (iii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan made by the Swingline Lender on the earlier to occur of (A) the date that is 10 Business Days after such Loan is made and (B) the Revolving Maturity Date; provided that on each date that a Revolving Borrowing in any currency is made, such Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans in such currency that were outstanding on the date such Borrowing was requested.

(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrowers to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the currency and amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein, provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrowers to pay any amounts due hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the entries made pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section, the accounts maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall control.

(e) Any Lender may request through the Administrative Agent that Loans of any Class made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrowers shall execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form provided by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Borrowers.

SECTION 2.10. Amortization of Term Loans .

(a) Subject to adjustment pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, the Borrowers shall repay Term Loan Borrowings on the last Friday of each February, May, August and November in an amount equal to $3,875,000, together in each case with accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be paid to but excluding the date of such payment; provided that if any such date is not a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next preceding Business Day.

(b) To the extent not previously paid, all Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Term Maturity Date.

(c) Any prepayment of a Term Loan Borrowing of any Class made after the Restatement Effective Date (i) pursuant to Section 2.1l(a)(i) shall be applied to reduce the subsequent scheduled and outstanding repayments of the Term Loan Borrowings of such Class to be made pursuant to this Section as directed by the Borrowers (and absent such direction in direct order of maturity) and (ii) pursuant to Section 2.11(c), 2.11(d) or 2.11 (h) shall be applied to reduce the subsequent scheduled and outstanding repayments of the Term Loan Borrowings of such Class to be made pursuant to this Section, or, except as otherwise provided in any Refinancing Amendment, pursuant to the corresponding section of such Refinancing Amendment, in reverse order of maturity.

 

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(d) Prior to any repayment of any Term Loan Borrowings of any Class hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings of the applicable Class to be repaid and shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing by hand delivery or facsimile or other electronic transmission of such election not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, two Business Day before the scheduled date of such repayment. In the absence of a designation by the Borrowers as described in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall make such designation in its reasonable discretion with a view, but no obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing under Section 2.16. Each repayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the repaid Borrowing. Repayments of Term Loan Borrowings shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount repaid.

SECTION 2.11. Prepayment of Loans .

(a) (i) The Borrowers shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to the requirements of this Section; provided that in the event that (A) on or prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, the Borrowers (x) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with a Change in Control or prepay Term Loans with the proceeds of Indebtedness, (y) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with any Repricing Transaction, or (z) effect any amendment of this Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the applicable Term Lender, (I) in the case of clause (A)(x), a prepayment premium of 3% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid, (II) in the case of clause (A)(y), a prepayment premium of 3% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid and (III) in the case of clause (A)(z), a payment equal to 3% of the aggregate amount of the applicable Term Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment; (B) at anytime after the first anniversary of the Effective Date and on or prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date, the Borrowers (x) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with a Change in Control or prepay Term Loans with the proceeds of Indebtedness, (y) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with any Repricing Transaction, or (z) effect any amendment of this Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the applicable Term Lender, (I) in the case of clause (B)(x), a prepayment premium of 2% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid, (II) in the case of clause (B)(y), a prepayment premium of 2% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid and (III) in the case of clause (B)(z), a payment equal to 2% of the aggregate amount of the applicable Term Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment; or (C) at anytime after the second anniversary of the Effective Date and on or prior to the third anniversary of the Effective Date, the Borrowers (x) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with a Change in Control or prepay Term Loans with the proceeds of Indebtedness, (y) make any prepayment of Term Loans in connection with any Repricing Transaction, or (z) effect any amendment of this Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the applicable Term Lender, (I) in the case of clause (C)(x), a prepayment premium of 1% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid, (II) in the case of clause (C)(y), a prepayment premium of 1% of the amount of the Term Loans being prepaid and (III) in the case of clause (C)(z), a payment equal to 1% of the aggregate amount of the applicable Term Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment;

(ii) Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a Borrower may prepay the outstanding Term Loans on the following basis:

(A) Each Borrower shall have the right to make a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a discount to par (such prepayment, the “ Discounted Term Loan Prepayment ”) pursuant to a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment, Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers or Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, in each case made in accordance with this Section 2.11(a)(ii); provided that (x) the Borrowers shall not make any Borrowing of Revolving Loans to fund any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and (y) the Borrowers shall not initiate any action under this Section 2.11 (a)(ii) in order to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment unless (I) at least ten (10) Business Days shall have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Term Loan Prepayment as a result of a prepayment made by the Borrowers on the applicable Discounted Prepayment Effective Date; or (II) at least three (3) Business Days shall have passed since the date the Parent Borrower was notified that no Term Lender was willing to accept any prepayment of any Term Loan and/or Other Term Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, the date of the Borrower’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

 

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(B) (1) Subject to the proviso to subsection (A) above, a Borrower may from time to time offer to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment by providing the Auction Agent with three (3) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such offer shall be made available, at the sole discretion of the Borrower, to each Term Lender and/or each Lender with respect to any Class of Term Loans on an individual tranche basis, (II) any such offer shall specify the aggregate principal amount offered to be prepaid (the “ Specified Discount Prepayment Amount ”) with respect to each applicable tranche, the tranche or tranches of Term Loans subject to such offer and the specific percentage discount to par (the “ Specified Discount ”) of such Term Loans to be prepaid (it being understood that different Specified Discounts and/or Specified Discount Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Term Loans and, in such an event, each such offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $1,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such offer shall remain outstanding through the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each relevant Term Lender with a copy of such Specified Discount Prepayment Notice and a form of the Specified Discount Prepayment Response to be completed and returned by each such Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Term Lenders (the “ Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date ”).

(2) Each relevant Term Lender receiving such offer shall notify the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date whether or not it agrees to accept a prepayment of any of its relevant then outstanding Term Loans at the Specified Discount and, if so (such accepting Term Lender, a “ Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender ”), the amount and the tranches of such Lender’s Term Loans to be prepaid at such offered discount. Each acceptance of a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment by a Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender shall be irrevocable. Any Term Lender whose Specified Discount Prepayment Response is not received by the Auction Agent by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept the applicable Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment.

(3) If there is at least one Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender, the Borrower will make prepayment of outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this paragraph (B) to each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender in accordance with the respective outstanding amount and tranches of Term Loans specified in such Lender’s Specified Discount Prepayment Response given pursuant to subsection (2); provided that, if the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans accepted for prepayment by all Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders exceeds the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount, such prepayment shall be made pro-rata among the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts accepted to be prepaid by each such Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Specified Discount Proration ”). The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within three (3) Business Days following the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date, notify (I) the Parent Borrower of the respective Term Lenders’ responses to such offer, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Term Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, and the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of Term Loans to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date and (III) each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender of the Specified Discount Proration, if any, and confirmation of the principal amount, tranche and Type of Loans of such Lender to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Parent Borrower shall be due and payable by the Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (F) below (subject to subsection (J) below).

 

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(C) (1) Subject to the proviso to subsection (A) above, a Borrower may from time to time solicit Discount Range Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with three (3) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of the Borrower, to each Term Lender and/or each Lender with respect to any Class of Loans on an individual tranche basis, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate principal amount of the relevant Term Loans (the “ Discount Range Prepayment Amount ”), the tranche or tranches of Term Loans subject to such offer and the maximum and minimum percentage discounts to par (the “ Discount Range ”) of the principal amount of such Term Loans with respect to each relevant tranche of Term Loans willing to be prepaid by a Borrower (it being understood that different Discount Ranges and/or Discount Range Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Term Loans and, in such an event, each such offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $1,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each relevant Term Lender with a copy of such Discount Range Prepayment Notice and a form of the Discount Range Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding relevant Term Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Term Lenders (the “ Discount Range Prepayment Response Date ”). Each relevant Term Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer shall be irrevocable and shall specify a discount to par within the Discount Range (the “ Submitted Discount ”) at which such Term Lender is willing to allow prepayment of any or all of its then outstanding Term Loans of the applicable tranche or tranches and the maximum aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender’s Term Loans (the “ Submitted Amount ”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Submitted Discount. Any Term Lender whose Discount Range Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment of any of its Term Loans at any discount to their par value within the Discount Range.

(2) The Auction Agent shall review all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received on or before the applicable Discount Range Prepayment Response Date and shall determine (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the Applicable Discount and Term Loans to be prepaid at such Applicable Discount in accordance with this subsection (C). The Borrowers agree to accept on the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, in the order from the Submitted Discount that is the largest discount to par to the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par, up to and including the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range (such Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range being referred to as the “ Applicable Discount ”) which yields a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment in an aggregate principal amount equal to the lower of (I) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount and (II) the sum of all Submitted Amounts. Each Lender that has submitted a Discount Range Prepayment Offer to accept prepayment at a discount to par that is larger than or equal to the Applicable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Term Loans equal to its Submitted Amount (subject to any required proration pursuant to the following subsection (3)) at the Applicable Discount (each such Lender, a “ Participating Lender ”).

(3) If there is at least one Participating Lender, the Borrower will prepay the respective outstanding Term Loans of each Participating Lender in the aggregate principal amount and of the tranches specified in such Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer at the Applicable Discount; provided that if the Submitted Amount by all Participating Lenders offered at a discount to par greater than the Applicable Discount exceeds the Discounted Range Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the relevant Term Loans for those Participating Lenders whose Submitted Discount is a discount to par greater than or equal to the Applicable Discount (the “ Identified Participating Lenders ”) shall be made pro-rata among the Identified Participating Lenders in accordance with the Submitted Amount of each such Identified Participating Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such

 

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proration (the “ Discount Range Proration ”). The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within five (5) Business Days following the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, notify (I) the Borrower of the respective Term Lenders’ responses to such solicitation, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Term Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount and tranches of Term Loans to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (III) each Participating Lender of the aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, and (z) if applicable, each Identified Participating Lender of the Discount Range Proration. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the applicable Borrower shall be due and payable by such Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (F) below (subject to subsection (J) below).

(D) (1) Subject to the proviso to subsection (A) above, the Borrowers may from time to time solicit Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with three (3) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of the Borrower, to each Term Lender and/or each Lender with respect to any Class of Term Loans on an individual tranche basis, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate dollar amount of the Term Loans (the “ Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount ”) and the tranche or tranches of Term Loans the applicable Borrower is willing to prepay at a discount (it being understood that different Solicited Discount Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Term Loans and, in such an event, each such offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $1,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such solicitation by such Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each relevant Term Lender with a copy of such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice and a form of the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding Term Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Term Lenders (the “ Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date ”). Each Term Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer shall (x) be irrevocable, (y) remain outstanding until the Acceptance Date, and (z) specify both a discount to par (the “ Offered Discount ”) at which such Term Lender is willing to allow prepayment of its then outstanding Term Loan and the maximum aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Term Loans (the “ Offered Amount ”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Offered Discount. Any Term Lender whose Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined prepayment of any of its Term Loans at any discount.

(2) The Auction Agent shall promptly provide the Parent Borrower with a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received on or before the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date. The Parent Borrower shall review all such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers and select the largest of the Offered Discounts specified by the relevant responding Term Lenders in the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers that is acceptable to the Borrower (the “ Acceptable Discount ”), if any. If the Parent Borrower elects to accept any Offered Discount as the Acceptable Discount, then as soon as practicable after the determination of the Acceptable Discount, but in no event later than by the third Business Day after the date of receipt by the Parent Borrower from the Auction Agent of a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers pursuant to the first sentence of this subsection (2) (the “ Acceptance Date ”), the Parent Borrower shall submit an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice to the Auction Agent setting forth the Acceptable Discount. If the Auction Agent shall fail to receive an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice from the Parent Borrower by the Acceptance Date, the Parent Borrower shall be deemed to have rejected all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

 

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(3) Based upon the Acceptable Discount and the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, within three (3) Business Days after receipt of an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice (the “ Discounted Prepayment Determination Date ”), the Auction Agent will determine (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of Term Loans (the “ Acceptable Prepayment Amount ”) to be prepaid by the Borrower at the Acceptable Discount in accordance with this Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D). If the Borrower elects to accept any Acceptable Discount, then the Borrower agrees to accept all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, in the order from largest Offered Discount to smallest Offered Discount, up to and including the Acceptable Discount. Each Lender that has submitted a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer with an Offered Discount that is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Term Loans equal to its Offered Amount (subject to any required pro-rata reduction pursuant to the following sentence) at the Acceptable Discount (each such Lender, a “ Qualifying Lender ”). The Borrower will prepay outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this subsection (D) to each Qualifying Lender in the aggregate principal amount and of the tranches specified in such Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer at the Acceptable Discount; provided that if the aggregate Offered Amount by all Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount exceeds the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the Term Loans for those Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount (the “ Identified Qualifying Lenders ”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Qualifying Lenders in accordance with the Offered Amount of each such Identified Qualifying Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with the Parent Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Solicited Discount Proration ”). On or prior to the Discounted Prepayment Determination Date, the Auction Agent shall promptly notify (I) the Parent Borrower of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and Acceptable Prepayment Amount comprising the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Term Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Acceptable Discount, and the Acceptable Prepayment Amount of all Term Loans and the tranches to be prepaid to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (III) each Qualifying Lender of the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Acceptable Discount on such date, and (IV) if applicable, each Identified Qualifying Lender of the Solicited Discount Proration. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to such Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to such Borrower shall be due and payable by such Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (F) below (subject to subsection (J) below).

(E) In connection with any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment, the Borrower and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Auction Agent may require as a condition to any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment, the payment of customary fees and expenses from the Borrower in connection therewith.

(F) If any Term Loan is prepaid in accordance with paragraphs (B) through (D) above, such Borrower shall prepay such Term Loans on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date. Such Borrower shall make such prepayment to the Auction Agent, for the account of the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in immediately available funds not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and all such prepayments shall be applied to the remaining principal installments of the relevant tranche of Term Loans on a pro rata basis across such installments. The Term Loans so prepaid shall be accompanied by all accrued and unpaid interest on the par principal amount so prepaid up to, but not including, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date. Each prepayment of the outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.11(a)(ii) shall be paid to the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable. The aggregate principal amount of the tranches and installments of the relevant Term Loans outstanding shall be deemed reduced by the full par value of the aggregate principal amount of the tranches of Term Loans prepaid on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment.

 

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(G) To the extent not expressly provided for herein, each Discounted Term Loan Prepayment shall be consummated pursuant to procedures consistent, with the provisions in this Section 2.11 (a)(ii), established by the Auction Agent acting in its reasonable discretion and as reasonably agreed by such Borrower.

(H) Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, for purposes of this Section 2.11(a)(ii), each notice or other communication required to be delivered or otherwise provided to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) shall be deemed to have been given upon Auction Agent’s (or its delegate’s) actual receipt during normal business hours of such notice or communication; provided that any notice or communication actually received outside of normal business hours shall be deemed to have been given as of the opening of business on the next Business Day.

(I) Each of the Borrowers and the Lenders acknowledges and agrees that the Auction Agent may perform any and all of its duties under this Section 2.11(a)(ii) by itself or through any Affiliate of the Auction Agent and expressly consents to any such delegation of duties by the Auction Agent to such Affiliate and the performance of such delegated duties by such Affiliate. The exculpatory provisions pursuant to this Agreement shall apply to each Affiliate of the Auction Agent and its respective activities in connection with any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment provided for in this Section 2.11(a)(ii) as well as activities of the Auction Agent.

(J) Each Borrower shall have the right, by written notice to the Auction Agent, to revoke in full (but not in part) its offer to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and rescind the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Notice, Discount Range Prepayment Notice or Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice therefor at its discretion at any time on or prior to the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date (and if such offer is revoked pursuant to the preceding clauses, any failure by such Borrower to make any prepayment to a Term Lender, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 2.11(a)(ii) shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 7.01 or otherwise).

(b) In the event and on each occasion that the aggregate Revolving Exposures exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Borrowers shall prepay Revolving Borrowings or Swingline Loans (or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding, deposit cash collateral in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.05(j)) in an aggregate amount necessary to eliminate such excess.

(c) In the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds are received by or on behalf of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Prepayment Event, the Parent Borrower shall, within three Business Days after such Net Proceeds are received (or, in the case of a Prepayment Event described in clause (b) or (c) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event”, on the date of such Prepayment Event), prepay Term Loan Borrowings in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the amount of such Net Proceeds; provided that, in the case of any event described in clause (a) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event” with respect to the Logistics Business, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may retain up to an aggregate of $40,000,000 of the Net Proceeds from such event (or a portion thereof) solely to the extent necessary to satisfy the Liquidity Prepayment Condition for a 60 day period following the receipt of such Net Proceeds as demonstrated by a written week by week forecast for such period provided to the Administrative Agent on or before receipt of such Net Proceeds; provided further that within 30 days after the end of such 60 day period, Parent Borrower will be required to prepay Term Loans with the aggregate amount of such Net Proceeds initially retained that is not necessary to allow the Parent Borrower to satisfy the Liquidity Prepayment Condition at the end of such 30 day period.

(d) Following the end of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, commencing with the fiscal year ending August 31, 2012, the Borrowers shall prepay Term Loan Borrowings in an aggregate amount equal to the ECF Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year; provided that such amount shall be reduced by the aggregate amount of prepayments of Term Loans (and, to the extent the Revolving Commitments are reduced in a corresponding amount pursuant to Section 2.08, Revolving Loans) made pursuant to Section 2.11 (a) or (h) during such fiscal year (excluding all such prepayments funded with the proceeds of other Indebtedness, the issuance of

 

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Equity Interests or receipt of capital contributions or the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of assets outside the ordinary course of business). Each prepayment pursuant to this paragraph shall be made on or before the date that is five days after the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 with respect to the fiscal year for which Excess Cash Flow is being calculated.

(e) Prior to any optional or mandatory prepayment of Borrowings hereunder, the Borrowers shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings to be prepaid and shall specify such selection in the notice of such prepayment pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section. In the event of any mandatory prepayment of Term Loan Borrowings made at a time when Term Loan Borrowings of more than one Class remain outstanding, the Borrowers shall select Term Loan Borrowings to be prepaid so that the aggregate amount of such prepayment is allocated between Term Loan Borrowings (and, to the extent provided in the Refinancing Amendment for any Class of Other Term Loans, the Borrowings of such Class) pro rata based on the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Borrowings of each such Class; provided that any Term Lender (and, to the extent provided in the Refinancing Amendment for any Class of Other Term Loans, any Lender that holds Other Term Loans of such Class) may elect, by notice to the Administrative Agent in writing by hand delivery or facsimile or other electronic transmission at least one Business Day prior to the prepayment date, to decline all or any portion of any prepayment of its Term Loans or Other Term Loans of any such Class pursuant to this Section (other than an optional prepayment pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section, which may not be declined), in which case the aggregate amount of the prepayment that would have been applied to prepay Term Loans or Other Term Loans of any such Class but was so declined shall be retained by the Borrowers. Optional prepayments of Term Loan Borrowings shall be allocated among the Classes of Term Loan Borrowings as directed by the Borrowers. In the absence of a designation by the Borrowers as described in the preceding provisions of this paragraph of the Type of Borrowing of any Class, the Administrative Agent shall make such designation in its reasonable discretion with a view, but no obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing under Section 2.16.

(f) The Borrowers shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) in writing by hand delivery or facsimile or other electronic transmission of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, in the case of a mandatory prepayment, a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment; provided that a notice of optional prepayment may state that such notice is conditional upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the receipt of the proceeds from the issuance of other Indebtedness or the occurrence of some other identifiable event or condition, in which case such notice of prepayment may be revoked by the Borrowers (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified date of prepayment) if such condition is not satisfied. Promptly following receipt of any such notice (other than a notice relating solely to Swingline Loans), the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02, except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13. At the Borrowers’ election in connection with any prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.11, such prepayment shall not be applied to any Term Loan or Revolving Loan of a Defaulting Lender and shall be allocated ratably among the relevant non-Defaulting Lenders.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of Section 2.11(c) or (d), (A) to the extent that any of or all the Net Proceeds of any Prepayment Event by a Foreign Subsidiary giving rise to a prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11(c) or (d) (a “ Foreign Prepayment Event ”) or Excess Cash Flow are prohibited or delayed by applicable local law from being repatriated to either Borrower, the portion of such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected will not be required to be applied to repay Term Loans at the times provided in Section 2.11(c) or (d), as the case may be, and such amounts may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law will not permit repatriation to either Borrower (Borrowers hereby agreeing to cause the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to promptly take all actions reasonably required by the applicable local law to permit such repatriation), and once such repatriation of any of such affected Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow is permitted

 

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under the applicable local law, such repatriation will be promptly effected and such repatriated Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow will be promptly (and in any event not later than three Business Days after such repatriation) applied (net of additional taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) to the repayment of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(c) or (d), as applicable, and (B) to the extent that the Borrower has determined in good faith that repatriation of any of or all the Net Proceeds of any Foreign Prepayment Event or Excess Cash Flow would have a material adverse tax consequence (taking into account any foreign tax credit or benefit actually realized in connection with such repatriation) with respect to such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow, the Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary; provided that in the case of this clause (B), on or before the date on which any Net Proceeds from any Foreign Prepayment Event so retained would otherwise have been required to be applied to reinvestments or prepayments pursuant to Section 2.11(c) (or, in the case of Excess Cash Flow, a date on or before the date that is twelve months after the date such Excess Cash Flow would have so required to be applied to prepayments pursuant to Section 2.11(d) unless previously repatriated in which case such repatriated Excess Cash Flow shall have been promptly applied to the repayment of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(c)), (x) the Borrower applies an amount equal to such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow to such reinvestments or prepayments as if such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow had been received by the Borrower rather than such Foreign Subsidiary, less the amount of additional taxes that would have been payable or reserved against if such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow had been repatriated (or, if less, the Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow that would be calculated if received by such Foreign Subsidiary) or (y) such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow shall be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary.

(h) Following the end of each fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower, commencing with the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Restatement Effective Date, the Borrowers shall prepay Term Loan Borrowings in an aggregate amount equal to the Excess Cash Balance as at the end of such fiscal quarter. Each prepayment pursuant to this paragraph shall be made on or before the date that is five days after the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) with respect to the fiscal period for which the Excess Cash Balance is being calculated.

SECTION 2.12. Fees .

(a) Each Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent in dollars for the account of each Revolving Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.50% per annum on the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the third Business Day following the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). For purposes of computing commitment fees, a Revolving Commitment of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure of such Lender (and the Swingline Exposure of such Lender shall be disregarded for such purpose).

(b) Each Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent in dollars for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurocurrency Revolving Loans on the daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank in dollars a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and

 

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December of each year shall be payable on the third Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date, provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to an Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

(c) The Borrowers agree to make an additional payment for the ratable account of the Term Lenders party to this Agreement on the date hereof in an amount equal to $5,000,000 in the event that the Term Loan remains outstanding on the first anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date, which additional payment shall be in all respects fully earned on the Restatement Effective Date but due and payable in cash on the earlier to occur of (i) the first anniversary of such date and (ii) the acceleration of the Secured Obligations for any reason (including commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or similar case or proceeding) and such additional payment shall be non-refundable and noncreditable thereafter.

(d) The Parent Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(e) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to an Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Revolving Lenders entitled thereto. Fees paid hereunder shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to Section 2.22, no Borrower shall be obligated to pay any amounts to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Section 2.12.

SECTION 2.13. Interest .

(a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrowers hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2.00% per annum plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2.00% per annum plus the rate applicable to ABR Revolving Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section; provided that no amount shall be payable pursuant to this Section 2.13(c) to a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender; provided further that no amounts shall accrue pursuant to this Section 2.13(c) on any overdue amount, reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement or other amount payable to a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender.

(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Revolving Commitments, provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Revolving Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

 

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(e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.14. Alternate Rate of Interest . If at least two Business Days prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:

(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or

(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period,

the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Parent Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or facsimile as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Parent Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing and shall be ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing, then such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing; provided , however , that, in each case, the Parent Borrower may revoke any Borrowing Request that is pending when such notice is received.

SECTION 2.15. Increased Costs .

(a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or any Issuing Bank (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate); or

(ii) impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or issue any Letter of Credit) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then, from time to time upon request of such Lender or Issuing Bank, the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such increased costs actually incurred or reduction actually suffered, provided that to the extent any such costs or reductions are incurred by any Lender as a result of any requests, rules, guidelines or directives enacted or promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act after the Effective Date, then such Lender shall be compensated pursuant to this Section 2.15(a) only to the extent such Lender is imposing such charges on similarly situated borrowers under the other syndicated credit facilities that such Lender is a lender under. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this paragraph will not apply to any such increased costs or reductions resulting from Taxes, as to which Section 2.17 shall govern.

 

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(b) If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then, from time to time upon request of such Lender or Issuing Bank, the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction actually suffered.

(c) A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company in reasonable detail, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section delivered to the Borrowers shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 15 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrowers of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

SECTION 2.16. Break Funding Payments . In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Revolving Loan or Term Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(f) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.19 or Section 9.02(c), then, in any such event, the Borrowers shall, after receipt of a written request by any Lender affected by any such event (which request shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount), compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrowers to the Lenders under this Section 2.16, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurocurrency Loan made by it at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurocurrency Loan was in fact so funded. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section delivered to the Borrowers shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 15 days after receipt of such demand. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 2.16 will not apply to losses, costs or expenses resulting from Taxes, as to which Section 2.17 shall govern.

SECTION 2.17. Taxes .

(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Taxes, provided that if the applicable withholding agent shall be required by applicable Requirements of Law to deduct any Taxes from such payments, then (i) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions, (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law and (iii) if the Tax in question is an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax, the amount payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after all required deductions have been made (including deductions applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent or Lender (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made.

 

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(b) Without limiting the provisions of paragraph (a) above, the Parent Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Requirements of Law.

(c) Each Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, within 30 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and any Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation of the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrowers by a Lender or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, the Parent Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Each Lender shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable Requirements of Law and such other documentation reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent (i) as will permit such payments to be made without, or at a reduced rate of, withholding or (ii) as will enable the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to withholding or information reporting requirements. Each Lender shall, whenever a lapse or time or change in circumstances renders such documentation obsolete, expired or inaccurate in any material respect, deliver promptly to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent updated or other appropriate documentation (including any new documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) or promptly notify the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its inability to do so. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no Lender or Participant shall be required to deliver any form of certificate that it is not legally able to deliver.

Without limiting the foregoing:

(1) Each Lender that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(3) of the Code shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding.

(2) Each Lender that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701 (a)(3) of the Code shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of a Borrower or the Administrative Agent) whichever of the following is applicable:

(A) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or any successor forms) claiming eligibility for the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, and such other documentation as required under the Code,

(B) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or any successor forms),

 

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(C) in the case of a Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) two properly completed and duly signed certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit R-1 , R-2 , R-3 and R-4 , as applicable, (any such certificate, a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or any successor forms),

(D) to the extent a Lender is not the beneficial owner (for example, where the Lender is a partnership or a participating Lender), two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY (or any successor forms) of the Lender, accompanied by a Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN, U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, Form W-9, Form W-8IMY or any other required information (or any successor forms) from each beneficial owner that would be required under this Section 2.17(e) if such beneficial owner were a Lender, as applicable ( provided that, if the Lender is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and not a participating Lender) and one or more beneficial owners are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, the U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate may be provided by such Lender on behalf of such beneficial owner), or

(E) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of any other form prescribed by applicable U.S. federal income tax laws as a basis for claiming a complete exemption from, or a reduction in, U.S. federal withholding tax on any payments to such Lender under the Loan Documents.

(3) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA, such Lender shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by a Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law and such additional documentation reasonably requested by a Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA and, if necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this clause (e), a Lender shall not be required to deliver any form or other documentation that such Lender is not legally eligible to deliver.

(f) If the Parent Borrower determines in good faith that a reasonable basis exists for contesting any Taxes for which indemnification has been demanded hereunder, the Administrative Agent or the relevant Lender, as applicable, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Parent Borrower in a reasonable challenge of such Taxes if so requested by the Parent Borrower; provided that (a) the Administrative Agent or such Lender determines in its reasonable discretion that it would not be subject to any unreimbursed third party cost or expense or otherwise be prejudiced by cooperating in such challenge, (b) the Parent Borrower pays all related expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable and (c) the Parent Borrower indemnifies the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, for any liabilities or other costs incurred by such party in connection with such challenge. The Administrative Agent or a Lender shall claim any refund that it determines is reasonably available to it, unless it concludes in its reasonable discretion that it would be adversely affected by making such a claim. If the Administrative Agent or a Lender receives a refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Parent Borrower or with respect to which the Parent Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay over such refund to the Parent Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Parent Borrower under this Section with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees promptly to repay the amount paid over to the Parent Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. The Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, shall, at the Parent Borrower’s request, provide the Parent Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence of the

 

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requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant taxing authority ( provided that the Administrative Agent or such Lender may delete any information therein that the Administrative Agent or such Lender deems confidential). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to Taxes which it deems confidential to any Loan Party or any other Person).

(g) The agreements in this Section 2.17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

(h) For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” shall include any Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender.

SECTION 2.18. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs .

(a) Each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it under any Loan Document (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to the time expressly required hereunder or under such other Loan Document for such payment (or, if no such time is expressly required, prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time), on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without setoff or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to such account as may be specified by the Administrative Agent, except payments to be made directly to any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender shall be made as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto and payments pursuant to other Loan Documents shall be made to the Persons specified therein. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment (other than payments on the Eurocurrency Loans) under any Loan Document shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment on a Eurocurrency Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate for the period of such extension. All payments or prepayments of any Loan shall be made in the currency in which such Loan is denominated, all reimbursements of any LC Disbursements shall be made in dollars, all payments of accrued interest payable on a Loan or LC Disbursement shall be made in dollars, and all other payments under each Loan Document shall be made in dollars.

(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans, Term Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans, Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans, Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans, Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment

 

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giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by such Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from existence of a Defaulting Lender), (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant or (C) any disproportionate payment obtained by a Lender of any Class as a result of the extension by Lenders of the maturity date or expiration date of some but not all Loans or Revolving Commitments of that Class or any increase in the Applicable Rate in respect of Loans of Lenders that have consented to any such extension. The Borrowers consent to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrowers rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrowers in the amount of such participation.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption and in its sole discretion, distribute to the Lenders or Issuing Banks, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or Issuing Banks, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(c), 2.05(e) or 2.05(f), 2.06(a) or (b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion and in the order determined by the Administrative Agent (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Section until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and to be applied to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section.

SECTION 2.19. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .

(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrowers are required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17 or any event that gives rise to the operation of Section 2.23, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or its participation in any Letter of Credit affected by such event, or to assign and delegate its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment and delegation (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or mitigate the applicability of Section 2.23, as the case may be, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense reasonably deemed by such Lender to be material and would not be inconsistent with the internal policies of, or otherwise be disadvantageous in any material economic, legal or regulatory respect to, such Lender.

(b) If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15 or gives notice under Section 2.23, (ii) the Borrowers are required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or to any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or (iii) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment and delegation), provided that (A) the Borrowers shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent to the extent such consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of

 

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Loans or Commitments, as applicable (and if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned and delegated, each Principal Issuing Bank and each Swingline Lender), which consents, in each case, shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (B) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and unreimbursed participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued but unpaid interest thereon, accrued but unpaid fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts), (C) the Borrowers or such assignee shall have paid (unless waived) to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b)(ii) and (D) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15, payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17 or a notice given under Section 2.23, such assignment will result in a material reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise (including as a result of any action taken by such Lender under paragraph (a) above), the circumstances entitling the Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Each party hereto agrees that an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and that the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto.

SECTION 2.20. [Intentionally Omitted] .

SECTION 2.21. Refinancing Amendments .

(a) At any time after the Effective Date, the Parent Borrower may obtain, from any Lender or any Additional Lender, Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of (a) all or any portion of the Term Loans then outstanding under this Agreement (which for purposes of this clause (a) will be deemed to include any then outstanding Other Term Loans) or (b) all or any portion of the Revolving Loans (or unused Revolving Commitments) under this Agreement (which for purposes of this clause (b) will be deemed to include any then outstanding Other Revolving Loans and Other Revolving Commitments), in the form of (x) Other Term Loans or Other Term Commitments or (y) Other Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Commitments, as the case may be, in each case pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment; provided that such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (i) will have such pricing and optional prepayment terms as may be agreed by the Borrower and the Lenders thereof, (ii) (x) with respect to any Other Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Commitments, will have a maturity date that is not prior to the maturity date of Revolving Loans (or unused Revolving Commitments) being refinanced and (y) with respect to any Other Term Loans or Other Term Commitments, will have a maturity date that is not prior to the maturity date of the Term Loans being refinanced, (iii) the proceeds of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall be applied, substantially concurrently with the incurrence thereof, to the prepayment of outstanding Term Loans or reduction of Revolving Commitments being so refinanced, as the case may be and (iv) which is in the form of Other Term Loans or Other Term Commitments obtained in respect of a portion of the Term Loans then outstanding under this Agreement (which for purposes of this clause (iv) will be deemed to include any then outstanding Other Term Loans), shall have interest rate margins, rate floors, fees, premiums, funding, discounts and amortization schedules to be determined by the Borrowers and the applicable lenders with respect to the holders of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness and in the event that the yield on any such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is higher than the yield for the Term Loans by more than 50 basis points, then the yield for the Term Loans shall be increased to the extent necessary so that such yield is equal to the yield for such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness minus 50 basis points; provided , that, in determining the yield applicable to such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness and the Term Loans (x) OID or upfront fees (which shall be deemed to constitute like amounts of OID) payable by the Borrowers to the Term Lenders or any Additional Lenders in the initial primary syndication thereof shall be included (with OlD being equated to interest based on assumed four-year life to maturity), (y) customary arrangement or commitment fees payable to any of the Joint Bookrunners (or their respective affiliates) in connection with this Agreement or to one or more arrangers (or their affiliates) of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall be excluded and (z) if such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness includes an interest rate floor greater than the interest rate floor applicable to the Term Loans, such increased amount shall be equated to interest margin for purposes of determining whether an increase to the applicable interest margin for the Term Loans shall be required, to the extent an increase in the interest rate floor in the Term Loans would cause an increase in the interest rate then in effect, and in such case the interest rate floor

 

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(but not the interest rate margin) applicable to the Term Loans shall be increased by such increased amount; provided further that the terms and conditions applicable to such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness may provide for any additional or different financial or other covenants or other provisions that are agreed between the Parent Borrower and the Lenders thereof and applicable only during periods after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained. The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of legal opinions, board resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date under Section 4.01 (other than changes to such legal opinions resulting from a change in law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent). Each Class of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred under this Section 2.21 shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (x) not less than $10,000,000 in the case of Other Term Loans or $10,000,000 in the case of Other Revolving Loans and (y) an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Any Refinancing Amendment may provide for the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of the Parent Borrower, or the provision to the Parent Borrower of Swingline Loans, pursuant to any Other Revolving Commitments established thereby, in each case on terms substantially equivalent to the terms applicable to Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under the Revolving Commitments. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Refinancing Amendment. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto (including any amendments necessary to treat the Loans and Commitments subject thereto as Other Term Loans, Other Revolving Loans, Other Revolving Commitments and/or Other Term Commitments). Any Refinancing Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section. In addition, if so provided in the relevant Refinancing Amendment and with the consent of each Issuing Bank, participations in Letters of Credit expiring on or after the Revolving Maturity Date shall be reallocated from Lenders holding Revolving Commitments to Lenders holding extended revolving commitments in accordance with the terms of such Refinancing Amendment; provided , however , that such participation interests shall, upon receipt thereof by the relevant Lenders holding Revolving Commitments, be deemed to be participation interests in respect of such Revolving Commitments and the terms of such participation interests (including, without limitation, the commission applicable thereto) shall be adjusted accordingly.

(b) This Section 2.21 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.18 or Section 9.02 to the contrary.

SECTION 2.22. Defaulting Lenders .

(a) Adjustments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

(i) Waivers and Amendments . Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 9.02.

(ii) Reallocation of Payments . Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.08), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , in the case of a Revolving Lender, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender hereunder; third , as the Parent Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting

 

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Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fourth , in the case of a Revolving Lender, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; fifth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; sixth , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to a Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Parent Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and seventh , to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements and such Lender is a Defaulting Lender under clause (a) of the definition thereof, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the relevant Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, the relevant non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied pursuant to Section 2.05(j). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(iii) Certain Fees . That Defaulting Lender (x) shall not be entitled to receive or accrue any commitment fee pursuant to Section 2.12(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender) and (y) shall be limited in its right to receive Letter of Credit Fees as provided in Section 2.12(b).

(iv) Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure . During any period in which there is a Defaulting Lender, for purposes of computing the amount of the obligation of each non- Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit pursuant to Sections 2.04 and 2.05, the “Applicable Percentage” of each non-Defaulting Lender shall be computed without giving effect to the Revolving Commitment of that Defaulting Lender; provided that the aggregate obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall not exceed the positive difference, if any, of (1) the Revolving Commitment of that non-Defaulting Lender minus (2) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans of that Lender.

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any cash collateral), such Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv)), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrowers while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided , further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

SECTION 2.23. Illegality . If any Lender determines that any law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrowers through the Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Loans or to convert ABR Loans denominated in

 

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dollars to Eurocurrency Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrowers shall, upon three Business Days’ notice from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurocurrency Loans of such Lender to ABR Loans either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Loans, and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Alternate Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate. Each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers in writing promptly upon becoming aware that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

SECTION 2.24. Tax Treatment .

(a) Debt Treatment and Warrants . The Borrowers and the Lenders agree, unless otherwise required by a change in law (including a change in existing or issuance of new laws, regulations, judicial rulings or published administrative determinations with respect to Taxes), or as required by the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authority following a good faith resolution of an audit or examination, (i) to treat the Term Loans, as of before and after the Restatement Effective Date, as indebtedness of the Borrowers for U.S. federal income Tax purposes and (ii) to treat the Term Loans and the warrants to purchase shares of Smart Global Holdings Inc. (the “ Warrants ”) that are issued to the Lenders as a condition to the effectiveness of the Fourth Amendment as having been issued as an “investment unit” within the meaning of Section 1273(c)(2) of the Code, and, correspondingly, the Term Loans as having been issued with OID for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent required and as determined pursuant to Section 2.24(b) and (iii) in each case, to not take any Tax position inconsistent with such Tax characterization. For the avoidance of doubt, the description of change in law in this Section 2.24 shall not affect the interpretation of law or Requirement of Law or change in law or Requirement of Law in any other provision of this Agreement and any such reference elsewhere in this Agreement shall be interpreted without regard to this Section 2.24. The inclusion of this Section 2.24 is not an admission by any Lender that it is subject to taxation in the United States.

(b) Determination of Issue Price and OID . Within 90 (ninety) days after the date hereof, the Borrowers and the Required Lenders shall cooperate in good faith to determine the “issue price”, the amount of OID (if any) of the Term Loans, the fair market value of the Warrants and the treatment of the transactions contemplated by the amendment and restatement as of the date hereof of this Agreement and the agreements entered into in connection herewith, in each case, as determined for applicable U.S. federal income Tax purposes. For each year in which the Term Loans are outstanding, the Borrowers shall provide the Required Lenders with calculations by the Borrowers regarding (a) the amount of OID for any applicable accrual period on the Term Loans and (b) the allocation of the issue price and the fair market value of the Warrants and the Second Tranche Warrant Shares (as such term is defined in the Warrant), as applicable, at least 60 (sixty) days before the filing of any Tax return reporting these items, and the Required Lenders shall have 30 (thirty) days to review and approve such calculations, in each case, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. If the Required Lenders dispute any such calculation, they shall notify the Borrowers of such disputed item (or items) and the basis for their objection. The parties shall act in good faith to resolve any such dispute; provided that if the parties have not resolved any disputed item on or before the date that is 20 (twenty) days prior to the due date of the relevant Tax return, the item in question shall be resolved, prior to such due date by an independent accounting firm mutually acceptable to the Required Lenders and the Borrowers. The fees and expenses of such accounting firm shall be borne by the Borrowers. The Borrowers and the Lenders shall notfile any Tax return inconsistent with the amounts agreed pursuant to the preceding sentences of this Section 2.24(b).

 

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ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower (and the Co-Borrower as to itself and its Restricted Subsidiaries) represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers . Each of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdictions) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party and to effect the Transactions and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability . The Transactions to be entered into by each Loan Party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action and, if required, action by the holders of such Loan Party’s Equity Interests. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of Holdings and the Borrowers and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is to be a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of Holdings, the Borrowers or such Loan Party, as the case may be, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts . The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except filings necessary to perfect Liens created under the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate (i) the Organizational Documents of, or (ii) any Requirements of Law applicable to, Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture or other agreement or instrument binding upon Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary or their respective assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment, repurchase or redemption to be made by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation thereunder, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, except Liens created under the Loan Documents, except (in the case of each of clauses (a), (b)(ii) and (c)) to the extent that the failure to obtain or make such consent, approval, registration, filing or action, or such violation, as the case may be, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect .

(a) Holdings has heretofore furnished to the Lenders the Audited Financial Statements. The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein and (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Target and its subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein.

(b) The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Target and its subsidiaries dated May 27, 2011 and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Target and its subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments.

 

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(c) Holdings has heretofore furnished to the Lenders the consolidated pro forma balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of May 27, 2011, and the related consolidated pro forma statement of income of the Parent Borrower as of and for the twelve-month period then ended (such pro forma balance sheet and statement of income, the “ Pro Forma Financial Statements ”), which have been prepared giving effect to the Transactions (excluding the impact of purchase accounting effects required by GAAP) as if such transactions had occurred on such date or at the beginning of such period, as the case may be. The Pro Forma Financial Statements have been prepared in good faith, based on assumptions believed by Holdings to be reasonable as of the date of delivery thereof, and present fairly in all material respects on a pro forma basis the estimated financial position of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of May 27, 2011, and their estimated results of operations for the periods covered thereby, assuming that the Transactions had actually occurred at such date or at the beginning of such period (excluding the impact of purchase accounting effects required by GAAP).

(d) Since August 27, 2010, there has been no Material Adverse Effect ( provided that the representation set forth in this Section 3.04(c) shall not be deemed made on the Effective Date in respect of any Borrowings or extensions of credit made hereunder on such date).

SECTION 3.05. Properties .

(a) Each of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, if any (including the Mortgaged Properties), (i) free and clear of all Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02 and (ii) except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes, in each case, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Each of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property material to the conduct of its business, and the use thereof by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the Intellectual Property rights of any other Person, in each case except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) As of the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions, none of Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary owns any real property.

SECTION 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters .

(a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Parent Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, none of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Parent Borrower, become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received written notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) has, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Parent Borrower, any basis to reasonably expect that Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary will become subject to any Environmental Liability.

 

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SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements . Each of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries is in compliance with (a) its Organizational Documents, (b) all Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property and (c) all indentures and other agreements and instruments binding upon it or its property, except, in the case of clauses (b) and (c) of this Section, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.08. Investment Company Status . None of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

SECTION 3.09. Taxes . Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, Holdings, the Parent Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary (a) have timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and (b) have paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid (whether or not shown on a Tax return) including in their capacity as tax withholding agents, except any Taxes (i) that are not overdue by more than 30 days or (ii) that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that Holdings, the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, has set aside on its books adequate reserves therefore in accordance with GAAP.

SECTION 3.10. ERISA .

(a) Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state Laws.

(b) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no ERISA Event has occurred during the five year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made with respect to any Plan, (ii) no Plan has an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, (iii) neither Holdings nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA), (iv) neither Holdings nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan and (v) neither Holdings nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

SECTION 3.11. Disclosure . Neither (a) the Information Memorandum as of the Effective Date nor (b) any of the other reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of any Loan Document or delivered thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) when taken as a whole contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading, provided that, with respect to projected financial information, Holdings and the Parent Borrower represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by them to be reasonable at the time delivered and, if such projected financial information was delivered prior to the Effective Date, as of the Effective Date, it being understood that any such projected financial information may vary from actual results and such variations could be material.

SECTION 3.12. Subsidiaries . As of the Effective Date, Schedule 3.12 sets forth the name of, and the ownership interest of Holdings and each Subsidiary in, each Subsidiary.

SECTION 3.13. Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc . Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries own, license or possess the right to use, all of the rights to Intellectual Property that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses as currently conducted, and, without conflict with the rights of any Person, except to the extent such conflicts, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be

 

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expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Holdings, the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary do not, in the operation of their business as currently conducted, infringe upon any Intellectual Property rights held by any Person except for such infringements, individually or in the aggregate, which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim or litigation regarding any of the Intellectual Property owned by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of Holdings and the Parent Borrower, threatened in writing against Holdings, each Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.14. Solvency . Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, after taking into account all applicable rights of indemnity and contribution, (a) the fair value of the assets of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, at a fair valuation, will exceed their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of their debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured, (c) Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured, and (d) Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which they are engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted following the Effective Date. For purposes of this Section 3.14, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that could reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

SECTION 3.15. Senior Indebtedness . The Loan Document Obligations constitute “Senior Indebtedness” (or any comparable term) under and as defined in the documentation governing any other Subordinated Indebtedness.

SECTION 3.16. Federal Reserve Regulations . None of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, to purchase or carry any margin stock or to refinance any Indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, or for any other purpose that entails a violation (including on the part of any Lender) of the provisions of Regulations U or X of the Board of Governors.

SECTION 3.17. Use of Proceeds . The Borrowers will use the proceeds of (a) the Term Loans made on the Effective Date to finance the Transaction and pay Transaction Costs and (b) the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans on the Effective Date to pay a portion of the Transaction costs and after the Effective Date for general corporate purposes.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS

SECTION 4.01. Effective Date . The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of each Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder became effective on the Effective Date, on which each of the following conditions were satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed counterpart of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

 

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(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks and dated the Effective Date) of each of (i) Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York counsel for the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 , (ii) Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados, Brazilian counsel for the Loan Parties in form of Exhibit F-2 , (iii) Walkers Global, Cayman counsel for the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-3 , (iv) De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek N.V., Dutch counsel for the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 , and (v) Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen, Luxembourg counsel for the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-5 and, in the case of each such opinion required by this paragraph, covering such other matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinions.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit I with appropriate insertions, executed by any Responsible Officer of such Loan Party, and including or attaching the documents referred to in paragraph (d) of this Section.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of (i) each Organizational Document of each Loan Party certified, to the extent applicable, as of a recent date by the applicable Governmental Authority, (ii) signature and incumbency certificates of the Responsible Officers of each Loan Party executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (iii) resolutions of the board of directors and/or similar governing bodies of each Loan Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of Loan Documents to which it is a party, certified as of the Effective Date by its secretary, an assistant secretary or a Responsible Officer as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment, and (iv) a good standing certificate (to the extent such concept exists) from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Loan Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts previously agreed in writing by the Joint Bookrunners and Holdings to be due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced at least three Business Days prior to the Effective Date, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) required to be reimbursed or paid by any Loan Party under any Loan Document.

(f) The Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been satisfied and the Administrative Agent shall have received a completed Perfection Certificate dated the Effective Date and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower, together with all attachments contemplated thereby, including the results of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent) filings made with respect to Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the jurisdictions contemplated by the Perfection Certificate and copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such search and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Liens indicated by such financing statements (or similar documents) are permitted by Section 6.02 or have been or will contemporaneously with the initial funding of Loans on the Effective Date be released; provided that if, notwithstanding the use by Holdings and the Parent Borrower of commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied on the Effective Date, the requirements thereof (other than (a) the execution and delivery of the Guarantee Agreement and the Collateral Agreement by the Loan Parties, (b) creation of and perfection of security interests in the Equity Interests of (i) Domestic Subsidiaries of Holdings and the Parent Borrower, and (c) delivery of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements with respect to perfection of security interests in other assets of the Loan Parties that may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code) are not satisfied as of the Effective Date, the satisfaction of such requirements shall not be a condition to the availability of the initial Loans on the Effective Date (but shall be required to be satisfied as promptly as practicable after the Effective Date and in any event within the period specified therefor in Schedule 5.14 or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree).

 

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(g) Subject to the qualifications set forth in the lead-in to Article III of the Acquisition Agreement, since August 27, 2010 to April 26, 2011, there has not been any change, event development or effect that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Target Material Adverse Effect. Since April 26, 2011 there has not been any change, event, development or effect that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Target Material Adverse Effect.

(h) Certificates of insurance shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent evidencing the existence of insurance to be maintained by Holdings and the Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 5.07 and, if applicable, the Administrative Agent shall be designated as an additional insured and loss payee or mortgage endorsement as its interest may appear hereunder, or solely as the additional insured, as the case may be, hereunder ( provided that if such endorsement as additional insured cannot be delivered by the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent may consent to such endorsement being delivered at such later date as it deems appropriate in the circumstances).

(i) The Joint Bookrunners shall have received the (i) Pro Forma Financial Statements, (ii) Audited Financial Statements and (iii) unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows of the Target for each subsequent fiscal quarter after August 27, 2010 ended at least 45 days before the Effective Date (excluding footnotes).

(j) The Specified Representations shall be true and correct on and as of the Effective Date.

(k) The Acquisition shall have been consummated, or substantially simultaneously with the initial funding of Loans on the Effective Date, shall be consummated, in all material respects in accordance with the Acquisition Agreement (without giving effect to any amendments, supplements, waivers or other modifications to or of the Acquisition Agreement that are material and adverse to the Lenders or the Joint Book runners as reasonably determined by the Joint Book runners (it being understood that (x) any modification, amendment, consent or waiver to the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” shall be deemed to be material and adverse to the interest of the Lenders and the Joint Bookrunners and (y) (i) any reduction in the purchase price of the Acquisition shall be deemed to be material and adverse to the interest of the Lenders and the Joint Bookrunners ( provided that, in no event shall a reduction of the purchase price by less than 10% be deemed material for such purposes and any such reduction shall not require the prior consent of the Joint Bookrunners) and (ii) any reduction in the purchase price of the Acquisition (other than a reduction covered by the foregoing clause (y)(i)) shall not be deemed to be material and adverse to the interest of the Lenders and the Joint Bookrunners if such reduction is allocated to ratably reduce the pro forma equity capitalization of the Target and the Term Loans)).

(l) The Equity Financing shall have occurred and Holdings shall have received cash proceeds from the Equity Financing in an amount that, together with the Rolled Equity, is at least equal to 45% of the total pro forma debt and equity capitalization of Holdings and its subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) on the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions.

(m) After giving effect to the Transactions, (i) none of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary shall have outstanding any Disqualified Equity Interests or any Indebtedness, other than (A) Indebtedness incurred under the Loan Documents and (B) Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01. Without limiting the foregoing, the Refinancing Transaction shall have occurred.

(n) The Lenders shall have received a certificate from the chief financial officer of the Parent Borrower certifying as to the solvency of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions.

(o) The Administrative Agent and the Joint Bookrunners shall have received all documentation and other information about the Loan Parties as shall have been reasonably requested in writing at least 10 days prior to the Effective Date by the Administrative Agent or the Joint Bookrunners that they shall have reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA Patriot Act.

 

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The Administrative Agent shall notify Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions shall have been satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 9.02) at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 6, 2011 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate at such time).

SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event . The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of each Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, in each case other than on the Effective Date is subject to receipt of the request therefor in accordance herewith and to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) The representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as the case may be (in each case, unless such date is the Effective Date); provided that, to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; provided further that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects on the date of such credit extension or on such earlier date, as the case may be.

(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as the case may be (unless such Borrowing is on the Effective Date), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(c) At the time of any Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans are drawn upon or Letters of Credit are issued (if after giving effect to such Letter of Credit there would be more than $1,000,000 of Letters of Credit outstanding that are not cash collateralized), after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, the Secured Net Leverage Ratio shall not exceed the ratio in effect for the most recently ended Test Period at such time pursuant to Section 6.12(a).

Each Borrowing ( provided that a conversion or a continuation of a Borrowing shall not constitute a “Borrowing” for purposes of this Section) and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by Holdings and each Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts (other than contingent amounts not yet due) payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or been terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements and Other Information . The Parent Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent, on behalf of each Lender:

(a) on or before the date on which such financial statements are required or permitted to be filed with the SEC (or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 120 days after the end of each such fiscal year of Parent Borrower (or, in the case of financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 26, 2011, on or before the date that is 150 days after the end of such fiscal year)), audited consolidated balance sheet and audited consolidated statements of

 

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operations and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Parent Borrower (or, in the case of financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 26, 2011, the Target) as of the end of and for such year, and related notes thereto, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Deloitte & Touche LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than with respect to, or resulting from any potential inability to satisfy the covenants in Section 6.12 of this Agreement in a future date or period) and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the end of and for such year and results of operations and cash flows of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries (or, in the case of the fiscal year ended August 26, 2011, the Target and its subsidiaries) on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

(b) commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ending November 25, 2011, on or before the date on which such financial statements are required or permitted to be filed with the SEC with respect to each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower (or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 60 days after the end of each such fiscal quarter (or, in the case of financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended November 25, 2011 on or before the date that is 90 days after the end of such fiscal quarter and in the case of financial statements for the fiscal quarters ended February 24, 2012 and May 25, 2012, respectively, on or before the date that is 75 days after the end of such fiscal quarter)), unaudited consolidated balance sheet and unaudited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth for each fiscal quarter commencing with the fiscal quarter ending November 30, 2012 in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and such portion of the fiscal year and results of operations and cash flows of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

(c) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of consolidated financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, the related consolidating financial statements reflecting adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements;

(d) not later than five days after any delivery of financial statements under paragraph (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations (A) of the Secured Leverage Ratio, (B) of the Secured Net Leverage Ratio demonstrating compliance with the covenants contained in Section 6.12 and (C) in the case of financial statements delivered under paragraph (a) above, beginning with the financial statements for the fiscal year of the Parent Borrower ending August 31, 2012, of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year and (iii) in the case of financial statements delivered under paragraph (a) above, setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation of the Net Proceeds received during the applicable period by or on behalf of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any event described in clause (a) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event” and the portion of such Net Proceeds that has been invested or are intended to be reinvested in accordance with the proviso in Section 2.11(c);

(e) not later than five days after any delivery of financial statements under paragraph (a) above, a certificate of the accounting firm that reported on such financial statements stating whether it obtained knowledge during the course of its examination of such financial statements of any Default relating to Sections 6.12 and, if such knowledge has been obtained, describing such Default (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines);

 

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(f) not later than 120 days after the commencement of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower (or in the case of the fiscal year ended August 26, 2011, on or before the date that is 150 days at the end of such fiscal year), a detailed consolidated budget for the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statements of projected operations, comprehensive income and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal year and setting forth the material assumptions used for purposes of preparing such budget);

(g) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and registration statements (other than amendments to any registration statement (to the extent such registration statement, in the form it became effective, is delivered to the Administrative Agent), exhibits to any registration statement and, if applicable, any registration statement on Form S-8) filed by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or Subsidiaries (or, if the Parent Borrower is a subsidiary of the IPO Entity, the IPO Entity) with the SEC or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Parent Borrower (or, if the Parent Borrower is a subsidiary of the IPO Entity, the IPO Entity) to the holders of its Equity Interests generally, as the case may be;

(h) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of any Lender may reasonably request in writing; and

(i) (i) not later than 90 days after the end of the fiscal year of Parent Borrower ended August 26, 2011, summary unaudited and abbreviated consolidated financial information of the Parent Borrower of such type that are provided to the Board of Directors of Holdings or to senior management and (ii) not later than 60 days after the end of each of the fiscal quarters ended November 25, 2011, February 24, 2012 and May 25, 2012, summary unaudited and abbreviated consolidated financial information of the Parent Borrower of such type that are provided to the Board of Directors of Holdings or to senior management.

The Parent Borrower will hold and participate in a quarterly conference call for Lenders to discuss financial information delivered pursuant to paragraphs (a), (b) and (f) of this Section 5.01. The Parent Borrower will hold such conference call following the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower and not later than five Business Days from the time that the Parent Borrower delivers the financial information as set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.01. Prior to each conference call, the Parent Borrower shall issue a press release to the appropriate wire services announcing the time and date of such conference call and, unless the call is to be open to the public, Lenders, securities analysts and prospective lenders to contact the office of the Parent Borrower’s chief financial officer or investor relations department to obtain access. If the Parent Borrower is holding a conference call open to the public to discuss the most recent quarter’s financial performance, the Parent Borrower will not be required to hold a second, separate call just for the Lenders.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.01 may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries by furnishing (A) the Form 10-K or 10-Q (or the equivalent), as applicable, of the Parent Borrower (or a parent company thereof) filed with the SEC or with a similar regulatory authority in a foreign jurisdiction or (B) the applicable financial statement of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings); provided that to the extent such information relates to a parent of the Parent Borrower, such information is accompanied by consolidating information, which may be unaudited, that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand, and to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under Section 5.01(a), such materials are accompanied by a report and opinion of Deloitte & Touche LLP or any other independent registered public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than with respect to, or resulting from any potential inability to satisfy the covenants in Section 6.12 of this Agreement in a future date or period) or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.

 

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Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a), (b) or (f) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Parent Borrower’s website on the Internet; (B) on which such documents are posted on the Parent Borrower’s behalf on IntraLinks/lntraAgency or another website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Parent Borrower shall deliver such documents to the Administrative Agent upon its reasonable request until a written notice to cease delivering such documents is given by the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Parent Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and upon its reasonable request, provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions ( i.e. , soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents and maintaining its copies of such documents.

The Parent Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Joint Bookrunners will make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Parent Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Parent Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Parent Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “ Platform ”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “ Public Lender ”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Parent Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Parent Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Parent Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Parent Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Parent Borrower Materials “PUBLIC”, the Parent Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Joint Bookrunners, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders to treat such Parent Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Parent Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws ( provided , however , that to the extent such Parent Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 9.12); (y) all Parent Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information”; and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Parent Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information”. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Parent Borrower Materials “PUBLIC”.

SECTION 5.02. Notices of Material Events . Promptly after any Responsible Officer of Holdings or any Borrower obtains actual knowledge thereof, Holdings or such Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to each Lender through the Administrative Agent) written notice of the following:

(a) the occurrence of any Default; and

(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or, to the knowledge of a Financial Officer or another executive officer of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, affecting Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the receipt of a notice of an Environmental Liability that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Parent Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

 

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SECTION 5.03. Information Regarding Collateral .

(a) Holdings or the Parent Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt (and in any event within 30 days or such longer period as reasonably agreed to by the Administrative Agent) written notice of any change (i) in any Loan Party’s legal name (as set forth in its certificate of organization or like document), (ii) in the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of any Loan Party or in the form of its organization or (iii) in any Loan Party’s organizational identification number.

(b) Not later than five days after delivery of financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01 (a) or (b), Holdings or the Parent Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Parent Borrower (i) setting forth the information required pursuant to Sections 1(a)(i), 1(b), 2, 5, 6, 8 (other than 8(f)) of the Perfection Certificate or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Perfection Certificate delivered on the Effective Date or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section, (ii) identifying any wholly-owned Subsidiary that has become, or ceased to be a Material Subsidiary during the most recently ended fiscal quarter and (iii) certifying that all notices required to be given prior to the date of such certificate by Section 5.03 or 5.12 have been given.

SECTION 5.04. Existence; Conduct of Business . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to obtain, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business, in each case (other than the preservation of the existence of Holdings and the Parent Borrower) to the extent that the failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03 or any Disposition permitted by Section 6.05.

SECTION 5.05. Payment of Taxes, etc . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, pay its obligations in respect of Taxes before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.06. Maintenance of Properties . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.07. Insurance .

(a) Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each other Subsidiary to, maintain, with insurance companies that Holdings believes (in the good faith judgment of the management of Holdings and the Parent Borrower) are financially sound and responsible at the time the relevant coverage is placed or renewed, insurance in at least such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance which Holdings and the Parent Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of management of Holdings and the Parent Borrower) is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business) and against at least such risks (and with such risk retentions) as Holdings and the Parent Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment or the management of Holdings and the Parent Borrower) are reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business; and will furnish to the Lenders, upon written request from the Administrative Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried. Each such policy of insurance shall (i) name the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear and (ii) in the case of each casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable clause or endorsement that names Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders as the loss payee thereunder.

(b) If any portion of any Mortgaged Property subject to FEMA rules and regulations is at any time located in an area identified by FEMA (or any successor agency) as a Special Flood Hazard Area with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (as now or hereafter in effect or successor act thereto, the “Flood Insurance Laws”), then the Parent Borrower shall, or shall cause the relevant Loan Party to (i) maintain or cause to be maintained, flood insurance sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Flood Insurance Laws and (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent evidence of such compliance.

 

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SECTION 5.08. Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights . Each of Holdings and the Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, maintain proper books of record and account in which entries that are full, true and correct in all material respects and are in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all material financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be. Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause its Restricted Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested; provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders may exercise visitation and inspection rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Section 5.08 and the Administrative Agent shall not exercise such rights more often than two times during any calendar year absent the existence of an Event of Default and only one such time shall be at the Parent Borrower’s expense; provided further that (a) when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Parent Borrower at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice and (b) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall give Holdings and the Parent Borrower the opportunity to participate in any discussions with Holdings’ or the Parent Borrower’s independent public accountants.

SECTION 5.09. Compliance with Laws . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, comply with its Organizational Documents and all Requirements of Law with respect to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.10. Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit . The Borrowers will use the proceeds of the Term Loans and any Revolving Loans drawn on the Effective Date, together with cash on hand of the Parent Borrower, on the Effective Date to pay a portion of the Transaction Costs (including any upfront fees payable in respect of the Term Loans on the Effective Date). The proceeds of the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans drawn after the Effective Date will be used only for general corporate purposes. Letters of Credit will be used only for general corporate purposes.

SECTION 5.11. Additional Subsidiaries . If any additional Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent is formed or acquired after the Effective Date, Holdings or the Parent Borrower will, within 30 days after such newly formed or acquired Restricted Subsidiary is formed or acquired, notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and all actions (if any) required to be taken with respect to such newly formed or acquired Subsidiary (unless such Subsidiary is an Excluded Subsidiary) in order to satisfy the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been taken with respect to such Subsidiary and with respect to any Equity Interest in or Indebtedness of such Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party within 30 days after such notice (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree).

SECTION 5.12. Further Assurances .

(a) Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will, and will cause each Loan Party to, execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents), that may be required under any applicable law and that the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request, to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be and remain satisfied, all at the expense of the Loan Parties.

(b) If, after the Effective Date, any material assets (including any owned (but not leased) real property or improvements thereto or any interest therein) with a fair market value in excess of $5,000,000, are acquired by the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party or are held by any Subsidiary on or after the time it

 

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becomes a Loan Party pursuant to Section 5.11 (other than assets constituting Collateral under a Security Document that become subject to the Lien created by such Security Document upon acquisition thereof or constituting Excluded Assets), the Parent Borrower will notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Parent Borrower will cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Secured Obligations and will take and cause the other Loan Parties to take, such actions as shall be necessary and reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (a) of this Section, all at the expense of the Loan Parties and subject to last paragraph of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”.

SECTION 5.13. Ratings . Each of Holdings and the Parent Borrower will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause (a) the Parent Borrower to continuously have a public corporate credit rating from each of S&P and Moody’s (but not to maintain a specific rating) and (b) the credit facilities made available under this Agreement to be continuously rated by each of S&P and Moody’s (but not to maintain a specific rating).

SECTION 5.14. Certain Post-Closing Obligations . As promptly as practicable, and in any event within the time periods after the Effective Date specified in Schedule 5.14 or such later date as the Administrative Agent reasonably agrees to in writing, including to reasonably accommodate circumstances unforeseen on the Effective Date, Holdings, the Parent Borrower and each other Loan Party shall deliver the documents or take the actions specified on Schedule 5.14 that would have been required to be delivered or taken on the Effective Date but for the proviso to Section 4.01(f), in each case except to the extent otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to its authority as set forth in the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”.

SECTION 5.15. Storage Monetization . Upon the occurrence of Monetization (A) if the Total Leverage Ratio at the time of Monetization is equal to or less than 2.45 to 1.00 after giving effect to the Transactions, then the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall receive cash (by means of a cash contribution to the common capital of the Parent Borrower and/or a repayment of debt owing to the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by Storage Parent or any of its subsidiaries) in an amount equal to the lesser of (y) the net cash proceeds of such disposition received by Target or any of its Affiliates (other than any of its subsidiaries) and (z) the outstanding amount of Storage Investments immediately prior to such time and (B) if the Total Leverage Ratio at the time of such disposition is greater than 2.45 to 1.00, then the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall receive cash (by means of a contribution to its common capital and/or the repayment of debt owing to the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary by Storage Parent or any of its subsidiaries) in an amount equal to the lesser of (y) the net cash proceeds of such disposition received by Target or any of its Affiliates (other than any of its subsidiaries) and (z) the outstanding amount of Storage Investments immediately prior to such time multiplied by two.

SECTION 5.16. Designation of Subsidiaries . The Parent Borrower may at any time after the Effective Date designate any Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower (other than the Co-Borrower) as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) immediately before and after such designation on a Pro Forma Basis, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Parent Borrower shall have a Total Leverage Ratio less than or equal to 3.5 to 1.0 on a Pro Forma Basis as of the end of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), and (iii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or continue as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it is a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of any Indebtedness of Holdings or the Parent Borrower. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Effective Date shall constitute an Investment by the Parent Borrower therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Parent Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) investment therein. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute (i) the incurrence at the time of designation of any Investment, Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time and (ii) a return on any Investment by the Parent Borrower in Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the preceding sentence in an amount equal to the fair market value at the date of such designation of the Parent Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment in such Subsidiary.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Unrestricted Subsidiary that has been re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary may not be subsequently re-designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

SECTION 5.17. Post-Restatement Effective Date Actions .

(a) The Borrowers shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain, as promptly as possible after the Restatement Effective Date, all necessary consents from BNDES for the granting and perfection of security interests by SMART Modular Technologies Industria de Componenentes Electronicos Ltds. (“ SMART Brazil IC ”) in favor of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) in respect of all machinery, equipment and intellectual property owned by SMART Brazil IC.

(b) The Borrowers shall (i) cause, within 45 days after obtaining the consent described in Section 5.17(a) (or by such later date as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree), SMART Brazil IC to enter into a pledge agreement (or an amendment to an existing pledge agreement), on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Parent Borrower, with the Administrative Agent in respect of machinery and equipment owned by SMART Brazil IC (the “ PPE Pledge Agreement ”); provided that the PPE Pledge Agreement shall expressly exclude up to $5 million of machinery and equipment of SMART Brazil IC from the security interest created thereby and (ii) use commercially reasonable best efforts to cause the PPE Pledge Agreement to be filed for registration with the applicable Governmental Authority promptly after execution thereof.

(c) The Borrowers shall cause, within 45 days after obtaining the consent described in Section 5.17(a) (or by such later date as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree), (i) SMART Brazil IC to enter into an amendment to the existing pledge agreement in respect of intellectual property of SMART Brazil IC (the “ IP Pledge Agreement ”), on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Parent Borrower, covering intellectual property acquired or established by SMART Brazil IC since the date of the IP Pledge Agreement and (ii) use commercially reasonable best efforts to cause such amendment to the IP Pledge Agreement to be filed for registration with the applicable Governmental Authority promptly after execution thereof.

(d) The Borrowers shall cause (i) by no later than January 14, 2017 (or such later date as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree), each Brazilian Subsidiary of Parent Borrower to enter into a pledge agreement, on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Parent Borrower, with the Administrative Agent in respect of cash and cash equivalents of such Subsidiary (other than any restricted cash or cash equivalents subject to the Lien described on Schedule 6.02) and (ii) by no later than February 28, 2017 (or such later date as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree), all bank accounts of such Brazilian Subsidiaries (other than any bank accounts that hold less than $1 million in the aggregate and any investment or bank account that holds only restricted cash and cash equivalents excluded from the security interest granted pursuant to the foregoing clause (i)) to be subject to control letters or agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Parent Borrower. It being understood and agreed that in no event shall such pledge agreements or control letters or agreements permit the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party to exercise remedies thereunder (including exercising control over cash and cash equivalents or bank accounts) prior to the earlier to occur of (A) the date that is 30 days after an Event of Default arising under Section 7.01(a) (which Event of Default has not yet been cured as of such date) or (B) the termination of Commitments and acceleration of Loans pursuant to Section 7.01 (whether in connection with an insolvency event or otherwise).

(e) The Borrowers shall cause (i) by no later than January 14, 2017 (or such later date as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree), SMART Brazil IC to enter into a pledge agreement, on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Parent Borrower, with the Administrative Agent in respect of inventory of such Subsidiary (the “ Inventory Pledge Agreement ”) and (ii) use commercially reasonable best efforts to cause the Inventory Pledge Agreement to be filed for registration with the applicable Governmental Authority promptly after execution thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is agreed that (A) the grant of security interests pursuant to the Inventory Pledge Agreement shall be limited to a grant with respect to each material product-family of SMART Brazil IC as identified and described on Schedule 5.17(e) and (B) the Inventory Pledge Agreement shall be filed for registration without any reference to the amount or value of the inventory pledged and in no event shall contain any operational covenants or other limitations with respect to the use, maintenance, storage or sale of such inventory except those applicable after and during the continuance of an Event of Default.

 

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(f) Not more than once per calendar year, commencing on November 30, 2017, the Borrowers shall cause SMART Brazil IC to enter into amendments to the (i) PPE Pledge Agreement and the IP Pledge Agreement in respect of any machinery and equipment and any intellectual property ( provided that such intellectual property is determined, in the reasonable judgement of the Administrative Agent, to be material to the business of SMART Brazil IC), as applicable, that has been acquired or established by SMART Brazil IC after November 30, 2016 and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendments to be filed for registration with the relevant Governmental Authority promptly thereafter and (ii) the Inventory Pledge Agreement in respect of any product family of inventory of SMART Brazil IC not covered by the Inventory Pledge Agreement that has been expanded or established by SMART Brazil IC after November 30, 2016 and is in commercial production (provided that such product family is determined, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, to be material to the business of SMART Brazil IC) and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendments to be filed for registration with the relevant Governmental Authority promptly thereafter.

ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts payable (other than contingent amounts not yet due) under any Loan Document have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired or been terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, each of Holdings and each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities .

(a) Holdings and the Parent Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(i) Indebtedness of Holdings, the Borrowers and any of the other Restricted Subsidiaries under the Loan Documents (including any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 2.21);

(ii) Indebtedness (A) outstanding on the Restatement Effective Date and listed on Schedule 6.01 and any Permitted Refinancing thereof and (B) intercompany Indebtedness outstanding on the Restatement Effective Date and listed on Schedule 6.01 ;

(iii) Guarantees by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that such Guarantee is otherwise permitted by Section 6.04; provided further that (A) no Guarantee by any Restricted Subsidiary of any Junior Financing shall be permitted unless such Restricted Subsidiary shall have also provided a Guarantee of the Loan Document Obligations pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement and (B) if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to the Loan Document Obligations, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the Guarantee of the Loan Document Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the subordination of such Indebtedness;

(iv) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower owing to any Restricted Subsidiary or of any Restricted Subsidiary owing to any other Restricted Subsidiary or the Parent Borrower, Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to the extent permitted by Section 6.04; provided that all such Indebtedness of any Loan Party owing to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated to the Loan Document Obligations (to the extent any such Indebtedness is outstanding at any time after the date that is 30 days after the Effective Date or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree) (but only to the extent permitted by applicable law and not giving rise to material adverse Tax consequences) on terms (i) at least as favorable to the Lenders as those set forth in the form of intercompany note attached as Exhibit J or (ii) otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

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(v) [Intentionally Omitted];

(vi) Indebtedness in respect of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;

(vii) [Intentionally Omitted];

(viii) [Intentionally Omitted.]

(ix) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(x) [Intentionally Omitted];

(xi) [Intentionally Omitted];

(xii) [Intentionally Omitted];

(xiii) Cash Management Obligations and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and similar arrangements, in each case, in connection with deposit accounts;

(xiv) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that at the time of the incurrence thereof and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto and the use of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding in reliance on this clause (xiv) shall not exceed $5,000,000;

(xv) Indebtedness consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(xvi) Indebtedness incurred by the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims;

(xvii) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments related thereto, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(xviii) [Intentionally Omitted];

(xix) [Intentionally Omitted];

(xx) Indebtedness supported by a Letter of Credit, in a principal amount not to exceed the face amount of such Letter of Credit;

(xxi) Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt, and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(xxii) Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt and Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt, and any Permitted Refinancing thereof,

 

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(xxiii) Indebtedness arising from a Permitted Receivables Factoring transaction in effect as of the Restatement Effective Date (and, subject to the definition of “Permitted Receivables Factoring”, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension thereof);

(xxiv) all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (i) through (xxii) above; and

(xxv) the accrual of up to $1,000,000 in any calendar year in respect of management and monitoring fees owed and payable to the Investors (or management companies of the Investors) pursuant to the Investor Management Agreement and any Investor Termination Fees, in each case, prohibited under Section 6.09 to be paid for any period on or after June, 2016.

(b) Holdings and each Intermediate Parent will not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness except Indebtedness created under Sections 6.01(a)(i), (iii), (iv), (vi), (ix) and (xiii), and all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in the foregoing clauses.

(c) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, issue any preferred Equity Interests or any Disqualified Equity Interests, except (A) in the case of Holdings, preferred Equity Interests that are Qualified Equity Interests and (B) in the case of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent, preferred Equity Interests issued to and held by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

SECTION 6.02. Liens . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

(i) Liens created under the Loan Documents;

(ii) Permitted Encumbrances;

(iii) Liens existing on the Restatement Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.02 and any modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (A) such modified, replacement, renewal or extension Lien does not extend to any additional property other than (1) after acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien and (2) proceeds and products thereof, and (B) the obligations secured or benefited by such modified, replacement, renewal or extension Lien are permitted by Section 6.01;

(iv) [Intentionally Omitted];

(v) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to others that do not (A) interfere in any material respect with the business of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (B) secure any Indebtedness;

(vi) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(vii) Liens (A) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection and (B) in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of setoff) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(viii) [Intentionally Omitted];

 

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(ix) [Intentionally Omitted];

(x) Liens granted by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in favor of any Loan Party and Liens granted by a Loan Party in favor of any other Loan Party;

(xi) [Intentionally Omitted];

(xii) any interest or title of a lessor under leases (other than leases constituting Capital Lease Obligations) entered into by any of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(xiii) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods by any of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(xiv) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements under clause (e) of the definition of the term “Permitted Investments”;

(xv) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(xvi) Liens that are contractual rights of setoff (A) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness, (B) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (C) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(xvii) ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries are located;

(xviii) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

(xix) Liens on the Collateral securing Permitted First Priority Refinancing Debt and Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Debt;

(xx) other Liens; provided that at the time of the granting of and after giving Pro Forma Effect to any such Lien and the obligations secured thereby (including the use of proceeds thereof) the aggregate face amount of obligations secured by Liens existing in reliance on this clause (xx) shall not exceed $5,000,000; and

(xxi) Liens arising from UCC financing statements or similar filings evidencing the sales of accounts receivable and related assets pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Factoring transaction in effect as of the Restatement Effective Date (and, subject to the definition of “Permitted Receivables Factoring”, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension thereof).

SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes; Holding Companies .

(a) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, merge into or consolidate or amalgamate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except that:

 

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(i) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge with (A) the Parent Borrower; provided that the Parent Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (B) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more other Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that when any Restricted Subsidiary Loan Party is merging or amalgamating with another Restricted Subsidiary (1) the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Subsidiary Loan Party or (2) if the continuing or surviving Person is not a Subsidiary Loan Party, the acquisition of such Subsidiary Loan Party by such surviving Restricted Subsidiary is otherwise permitted under Section 6.04;

(ii) (A) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (B) any Restricted Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve or change its legal form if Holdings determines in good faith that such action is in the best interests of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders;

(iii) any Restricted Subsidiary may make a Disposition of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Loan Party, then (A) the transferee must be a Loan Party, (B) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment must be a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 6.04 or (C) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition is for fair value and any promissory note or other non-cash consideration received in respect thereof is a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 6.04;

(iv) the Parent Borrower may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with any other Person; provided that (A) the Parent Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (B) if the Person formed by or surviving any such merger or consolidation is not the Parent Borrower (any such Person, the “ Successor Borrower ”), (1) the Successor Borrower shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, (2) the Successor Borrower shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Parent Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Parent Borrower is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (3) each Loan Party other than the Parent Borrower, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have reaffirmed, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that its Guarantee of, and grant of any Liens as security for, the Secured Obligations shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and (4) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such merger, amalgamation or consolidation complies with this Agreement; provided further that (y) if such Person is not a Loan Party, no Default exists after giving effect to such merger or consolidation and (z) if the foregoing requirements are satisfied, the Successor Borrower will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Parent Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided further that the Parent Borrower agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide any documentation and other information about the Successor Borrower as shall have been reasonably requested in writing by any Lender through the Administrative Agent that such Lender shall have reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA Patriot Act;

(v) Holdings or any Intermediate Parent may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with any other Person, so long as no Event of Default exists after giving effect to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation; provided that (A) Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (B) if the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, amalgamation or consolidation is not Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, or is a Person into which Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, has been liquidated (any such Person, the “ Successor Holdings ”), (1) the Successor Holdings shall expressly assume all the obligations of Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Holdings or Intermediate Parent,

 

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as applicable, is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (2) each Loan Party other than Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, unless it is the other party to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, shall have reaffirmed, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that its Guarantee of and grant of any Liens as security for the Secured Obligations shall apply to the Successor Holdings’ obligations under this Agreement, (3) the Successor Holdings shall, immediately following such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, directly or indirectly own all Subsidiaries owned by Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, immediately prior to such transaction, (4) Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such merger or consolidation complies with this Agreement and (5) Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, may not merge, amalgamate or consolidate with the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor or Co-Borrower if any Permitted Holdings Debt is then outstanding unless the Total Leverage Ratio is equal to or less than 3.50 to 1.00 on a Pro Forma Basis; provided further that if the foregoing requirements are satisfied, the Successor Holdings will succeed to, and be substituted for, Holdings or Intermediate Parent, as applicable, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided further that the Parent Borrower agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide any documentation and other information about the Successor Holdings as shall have been reasonably requested in writing by any the Lender through the Administrative Agent that such Lender shall have reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA Patriot Act.

(vi) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with any other Person in order to effect an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 6.04; provided that the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Restricted Subsidiary, which together with each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, shall have complied with the requirements of Sections 5.11 and 5.12 and if the other party to such transaction is not a Loan Party, no Default exists after giving effect to such transaction;

(vii) Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may consummate the Acquisition; and

(viii) any Restricted Subsidiary may effect a merger, dissolution, liquidation consolidation or amalgamation to effect a Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 6.05; provided that if the other party to such transaction is not a Loan Party, no Default exists after giving effect to the transaction.

(b) The Parent Borrower will not, and Holdings and the Parent Borrower will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Effective Date and businesses reasonably related or ancillary thereto.

(c) Holdings and any Intermediate Parent will not conduct, transact or otherwise engage in any business or operations other than (i) the ownership and/or acquisition of the Equity Interests of the Parent Borrower and any Intermediate Parent, (ii) the maintenance of its legal existence, including the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses relating to such maintenance, (iii) participating in tax, accounting and other administrative matters as a member of the consolidated group of Holdings and the Parent Borrower, (iv) the performance of its obligations under and in connection with the Loan Documents, any documentation governing any Indebtedness or Guarantee permitted to be incurred or made by it under Article VI, the Acquisition Agreement, the other agreements contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby and thereby, (v) any public offering of its common stock or any other issuance or registration of its Equity Interests for sale or resale not prohibited by this Agreement, including the costs, fees and expenses related thereto, (vi) any transaction that Holdings or any Intermediate Parent is permitted to enter into or consummate under Article VI (including, but not limited to, the making of any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.08 or holding of any cash or Permitted Investments received in connection with Restricted Payments made in accordance with Section 6.08 pending application thereof in the manner contemplated by Section 6.04, the incurrence of any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by it under Section 6.01 and the making of any Investment permitted to be made by it under Section 6.04),

 

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(vii) incurring fees, costs and expenses relating to overhead and general operating including professional fees for legal, tax and accounting issues and paying taxes, (viii) providing indemnification to officers and directors and as otherwise permitted in Section 6.09, (ix) activities incidental to the consummation of the Transactions and (x) activities incidental to the businesses or activities described in clauses (i) to (ix) of this paragraph.

(d) Holdings and any Intermediate Parent will not own or acquire any assets (other than Equity Interests as referred to in paragraph (c)(i) above, cash, Permitted Investments, intercompany Investments consisting of Indebtedness permitted to be made by it under Section 6.04 or incur any liabilities (other than liabilities as referred to in paragraph (c) above, liabilities imposed by law, including tax liabilities, and other liabilities incidental to its existence and business and activities permitted by this Agreement).

SECTION 6.04. Investments , Loans , Advances , Guarantees and Acquisitions . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, make or hold any Investment, except:

(a) Permitted Investments;

(b) loans or advances to officers, directors and employees of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for reasonable and customary business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes;

(c) Investments (i) by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Loan Party (excluding any new Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Loan Party pursuant to such Investment), (ii) by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in any other Restricted Subsidiary that is also not a Loan Party, (iii) by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (A) in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, constituting an exchange of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary for Indebtedness of such Subsidiary or (B) constituting Guarantees of Indebtedness or other monetary obligations of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties owing to any Loan Party, (iv) by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties so long as such transactions is part of a series of simultaneous transactions that result in the proceeds of the initial Investment being invested in one or more Loan Parties (or, if the initial proceeds were held at a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and (v) by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, consisting of the contribution of Equity Interests of any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party so long as the Equity Interests of the transferee Restricted Subsidiary is pledged to secure the Secured Obligations;

(d) Investments consisting of extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;

(e) Investments (i) existing or contemplated on the Restatement Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.04 ( e ) and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension thereof and (ii) Investments existing on the Restatement Effective Date by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and any modification, renewal or extension thereof; provided that the amount of the original Investment is not increased except by the terms of such Investment to the extent as set forth on Schedule 6.04 ( e ) or as otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04;

(f) Investments in Swap Agreements permitted under Section 6.07;

(g) promissory notes and other non-cash consideration received in connection with Dispositions permitted by Section 6.05;

(h) [Intentionally Omitted];

(i) the Transactions;

 

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(j) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Uniform Commercial Code Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

(k) Investments (including debt obligations and Equity Interests) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers or in settlement of delinquent obligations of, or other disputes with, customers and suppliers or upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment;

(l) loans and advances to Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any Intermediate Parent in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments to the extent permitted to be made to Holdings (or such parent) in accordance with Section 6.08(a)(iv) or (vi);

(m) [Intentionally Omitted];

(n) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;

(o) [Intentionally Omitted];

(p) [Intentionally Omitted];

(q) [Intentionally Omitted]; and

(r) non-cash Investments in connection with tax planning and reorganization activities; provided that after giving effect to any such activities, the security interests of the Lenders in the Collateral, taken as a whole, would not be materially impaired.

SECTION 6.05. Asset Sales . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent, to, (i) sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it or (ii) permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Restricted Subsidiary (other than issuing directors’ qualifying shares, nominal shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Requirements of Law and other than issuing Equity Interests to Holdings, the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in compliance with Section 6.04(c)) (each, a “ Disposition ”), except:

(a) Dispositions of obsolete or worn out property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business and Dispositions of property no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(b) Dispositions of inventory and other assets in the ordinary course of business;

(c) Dispositions of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;

(d) Dispositions of property to the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Loan Party, then (i) the transferee must be a Loan Party, (ii) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment must be a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 6.04 or (iii) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition is for fair value and any promissory note or other non-cash consideration received in respect thereof is a permitted investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 6.04;

 

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(e) Dispositions permitted by Section 6.03, Investments permitted by Section 6.04, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08 and Liens permitted by Section 6.02;

(f) Dispositions of property acquired by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Effective Date pursuant to sale-leaseback transactions permitted by Section 6.06;

(g) Dispositions of Permitted Investments;

(h) Dispositions of accounts receivable (A) in connection with the collection or compromise thereof and (B) together with related assets pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Factoring;

(i) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses, in each case in the ordinary course of business and that do not materially interfere with the business of Holdings, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(j) transfers of property subject to Casualty Events upon receipt of the Net Proceeds of such Casualty Event;

(k) Dispositions of property to Persons other than Restricted Subsidiaries (including the sale or issuance of Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary) not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.05; provided that (i) no Default shall exist at the time of, or would result from, such Disposition (other than any such Disposition made pursuant to a legally binding commitment entered into at a time when no Default existed or would have resulted from such Disposition) and (ii) with respect to any Disposition pursuant to this clause (k), the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary shall receive all of such consideration in the form of cash or Permitted Investments; provided , however , that for the purposes of this clause (ii), (A) any liabilities (as shown on the most recent balance sheet of Holdings provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations, that are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable Disposition and for which Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and all of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing, shall be deemed to be cash and (B) any securities received by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Permitted Investments (to the extent of the cash or Permitted Investments received) within 180 days following the closing of the applicable Disposition, shall be deemed to be cash;

(l) Dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements; and

(m) Disposition of assets constituting a part of the Storage Business to Storage Parent or any of its subsidiaries in connection with the transition of the Storage Business to stand-alone operations, in each case on or before the date that is two months after the Effective Date;

provided that any Disposition of any property pursuant to this Section 6.05 (except pursuant to Sections 6.05(e), 6.05(m) and except for Dispositions by a Loan Party to another Loan Party), shall be for no less than the fair market value of such property at the time of such Disposition; provided further that notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.05 or Section 6.09 to the contrary, neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent, to make any Dispositions of property to an Affiliate thereof.

SECTION 6.06. Sale and Leaseback Transactions . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now

 

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owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred, except for any such sale of any fixed or capital assets by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the fair value of such fixed or capital asset and is consummated within 270 days after the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, acquires or completes the construction of such fixed or capital asset; provided that, if such sale and leaseback results in a Capital Lease Obligation, such Capital Lease Obligation is permitted by Section 6.01 and any Lien made the subject of such Capital Lease Obligation is permitted by Section 6.02.

SECTION 6.07. Swap Agreements . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has actual exposure (other than those in respect of shares of capital stock or other Equity Interests of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

SECTION 6.08. Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness .

(a) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:

(i) each Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Parent Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

(ii) Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the Equity Interests of such Person; provided that in the case of any such Restricted Payment by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower, such Restricted Payment is made to the Parent Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary based on their relative ownership interests of the relevant class of Equity Interests;

(iii) Restricted Payments made on the Effective Date to consummate the Transactions;

(iv) repurchases of Equity Interests in Holdings (or Restricted Payments by Holdings to allow repurchases of Equity Interest in any direct or indirect parent of Holdings), the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

(v) [Intentionally Omitted];

(vi) any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments in cash to SMART Global Holdings, Inc., Holdings and any Intermediate Parent and, where applicable, Holdings and such Intermediate Parent may make Restricted Payments in cash in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 after the Restatement Effective Date and prior to the first anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date and $200,000 for each year thereafter;

(A) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to pay its Tax liability to the relevant jurisdiction in respect of consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated returns attributable to the income of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided that Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (a)(vi)(A) shall not exceed the Tax liability that the Parent Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries (as applicable) would have incurred were such Taxes determined as if such entity(ies) were a stand-alone taxpayer or a stand-alone group; and provided, further, that Restricted Payments under this clause (A) in respect of any Taxes attributable to the income of any Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower may be made only to the extent that such Unrestricted Subsidiaries have made cash payments for such purpose to Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(B) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to pay) its operating expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and other corporate overhead costs and expenses (including administrative, legal, accounting and similar expenses payable to third parties) that are reasonable and customary and incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(C) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to pay) franchise Taxes and other fees, Taxes, and expenses, required to maintain its corporate existence;

(D) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings to make Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08(a)(iv);

(E) [Intentionally Omitted]; and

(F) the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any Intermediate Parent to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) fees and expenses related to any equity or debt offering permitted by this Agreement; and

(vii) redemptions in whole or in part of any of its Equity Interests for another class of its Equity Interests or with proceeds from substantially concurrent equity contributions or issuances of new Equity Interests; provided that such new Equity Interests contain terms and provisions at least as advantageous to the Lenders in all respects material to their interests as those contained in the Equity Interests redeemed thereby.

(b) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any other Restricted Subsidiary to, make or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on any Junior Financing, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Junior Financing, or any other payment (including any payment under any Swap Agreement) that has a substantially similar effect to any of the foregoing, except:

(i) payment of regularly scheduled interest and principal payments as, in the form of payment and when due in respect of any Indebtedness, other than payments in respect of any Junior Financing prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof; and

(ii) the conversion of any Junior Financing to Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of Holdings or any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any Intermediate Parent.

SECTION 6.09. Transactions with Affiliates . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (i) transactions with Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any Intermediate Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) on terms substantially as favorable to Holdings, the Parent Borrower, such Intermediate Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary as would be obtainable by such Person at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, (iii) the payment of fees and expenses related to the Transactions, (iv) [intentionally omitted], (v) issuances of Equity Interests of Holdings or the Parent Borrower to the extent otherwise permitted by this Agreement, (vi) employment and severance arrangements between Holdings, the Parent Borrower any Intermediate Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective

 

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officers and employees in the ordinary course of business or otherwise in connection with the Transactions (including loans and advances pursuant to Section 6.04(n)), (vii) payments by Holdings (and any direct or indirect parent thereof), the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing agreements among Holdings (and any such parent thereof), any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on customary terms to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent payments are permitted by Section 6.08, (viii) the payment of customary fees and reasonable out-of-pocket costs to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, directors, officers and employees of Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any Intermediate Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (ix) transactions pursuant to permitted agreements in existence or contemplated on the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.09 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not adverse to the Lenders in any material respect, (x) Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.08 and (xi) customary payments by Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiaries to the Sponsors made for any financial advisory, consulting, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities (including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures), which payments are approved by the majority of the members of the board of directors or a majority of the disinterested members of the board of directors of Holdings in good faith. The payment of management and monitoring fees to the Investors (or management companies of the Investors) pursuant to the Investor Management Agreement and any Investor Termination Fees for any period on or after June, 2016 shall be prohibited; provided that such prohibition shall remain in effect only so long as any Term Loans are outstanding.

SECTION 6.10. Restrictive Agreements . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary Loan Party to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets to secure the Secured Obligations or (b) the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to any Restricted Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) shall not apply to any such restrictions that (i) (x) exist on the Effective Date and (to the extent not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.10) are listed on Schedule 6.10 and (y) any renewal or extension of a restriction permitted by clause (i)(x) or any agreement evidencing such restriction so long as such renewal or extension does not expand the scope of such restrictions, (ii) (x) are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such restrictions were not entered into solely in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (y) any renewal or extension of a restriction permitted by clause (ii)(x) or any agreement evidencing such restriction so long as such renewal or extension does not expand the scope of such restrictions, (iii) represent Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party that is permitted by Section 6.01, (iv) are customary restrictions that arise in connection with any Disposition permitted by Section 6.05 applicable pending such Disposition solely to the assets subject to such Disposition, (v) are customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures permitted under Section 6.04, (vi) are negative pledges and restrictions on Liens in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 but solely to the extent any negative pledge relates to the property financed by or securing such Indebtedness (and excluding in any event any Indebtedness constituting any Junior Financing), (vii) are imposed by Requirements of Law, (viii) are customary restrictions contained in leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions relate only to the assets subject thereto, (ix) [intentionally omitted], (x) are customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of Holdings, any Intermediate Parent, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (xi) are customary provisions restricting assignment of any license, lease or other agreement, (xii) are restrictions on cash (or Permitted Investments) or deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business (or otherwise constituting Permitted Encumbrances on such cash or Permitted Investments or deposits) or (xiii) are customary net worth provisions contained in real property leases or licenses of Intellectual Property entered into by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the Parent Borrower has determined in good faith that such net worth provisions could not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Parent Borrower and its subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligation.

 

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SECTION 6.11. Amendment of Junior Financing . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, amend, modify, waive, terminate or release the documentation governing any other Junior Financing, in each case if the effect of such amendment, modification, waiver, termination or release is materially adverse to the Lenders.

SECTION 6.12. Financial Covenants .

(a) If on the last day of any Test Period any Revolving Loans or more than $1,000,000 of Letters of Credit are outstanding (but not including any cash collateralized Letter of Credit exposure), the Parent Borrower will not permit the Secured Net Leverage Ratio to exceed 4.50 to 1.00 as of the last day of such Test Period.

(b) Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will, nor will they permit any Restricted Subsidiary or Intermediate Parent to, incur or make any Capital Expenditures in excess of $20,000,000 in any four consecutive fiscal quarter period.

SECTION 6.13. Changes in Fiscal Periods . Neither Holdings nor the Parent Borrower will make any change in fiscal year; provided , however , that Holdings and the Parent Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, change its fiscal year to any other fiscal year reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in which case, Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary to reflect such change in fiscal year.

ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

SECTION 7.01. Events of Default . If any of the following events (any such event, an “ Event of Default ”) shall occur:

(a) any Loan Party shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b) any Loan Party shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than in amount referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section) payable under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

(d) Holding, the Parent Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Sections 5.02, 5.04 (with respect to the existence of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary), 5.10 or in Article VI (other than Section 6.09); provided that (i) any Event of Default under Sections 6.12(a) is subject to cure as provided in Section 7.02 and an Event of Default with respect to such Section shall not occur until the expiration of the 10th day subsequent to the date the financial statements with respect to any fiscal quarter is required to be delivered and (ii) a default by the Borrower under Section 6.12(a) shall not constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Term Loans unless and until the Required Lenders with respect to the Revolving Loans

 

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shall have terminated their Revolving Commitments and declared all amounts under the Revolving Loans to be due and payable (such period commencing with a default under Section 6.12(a) and ending on the date on which the Required Lenders with respect to the Revolving Facility terminate and accelerate the Revolving Loans, the “ Term Loan Standstill Period ”);

(e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (d) of this Section), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Parent Borrower;

(f) Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable (after giving effect to any applicable grace period);

(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity, provided that this paragraph (g) shall not apply to (i) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the sale, transfer or other disposition (including as a result of a casualty or condemnation event) of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (to the extent such sale, transfer or other disposition is not prohibited under this Agreement) or (ii) termination events or similar events occurring under any Swap Agreement that constitutes Material Indebtedness (it being understood that paragraph (f) of this Section will apply to any failure to make any payment required as a result of any such termination or similar event);

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, court protection, reorganization or other relief in respect of Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or its debts, or of a material part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, examiner, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or for a material part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed or unstayed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i) Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, court protection, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in paragraph (h) of this Section, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, examiner, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or for a material part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding or (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

(j) one or more enforceable judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $15,000,000 (to the extent not covered by insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment or order and has not denied coverage shall be rendered against Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any judgment creditor shall legally attach or levy upon assets of such Loan Party that are material to the businesses and operations of Holdings, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to enforce any such judgment;

 

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(k) (i) an ERISA Event occurs that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party under Title N of ERISA in an aggregate amount that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(l) any Lien purported to be created under any Security Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by any Loan Party not to be, a valid and perfected Lien on any material portion of the Collateral, with the priority required by the applicable Security Document, except (i) as a result of the sale or other disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents, (ii) as a result of the Administrative Agent’s failure to (A) maintain possession of any stock certificates, promissory notes or other instruments delivered to it under the Security Documents or (B) file Uniform Commercial Code continuation statements, (iii) as to Collateral consisting of real property to the extent that such losses are covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and such insurer has not denied coverage or (iv) as a result of acts or omissions of the Administrative Agent or any Lender;

(m) any material provision of any Loan Document or any Guarantee of the Loan Document Obligations shall for any reason be asserted by any Loan Party not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of any Loan Party thereto other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder;

(n) any Guarantees of the Loan Document Obligations by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or Subsidiary Loan Party pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement shall cease to be in full force and effect (in each case, other than in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents);

(o) a Change in Control shall occur;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to Holdings or the Parent Borrower described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders (or, if a Financial Performance Covenant Event of Default occurs and is continuing and prior to the expiration of the Term Loan Standstill Period, at the request of the Required Revolving Lenders only, and in such case only with respect to the Revolving Commitments, Swingline Commitments, and any Letters of Credit) shall, by notice to the Parent Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Parent Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Parent Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to Holdings or the Parent Borrower described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Parent Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Parent Borrower.

SECTION 7.02. Right to Cure .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 7.01, in the event that the Parent Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries fail to comply with the requirements of the Financial Performance Covenant as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower, at any time after the beginning of such fiscal quarter until the expiration of the 10th day subsequent to the earlier of (i) the date on which a Compliance Certificate with respect to such fiscal quarter (or the fiscal year ended on the last day of such fiscal quarter) is delivered in accordance with Section 5.01(d) and (ii) the date on which the financial statements with respect to such fiscal quarter (or the fiscal year ended on the last day of such fiscal quarter) are required to be delivered pursuant to

 

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Section 5.01(a) or (b), as applicable, Holdings shall have the right to issue Qualified Equity Interests for cash or otherwise receive cash contributions to the capital of Holdings as cash common equity or other Qualified Equity Interests (which Holdings shall contribute through its subsidiaries of which the Parent Borrower is a subsidiary to the Borrower as cash common equity) (collectively, the “ Cure Right ”), and upon the receipt by the Parent Borrower of the Net Proceeds of such issuance (the “ Cure Amount ”) pursuant to the exercise by Holdings of such Cure Right such Financial Performance Covenant shall be recalculated giving effect to the following pro forma adjustment:

(1) Consolidated EBITDA shall be increased with respect to such applicable fiscal quarter and any four fiscal quarter period that contains such fiscal quarter, solely for the purpose of measuring the Financial Performance Covenant and not for any other purpose under this Agreement, by an amount equal to the Cure Amount; and

(2) if, after giving effect to the foregoing pro forma adjustment (without giving effect to any repayment of any Indebtedness with any portion of the Cure Amount or any portion of the Cure Amount on the balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, with respect to such fiscal quarter only), the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall then be in compliance with the requirements of the Financial Performance Covenants, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of the Financial Performance Covenant as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of the Financial Performance Covenant that had occurred shall be deemed cured for the purposes of this Agreement;

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) in each four consecutive fiscal quarter period of the Parent Borrower there shall be at least two fiscal quarters in which the Cure Right is not exercised, (ii) during the term of this Agreement, the Cure Right shall not be exercised more than five times and (iii) for purposes of this Section 7.02, the Cure Amount shall be no greater than the amount required for purposes of complying with the Financial Performance Covenant and any amounts in excess thereof shall not be deemed to be a Cure Amount. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Cure Amount received pursuant to any exercise of the Cure Right shall be disregarded for purposes of determining any financial ratio-based conditions, pricing or any available basket under Article VI of this Agreement and there shall not have been a breach of any covenant under Article VI of this Agreement by reason of having no longer included such Cure Amount in any basket during the relevant period.

SECTION 7.03. Application of Proceeds . After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 7.01, any amounts received on account of the Secured Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 4.02 of the Collateral Agreement and/or the similar provisions in the other Security Documents.

ARTICLE VIII

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as Administrative Agent in the heading of this Agreement to serve as administrative agent, collateral agent and trustee under the Loan Documents, and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and none of Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any such provisions.

The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender or an Issuing Bank as any other Lender or Issuing Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

 

 

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The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or to exercise any discretionary power, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any other Subsidiary or any other Affiliate of any of the foregoing that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 2.05(j) or Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by Holdings, the Parent Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Bank, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or satisfaction of any condition that expressly refers to the matters described therein being acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not have any liability arising from any confirmation of the Revolving Exposure or the component amounts thereof.

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person (including, if applicable, a Responsible Officer or Financial Officer of such Person). The Administrative Agent also may rely, and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person (including, if applicable, a Financial Officer or a Responsible Officer of such Person). The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Parent Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

The Administrative Agent may perform any of and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any of and all their duties and exercise their rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

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Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign upon 30 days’ notice to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Parent Borrower. If the Administrative Agent becomes a Defaulting Lender and is not performing its role hereunder as Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may be removed as the Administrative Agent hereunder at the request of the Parent Borrower and the Required Lenders. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation or upon such removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the Parent Borrower’s consent, to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be an Approved Bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such Approved Bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by Holdings and the Parent Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

Each Lender and each Issuing Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Joint Bookrunner or any other Lender or any Issuing Bank, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Joint Bookrunner or any other Lender or any Issuing Bank, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement and funding its Loans on the Effective Date, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or Refinancing Amendment pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders on the Effective Date.

No Lender shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce any Guarantee of the Secured Obligations, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders in accordance with the terms thereof. In the event of a foreclosure by the Administrative Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition, and the Administrative Agent, as agent for and representative of the Lenders (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders at such sale or other disposition. Each Lender, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral and of the Guarantees of the Secured Obligations, to have agreed to the foregoing provisions.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither any Joint Bookrunner nor any Person named on the cover page of this Agreement as a Joint Lead Arranger or a Syndication Agent shall have any duties or obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except in its capacity, as applicable, as a Lender or an Issuing Bank), but all such Persons shall have the benefit of the indemnities provided for hereunder, including under Section 9.03, fully as if named as an indemnitee or indemnified person therein and irrespective of whether the indemnified losses, claims, damages, liabilities and/or related expenses arise out of, in connection with or as a result of matters arising prior to, on or after the effective date of any Loan Document.

 

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To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. Without limiting or expanding the provisions of Section 2.17, each Lender shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent against, and shall make payable in respect thereof within 30 days after demand therefor, any and all Taxes and any and all related losses, claims, liabilities and expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent) incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority as a result of the failure of the Administrative Agent to properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including, without limitation, because the appropriate form was not delivered or not property executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of withholding tax ineffective). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due the Administrative Agent under this paragraph. The agreements in this paragraph shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other obligations under any Loan Document.

Each party to this Agreement hereby appoints the Administrative Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the relevant Security Documents, acknowledges that the Administrative Agent is the beneficiary of the parallel debt referred to in the relevant Security Documents and the Administrative Agent will accept the parallel debt arrangements reflected in the relevant Security Documents on its behalf and will enter into the relevant Security Documents as pledgee in its own name.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.01. Notices . All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier services, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax or other electronic transmission, as follows:

(a) If to Holdings, to c/o SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., 39870 Eureka Drive, Newark, California, 94560-4809, Attention: Bruce Goldberg, Fax 510-624-8231, Email: bruce.goldberg@smartm.com or if to the Parent Borrower, to SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., 39870 Eureka Drive, Newark, California, 94560-4809, Attention: Bruce Goldberg, Fax 510-624- 8231, Email: bruce.goldberg@smartm.com;

(b) If to the Administrative Agent, to Barclays Bank PLC, Bank Debt Management Group, 745 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, Attn: Christopher R. Lee, Tel: (212) 526-0732, Fax: (212) 220-9646, Email: christopher.r.lee@barclays.com;

(c) if to any Issuing Bank, to it at its address (or fax number or email address) most recently specified by it in a notice delivered to the Administrative Agent, Holdings and the Parent Borrower (or, in the absence of any such notice, to the address (or fax number or email address) set forth in the Administrative Questionnaire of the Lender that is serving as such Issuing Bank or is an Affiliate thereof);

(d) if to any Swingline Lenders, to it at its address (or fax number or email address) most recently specified by it in a notice delivered to the Administrative Agent, Holdings and the Parent Borrower (or, in the absence of any such notice, to the address (or fax number or email address) set forth in the Administrative Questionnaire of the Lender that is serving as such Swingline Lender or is an Affiliate thereof); and

(e) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or fax number or email address) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

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Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by fax or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient).

Holdings and the Parent Borrower may change their address, email or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may change its address, email or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to Holdings and the Parent Borrower and the Lenders may change their address, email or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Administrative Agent. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereunder may also be delivered or furnished by electronic transmission (including email and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to Article II if such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic transmission.

SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments .

(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time. No notice or demand on the Borrower or Holdings in any case shall entitle the Borrower or Holdings to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) Except as provided in Section 2.21 with respect to any Refinancing Amendment, neither any Loan Document nor any provision thereof may be waived, amended or modified except, in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Required Lenders or, in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto, in each case with the consent of the Required Lenders, provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender (it being understood that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02 or the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Commitment of any Lender), (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that any change to the definition of Secured Leverage Ratio or in the component definitions thereof shall not constitute a reduction of interest or fees), provided that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to waive any obligation of the Parent Borrower to pay default interest pursuant to Section 2.13(c), (iii) postpone the maturity of any Loan, or the date of any scheduled amortization payment of the principal amount of any Term Loan under Section 2.10 or the applicable Refinancing Amendment, or the reimbursement date with respect to any LC Disbursement, or any date for the payment of any interest or fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written

 

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consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of the Lenders holding a Majority in Interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of each adversely affected Class, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, provided that any such change which is in favor of a Class of Lenders holding Loans maturing after the maturity of other Classes of Lenders (and only takes effect after the maturity of such other Classes of Loans or Commitments will require the written consent of the Required Lenders with respect to each Class directly and adversely affected thereby, (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section or the percentage set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (or each Lender of such Class, as the case may be), (vii) release all or substantially all the value of the Guarantees under the Guarantee Agreement (except as expressly provided in the Guarantee Agreement) without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender), (viii) release all or substantially all the Collateral from the Liens of the Security Documents, without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) (except as expressly provided in the Security Documents), (ix) change any provisions of any Loan Document in a manner that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of payments due to Lenders holding Loans of any Class differently than those holding Loans of any other Class, without the written consent of Lenders (other than a Defaulting Lender) holding a Majority in Interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of each affected Class, (x) modify the protections afforded to an SPV pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.04(e) without the written consent of such SPV or (xi) change the rights of the Term Lenders to decline mandatory prepayments as provided in Section 2.11 or the rights of any Additional Lenders of any Class to decline mandatory prepayments of Term Loans of such Class as provided in the applicable Refinancing Amendment, without the written consent of a Majority in Interest of the Term Lenders or Additional Lenders of such Class, as applicable; provided further that (A) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Swingline Lender, as the case may be, and (B) any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be amended by an agreement in writing entered into by Holdings, the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency so long as, in each case, the Lenders shall have received at least five Business Days’ prior written notice thereof and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date of such notice to the Lenders, a written notice from the Required Lenders stating that the Required Lenders object to such amendment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent, Holdings and the Parent Borrower (i) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (ii) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Lenders prior to such inclusion, (b) guarantees, collateral security documents and related documents executed by Foreign Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement may be in a form reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and may be, together with this Agreement, amended and waived with the consent of the Administrative Agent at the request of the Parent Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any other Lender if such amendment or waiver is delivered in order (i) to comply with local law or advice of local counsel, (ii) to cure ambiguities or defects or (iii) to cause such guarantee, collateral security document or other document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (c) this Agreement and other Loan Documents may be amended or supplemented by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Loan Party as to which such agreement or agreements is to apply, without the need to obtain the consent of any Lender, to include “parallel debt” or similar provisions, and any authorizations or granting of powers by the Lenders and the other Secured Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent, in each case required to create in favor of the Administrative Agent any security interest contemplated to be created under this Agreement, or to perfect any such security interest, where the Administrative Agent shall have been advised by its counsel that such provisions are necessary or advisable under local law for such purpose (with Holdings and the Parent Borrower hereby agreeing to, and to cause their subsidiaries to, enter into any such agreement or agreements upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent promptly upon such request). Notwithstanding the foregoing (x) amendments to or waivers of Section 6.12(a) (or any component definition

 

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thereof as it relates to Section 6.12(a)) will require only the written approval of a Majority in Interest of the outstanding Revolving Commitments and the Parent Borrower and (y) any change to the provisions of Section 4.02 of the Collateral Agreement and/or any change to similar provisions in the other Security Documents, will require the written approval of each Revolving Lender.

(c) In connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination (a “ Proposed Change ”) requiring the consent of all Lenders or all directly and adversely affected Lenders, if the consent of the Required Lenders (and, to the extent any Proposed Change requires the consent of Lenders holding Loans of any Class pursuant to clause (iv), (vii) or (ix) of paragraph (b) of this Section, the consent of a Majority in Interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of such Class) to such Proposed Change is obtained, but the consent to such Proposed Change of other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is not obtained as described in paragraph (b) of this Section being referred to as a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”), then, so long as the Lender that is acting as Administrative Agent is not a Non-Consenting Lender, the Parent Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Non-Consenting Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Non-Consenting Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which Eligible Assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that (a) the Parent Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent to the extent such consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable (and, if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, each Principal Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (b) such Non- Consenting Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the Eligible Assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Parent Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (c) unless waived, the Parent Borrower or such Eligible Assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b).

(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary, the Revolving Commitments, Term Loans and Revolving Exposure of any Lender that is at the time (i) an Affiliated Lender (other than a Silver Lake Debt Fund) or (ii) a Defaulting Lender shall not have any voting or approval rights under the Loan Documents and shall be excluded in determining whether all Lenders (or all Lenders of a Class), all affected Lenders (or all affected Lenders of a Class), a Majority in Interest of Lenders of any Class or the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to this Section 9.02); provided that any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

(e) In the event that S&P, Moody’s and Thompson’s BankWatch (or InsuranceWatch Ratings Service, in the case of Lenders that are insurance companies (or Best’s Insurance Reports, if such insurance company is not rated by Insurance Watch Ratings Service)) shall, after the date that any Lender becomes a Revolving Lender, downgrade the long term certificate deposit ratings of such Lender, and the resulting ratings shall be below BBB-, Baa3 and C (or BB, in the case of a Lender that is an insurance company (or B, in the case of an insurance company not rated by InsuranceWatch Ratings Service)), then each Principal Issuing Bank shall have the right, but not the obligation, at its own expense, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, to replace such Lender with an Eligible Assignee (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in paragraph (b) above), and such Lender hereby agrees to transfer and assign without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in paragraph (b) above) all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to such Eligible Assignee; provided , however , that (i) no such assignment shall conflict with any law, rule and regulation or order of any Governmental Authority, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the Eligible Assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Parent Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), (iii) the Principal Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and such Eligible Assignee shall have received the prior written consent of the Parent Borrower to the extent such consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld and (iv) the Parent Borrower or such Eligible Assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b).

 

 

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(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary, each Affiliated Lender (other than a Silver Lake Debt Fund) hereby agrees that, if a proceeding under the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law shall be commenced by or against the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party at a time when such Lender is an Affiliated Lender, such Affiliated Lender irrevocably authorizes and empowers the Administrative Agent to vote on behalf of such Affiliated Lender with respect to the Loans held by such Affiliated Lender in any manner in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, unless the Administrative Agent instructs such Affiliated Lender to vote, in which case such Affiliated Lender shall vote with respect to the Loans held by it as the Administrative Agent directs; provided that such Affiliated Lender shall be entitled to vote in accordance with its sole discretion (and not in accordance with the direction of the Administrative Agent) in connection with any plan of reorganization to the extent any such plan of reorganization proposes to treat any Secured Obligations held by such Affiliated Lender in a manner that is less favorable in any material respect to such Affiliated Lender than the proposed treatment of similar Secured Obligations held by Lenders that are not Affiliates of the Borrower.

SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

(a) The Parent Borrower shall pay, if the Effective Date occurs, (i) all reasonable and documented out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (without duplication), including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, and to the extent reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be necessary, one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, in each case for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented or invoiced out of pocket expenses incurred by each Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable and documented or invoiced out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit; provided that such counsel shall be limited to one lead counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction and, in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel per affected party.

(b) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable and documented out of pocket fees and expenses of one counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction (and, in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel) for all Indemnitees (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of any Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties to the Loan Documents of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) to the extent in any way arising from or relating to any of the foregoing, any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on, at, to or from any Mortgaged Property or any other property currently or formerly owned or operated by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any other Environmental Liability related in any way to Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim,

 

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litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (i) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of, or a material breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties or (ii) any dispute between and among indemnified persons that does not involve an act or omission by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries except that each Agent and Joint Lead Arrangers shall be indemnified in their capacities as such.

(c) To the extent that the Parent Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, any Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, and without limiting the Parent Borrower’s obligation to do so, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, such Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, such Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank in its capacity as such. For purposes hereof, a Lender’s “pro rata share” shall be determined based upon its share of the aggregate Revolving Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments at the time. The obligations of the Lenders under this paragraph (c) are subject to the last sentence of Section 2.02(a) (which shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Lenders’ obligations under this paragraph (c)).

(d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, none of Holdings or the Parent Borrower shall assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such damages are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of, or a breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties, or (ii) on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than 10 Business Days after written demand therefor; provided , however , that any Indemnitee shall promptly refund an indemnification payment received hereunder to the extent that there is a final judicial determination that such Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification with respect to such payment pursuant to this Section 9.03.

SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns .

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Parent Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Parent Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraphs (b)(ii) and (g) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent

 

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(such consent (except with respect to assignments to competitors of the Parent Borrower) not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of (A) the Parent Borrower, provided that no consent of the Parent Borrower shall be required (i) during the first 30 days after the Effective Date, (ii) for an assignment by a Term Lender to any Lender or an Affiliate of any Lender, by a Term Lender to an Approved Fund, (iii) if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee or (iv) after the first anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date if the Term Loans are still outstanding as of such date in an aggregate principal amount of at least $100,000,000; provided further that the Parent Borrower shall have the right to withhold its consent to any assignment if, in order for such assignment to comply with applicable law, the Parent Borrower would be required to obtain the consent of, or make any filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority, (B) the Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or to the Parent Borrower or any Affiliate thereof and (C) each Principal Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender, provided that no consent of any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan or Term Commitment. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9.04 to the contrary, if any Person the consent of which is required by this paragraph with respect to any assignment of Term Loans has not given the Administrative Agent written notice of its objection to such assignment within 10 Business Days after written notice to such Person, such Person shall be deemed to have consented to such assignment.

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions: (A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the trade date specified in the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment or, if no trade date is so specified, as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than, in the case of a Revolving Loan or Revolving Commitment, $2,500,000 or, in the case of a Term Loan, $1,000,000, unless the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), provided that no such consent of the Parent Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing, (B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause (B) shall not be construed to prohibit assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans, (C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together (unless waived by the Administrative Agent) with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, provided that assignments made pursuant to Section 2.19(b) or Section 9.02(c) shall not require the signature of the assigning Lender to become effective, (D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent any tax forms required by Section 2.17(e) and an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level   information (which may contain material non-public information about the Parent Borrower, the Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws and (E) unless the Parent Borrower otherwise consents, no assignment of all or any portion of the Revolving Commitment of a Lender that is also a Swingline Lender or an Issuing Bank may be made unless (1) the assignee shall be or become a Swingline Lender and/or an Issuing Bank, as applicable, and assume a ratable portion of the rights and obligations of such assignor in its capacity as Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, or (2) the assignor agrees, in its discretion, to retain all of its rights with respect to and obligations to make or issue Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit, as applicable, hereunder in which case the Applicable Fronting Exposure of such assignor may exceed such assignor’s Revolving Commitment for purposes of Sections 2.04(a) and 2.05(b) by an amount not to exceed the difference between the assignor’s Revolving Commitment prior to such assignment and the assignor’s Revolving Commitment following such assignment; provided that no such consent of the Parent Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(g) or (h) has occurred and is continuing.

(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(v) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and

 

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obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of (and subject to the obligations and limitations of) Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and to any fees payable hereunder that have accrued for such Lender’s account but have not yet been paid). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c)(i) of this Section.

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Parent Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Parent Borrower, the Issuing Banks and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire and any tax forms required by Section 2.17(e) (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(vi) The words “execution”, “signed”, “signature” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

(c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lenders, sell participations to one or more banks or other Persons (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it), provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents, provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that directly and adversely affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Parent Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of (and subject to the obligations and limitations of) Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender.

 

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(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or Section 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior consent. A Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agreed, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 2.17(e) as though it were a Lender.

(d) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent, at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest, provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “ Granting Lender ”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “ SPV ”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, the option to provide to the Parent Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Parent Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. The making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender). In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPV, such party will not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPV any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.04, any SPV may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by the Parent Borrower and Administrative Agent) providing liquidity or credit support to or for the account of such SPV to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPV.

(f) Any Lender may, at any time, assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to the Sponsors or any of their respective Affiliates (other than Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries) subject to the following limitations:

(1) Affiliated Lenders will not receive information provided solely to Lenders by the Administrative Agent or any Lender and will not be permitted to attend or participate in meetings attended solely by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, other than the right to receive notices of Borrowings, notices of prepayments and other administrative notices in respect of its Loans or Commitments required to be delivered to Lenders pursuant to Article II; provided , however , that the foregoing provisions of this clause (1) will apply to the Silver Lake Debt Funds only to the extent that the Administrative Agent has determined in good faith that affording such rights to the Silver Lake Debt Funds during a period or in connection with a matter or matters being considered by Lenders would be inadvisable in light of the Silver Lake Debt Funds’ status as an Affiliated Lender (in which case the Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Silver Lake Debt Funds that are Lenders of such determination);

 

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(2) for purposes of any amendment, waiver or modification of any Loan Document (including such modifications pursuant to Section 9.02), or, subject to Section 9.02(f), any plan of reorganization pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, that in either case does not require the consent of each Lender or each affected Lender or does not adversely affect such Affiliated Lender in any material respect as compared to other Lenders, Affiliated Lenders will be deemed to have voted in the same proportion as the Lenders that are not Affiliated Lenders voting on such matter; and each Affiliated Lender hereby acknowledges, agrees and consents that if, for any reason, its vote to accept or reject any plan pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code is not deemed to have been so voted, then such vote will be (x) deemed not to be in good faith and (y) “designated” pursuant to Section 1126(e) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code such that the vote is not counted in determining whether the applicable class has accepted or rejected such plan in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code; provided that Affiliated Debt Funds will not be subject to such voting limitations and will be entitled to vote as any other Lender;

(3) Affiliated Lenders may not purchase Revolving Loans by assignment pursuant to this Section 9.04;

(4) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans purchased by assignment pursuant to this Section 9.04 and held at any one time by Affiliated Lenders (other than Silver Lake Debt Funds) may not exceed 20% of the original principal amount of all Term Loans on the Effective Date; and

(g) Notwithstanding anything in Section 9.02 or the definition of “Required Lenders” to the contrary, for purposes of determining whether the Required Lenders have (i) consented (or not consented) to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any of the terms of any Loan Document or any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, (ii) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document, or (iii) directed or required the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, all Term Loans held by any Affiliated Lenders that are not Silver Lake Debt Funds shall be deemed to be not outstanding for all purposes of calculating whether the Required Lenders have taken any actions.

SECTION 9.05. Survival . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, in the event that, in connection with the refinancing or repayment in full of the credit facilities provided for herein, an Issuing Bank shall have provided to the Administrative Agent a written consent to the release of the Revolving Lenders from their obligations hereunder with respect to any Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (whether as a result of the obligations of the Parent Borrower (and any other account party) in respect of such Letter of Credit having been collateralized in full by a deposit of cash with such Issuing Bank or being supported by a letter of credit that names such Issuing Bank as the beneficiary thereunder, or otherwise), then from and after such time such Letter of Credit shall cease to be a “Letter of Credit” outstanding hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the Revolving Lenders shall be deemed to have no participations in such Letter of Credit, and no obligations with respect thereto, under Section 2.05(e) or (f).

 

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SECTION 9.06. Counterparts ; Integration ; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or the syndication of the Loans and Commitments constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 9.07. Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff . If an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, any such Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Parent Borrower then due and owing under this Agreement held by such Lender or Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or Issuing Bank different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness. The applicable Lender and applicable Issuing Bank shall notify the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such setoff and application, provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such setoff and application under this Section. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates may have.

SECTION 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .

(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b) Each of Holdings and each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in any Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to any Loan Document against Holdings, the Borrowers or their respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each of Holdings and each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

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(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in any Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

SECTION 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

SECTION 9.11. Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 9.12. Confidentiality .

(a) Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, trustees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other agents and advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential and any failure of such Persons to comply with this Section 9.12 shall constitute a breach of this Section 9.12 by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the relevant Lender, as applicable), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority required by applicable law or by any subpoena or similar legal process provided that unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall notify the Parent Borrower of any request by any governmental agency or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with an examination of the financial condition of such Lender by such governmental agency or other routine examinations of such Lender by such governmental agency) for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of such information, and provided , further , that in no event shall any Lender or the Administrative Agent be obligated or required to return any materials furnished by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary of Holdings, (c) to any other party to this Agreement, (d) subject to an agreement containing confidentiality undertakings substantially similar to those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any Swap Agreement relating to any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries and its obligations under the Loan Documents, (e) with the consent of the Parent Borrower, in the case of Information provided by Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower or any other Subsidiary, or (f) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than Holdings or the Parent Borrower. For the purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from Holdings or the Parent Borrower relating to Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any Subsidiary or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by Holdings or the Parent Borrower, provided that, in the case of information received from Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary after the Effective Date, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

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(b) EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 9.12(a) FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING HOLDINGS, THE BORROWERS, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

(c) ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS FURNISHED BY THE BORROWERS OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT, WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT HOLDINGS, THE BORROWERS, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWERS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

SECTION 9.13. USA Patriot Act . Each Lender and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the USA Patriot Act.

SECTION 9.14. Judgment Currency .

(a) If, for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum owing hereunder in one currency into another currency, each party hereto agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction the first currency could be purchased with such other currency on the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which final judgment is given.

(b) The obligations of the Borrowers in respect of any sum due to any party hereto or any holder of any obligation owing hereunder (the “ Applicable Creditor ”) shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “ Judgment Currency ”) other than the currency in which such sum is stated to be due hereunder (the “ Agreement Currency ”), be discharged only to the extent that, on the Business Day following receipt by the Applicable Creditor of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Applicable Creditor may in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency; if the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Applicable Creditor in the Agreement Currency, the Borrowers agree, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Applicable Creditor against such loss. The obligations of the Borrowers under this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of all other amounts owing hereunder.

SECTION 9.15. Release of Liens and Guarantees . A Subsidiary Loan Party (other than a Borrower) shall automatically be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, and all security interests created by the Security Documents in Collateral owned by such Subsidiary Loan Party shall be automatically released, (1) upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by this Agreement as a result of which such Subsidiary Loan Party ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary (including pursuant to a merger with a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party or a designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) or (2) upon the request of the Borrower, in

 

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connection with a transaction permitted under this Agreement, as a result of which such Subsidiary Loan party ceases to be a wholly-owned Subsidiary. Upon any sale or other transfer by any Loan Party (other than to Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower or any other Subsidiary Loan Party) of any Collateral in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, or upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest created under any Security Document in any Collateral or the release of any Loan Party from its Guarantee under the Guarantee Agreement pursuant to Section 9.02, the security interests in such Collateral created by the Security Documents or such guarantee shall be automatically released. Upon termination of the aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit including as a result of obtaining the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank as described in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement), all obligations under the Loan Documents and all security interests created by the Security Documents shall be automatically released. In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 9.16. No Fiduciary Relationship . Each of Holdings and each Borrower, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, agrees that in connection with all aspects of the transactions contemplated hereby and any communications in connection therewith, Holdings, each Borrower, the other Subsidiaries and their Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their Affiliates, on the other hand, will have a business relationship that does not create, by implication or otherwise, any fiduciary duty on the part of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or their Affiliates, and no such duty will be deemed to have arisen in connection with any such transactions or communications.

SECTION 9.17. Obligation Joint and Several . The Borrowers shall have joint and several liability in respect of all Obligations in respect of the Loans (the “ Loan Obligations ”) hereunder and under any other Loan Document to which any Borrower is a party, without regard to any defense (other than the defense that payment in full has been made), setoff or counterclaim which may at any time be available to or be asserted by any other Loan Party against the Lenders, or by any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of the Borrowers) which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of the Borrowers’ liability hereunder, in bankruptcy or in any other instance, and the Loan Obligations of the Borrowers hereunder shall not be conditioned or contingent upon the pursuit by the Lenders or any other person at any time of any right or remedy against the Borrowers or against any other person which may be or become liable in respect of all or any part of the Loan Obligations or against any Collateral or Guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto. The Borrowers hereby acknowledge that this Agreement is the independent and several obligation of each Borrower (regardless of which Borrower shall have delivered a request for borrowings under Section 2.03) and may be enforced against each Borrower separately, whether or not enforcement of any right or remedy hereunder has been sought against any other Borrower. Each Borrower hereby expressly waives, with respect to any of the Loans made to any other Borrower hereunder and any of the amounts owing hereunder by such other Loan Parties in respect of such Loans, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any Lender exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against such other Loan Parties under this Agreement or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or against any other person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of such amounts owing hereunder.

SECTION 9.18. Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

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(b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

[Signature pages intentionally omitted]

 

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Schedules to the SMART Credit Agreement


Schedule 1.01(a)

Excluded Subsidiaries

Each Subsidiary listed on this Schedule shall be deemed to be an Excluded Subsidiary under clause (b) of the definition of such term only for so long as such Subsidiary does not cease to be an Excluded Subsidiary.

SMART Modular Technologies (Lux) S.a.r.l.

SMART Modular Technologies (SG) PTE. LTD.


Schedule 1.01(b)

Existing Letters of Credit

 

LC #

   Beneficiary    SMART Entity    Issuing Bank    Issue Date    Expiration Date    LC
Amount
 

NZS666846

   RREEF America
REIT III-ZI LLC
   SMART Modular
Technologies, Inc.
   Wells Fargo Bank,
N.A.
   September 8, 2010    February 1, 2012    $ 168,625  


Schedule 2.01

Commitments

 

Lender

   Initial Term Loan Commitments  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $ 145,000,000.00  

UBS AG, Stamford Branch

   $ 145,000,000.00  

Banco do Brasil - New York Branch

   $ 20,000,000.00  

TOTAL

   $ 310,000,000.00  

Lender

   Revolving Credit Commitments  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $ 17,500,000.00  

UBS AG, Stamford Branch

   $ 17,500,000.00  

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

   $ 15,000,000.00  

TOTAL

   $ 50,000,000.00  

 


Schedule 3.12

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiary

  

Jurisdiction of
Organization

   Percentage
Ownership
SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.    Cayman Islands    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (DH), Inc.    Cayman Islands    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (CI), Inc.    Cayman Islands    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (DE), Inc.    Delaware    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (Foreign Holdings), Limited    Cayman Islands    100%
SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.    California    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (Europe) Limited    United Kingdom    100%
SMART Modular Technologies GmbH    Germany    100%
ConXtra Inc.    California    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (Puerto Rico) Inc.    Cayman Islands    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (NL) B.V.    Netherlands    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (SG), PTE. LTD.    Singapore    100%
SMART Modular Technologies (Lux) S.a r.l.    Luxembourg    100%
SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd.    Malaysia    100%
SMART Modular Technologies do Brasil - Indústria e Comércio de Componentes Ltda.    Brazil    99.9% owned

by SMART
(NL); 0.1%

owned by
SMART

(Puerto Rico)

SMART Modular Technologies Indústria de Componentes Eletrônicos Ltda.    Brazil    99.9% owned
by SMART
(NL); 0.1%

owned by
SMART

(Puerto Rico)


Schedule 5.14

Certain Post-Closing Obligations

Notwithstanding any conditions precedent, representations and covenants in the Loan Documents to the contrary (each such condition, representation and covenant deemed modified to the extent necessary to effect the following, and to permit the taking of the actions described herein within the time periods described herein), the Parent Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party to, as promptly as possible, but in no event later than the number of days after the Effective Date applicable to each item set forth below, take the actions or deliver the items described below; provided , that in each case the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree in writing to extend the number of days for compliance therewith (including to reasonably accommodate circumstances unforeseen on the Effective Date).

1. Within 60 days after the Effective Date, the applicable Loan Parties shall have (i) filed and registered in accordance with applicable foreign law the Security Documents pursuant to which the applicable Loan Parties grant a security interest in the assets, receivables and quotas of SMART Modular Technologies do Brasil- Industria e Comercio de Componentes Ltda. and SMART Modular Technologies Industria de Componentes Eletronicos Ltda as executed on the Effective Date, (ii) executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent an intellectual property security agreement granting as Collateral a valid, perfected security interest in the intellectual property registered in Brazil held by the applicable Loan Parties and (iii) received a written legal opinion, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, of Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados, with respect to such matters related to the security agreements described in clause (ii) above as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory thereto.

2. Within 60 days after the Effective Date, the applicable Loan Parties shall have filed and registered in accordance with applicable foreign law the fully executed Memorandum of Deposit delivered to the Administrative Agent granting as Collateral a valid, perfected security interest in the Equity Interests held by the applicable Loan Parties in SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd (the “ Memorandum of Deposit ”).

3. Within 60 days after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed trust agreement, security document or pledge agreement delivered in accordance with applicable foreign law to grant a valid, perfected security interest as collateral in the Equity Interests and assets held by the applicable Loan Parties in SMART Modular Technologies (Europe) Limited, a company registered under the laws of England and Wales, and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

4. Within 14 days after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received certificates, if any, representing all of the Equity Interests of each of the Loan Parties (other than Holdings) together with undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of the holder(s) of such Equity Interests and other customary ancillary documentation, including any documents required under Section 3.4 of the Memorandum of Deposit (with the exception of certificates, undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer and other customary ancillary documentation related to the pledge of shares of SMART Modular Technologies (Europe) Limited which shall be executed and delivered within 60 days after the Effective Date).


Schedule 6.01

Existing Indebtedness

 

Agreement

  

Date

  

Loan Party

  

Lender

   Amount
Outstanding
 

Credit Facility

   December 30, 2013    SMART Modular Technologies Indústria de Componentes Eletrônicos Ltda.    Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social    $ 11,800,000  

Credit Facility

   December 30, 2014    SMART Modular Technologies Indústria de Componentes Eletrônicos Ltda.    Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social    $ 16,300,000  

Installment Payment Agreement

   September 24, 2015    SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.    SG Equipment Finance USA Corp.    $ 129,000  

Note Payable

   January 23, 2015    SMART Modular Technologies (DE), Inc.    SMART Global Holdings, Inc.    $ 5,500,111  


Schedule 6.02

Existing Liens

Pursuant to the Guarantee Agreements (i) by and between Itaú Unibanco S.A. (“Itaú Unibanco”) and SMART Modular Technologies Indústria de Componentes Eletrônicos Ltda. (“SMART Brazil”), dated as of February 26, 2015, and (ii) Banco Itaú BBA S/A (“Banco Itaú” and together with “Itaú Unibanco”, “Itau”) and SMART Brazil, dated as of January 21, 2014, pursuant to which SMART Brazil provided restricted cash as collateral under fiduciary credit assignment agreements for the guaranties provided by Itau to the Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social (BNDES). The total balance of the restricted cash as of August 26, 2016 was $6,800,000. SMART Modular Technologies do Brasil – Indústria e Comércio de Componentes Ltda. (“SMART do Brasil”) is an intervening consenting party to both agreements.


Schedule 6.04(e)

Existing Investments

Technology Development Agreement, Manufacturing and Licensing Agreement by and between SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. and Xockets, Inc., pursuant to which SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. purchased a $250,000 convertible note issued by Xockets, Inc. and will make two further $250,000 investments in Xockets, Inc. upon the occurrence of certain events.


Schedule 6.09

Existing Affiliate Transactions

 

  1. Global Shared Services Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2011, by and between SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc. and SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings)

 

  2. Malaysia Manufacturing Services Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2011, by and between SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd. and SMART Storage Systems Sdn. Bhd.

 

  3. Malaysia Shared Services Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2011, by and between SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd. and SMART Storage Systems Sdn. Bhd.

 

  4. Newark Manufacturing Services Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2011, by and between SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. and SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc.

 

  5. Agreement for Technology Transfer of Beneficial Ownership in Intangible Property Associated with Enterprise Storage Products, dated as of August 19, 2011, by and among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., SMART Storage Systems (AZ), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd. and SMART Storage Systems LLC.

 

  6. Intellectual Property Cross-License Agreement, dated August 26, 2011 among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd., SMART Storage Systems (AZ), Inc. and SMART Storage Systems, LLC.


Schedule 6.10

Existing Restrictions

None.


EXHIBIT A

[Form of] ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION 1

This Assignment and Assumption (the “ Assignment and Assumption ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the “ Assignor ”) and [Insert name of Assignee] (the “ Assignee ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the credit facility identified below (including any guarantees included in such facility) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “ Assigned Interest ”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

  1. Assignor: ______________________________________________________________

 

  2. Assignee: ______________________________________________________________
  [and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [Identify Lender]] 2

 

  3. Parent Borrower: SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.

 

  4. Administrative Agent: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement

 

  5. Credit Agreement: The Credit Agreement dated as August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

 

 

1 Form to be used for any Lender other than a Lender that is also a Swingline Lender or an Issuing Bank.
2 Select as applicable.

 

 

A-1


  6. Assigned Interest:

 

Facility Assigned

   Aggregate Amount
of Commitment (and
related extensions of
credit) for all
Lenders
     Amount of
Commitment (and
related extensions of
credit) Assigned
     Percentage
Assigned of
Commitment
(and related
extensions of
credit) 3
 

Revolving Credit Facility

   $      $        %  

Term Loan Facility

   $      $        %  

Each Assignee acknowledges the limitations on the rights of Lenders that are Affiliated Lenders set forth in the Credit Agreement, including in Sections 9.02 and 9.04 thereof.

Effective Date:                     , 20     [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR].

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

3   Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment of all Lenders thereunder.

 

 

A-2


The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR [NAME OF ASSIGNOR],
By:  

 

  Title:
ASSIGNEE [NAME OF ASSIGNEE],
By:  

 

  Title:

 

[Consented to and] 4 Accepted:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as
Administrative Agent,
By:  

 

  Title:
[Consented to:] 5
EXECUTED AS A DEED BY
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (GLOBAL), INC.
By:  

 

  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Title:

 

4 To be included only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by Section 9.04(b)(i)(B) of the Credit Agreement.
5 To be included only if the consent of the Parent Borrower is required by Section 9.04(b)(i)(A) of the Credit Agreement.

 

 

A-3


Consented to:
[                     ] 6 , as a Principal Issuing Bank
By:  

 

  Title:
Consented to:
[                     ] 7 , as the Swingline Lender
By:  

 

  Title:

 

6 To be included except for assignments of all or any portion of a Term Loan or Term Commitment as required by Section 9.04(b)(i)(C) of the Credit Agreement.
7 To be included except for assignments of all or any portion of a Term loan or Term Commitment as required by Section 9.04(b)(i)(C) of the Credit Agreement.

 

 

A-4


SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.

$[                     ] CREDIT FACILITY

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties .

1.1 Assignor . The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents, (iii) the financial condition of Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries or other Affiliates of Holdings or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by Holdings, the Parent Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries or other Affiliates of Holdings or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2. Assignee . The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and (v) attached to this Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2. Payments . From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

3. General Provisions . This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

AI-1


EXHIBIT B

 

 

 

MASTER GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

dated as of

[            ], 2011,

among

SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.,

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

IDENTIFIED HEREIN

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  
ARTICLE I  
Definitions  

SECTION 1.01. Credit Agreement

     1  

SECTION 1.02. Other Defined Terms

     1  
ARTICLE II  
The Guarantees  

SECTION 2.01. Guarantee

     3  

SECTION 2.02. Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee

     3  

SECTION 2.03. No Limitations

     3  

SECTION 2.04. Reinstatement

     5  

SECTION 2.05. Agreement to Pay; Subrogation

     5  

SECTION 2.06. Information

     6  

SECTION 2.07. Maximum Liability

     6  

SECTION 2.08. Payments Free of Taxes

     6  
ARTICLE III  
Indemnity, Subrogation and Subordination  

SECTION 3.01. Indemnity and Subrogation

     7  

SECTION 3.02. Contribution and Subrogation

     7  

SECTION 3.03. Subordination

     7  

SECTION 3.04. Financial Assistance

     7  
ARTICLE IV  
Representations and Warranties  
ARTICLE V  
Miscellaneous  

SECTION 5.01. Notices

     8  

SECTION 5.02. Waivers; Amendment

     8  

SECTION 5.03. Administrative Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

     9  

SECTION 5.04. Successors and Assigns

     10  

SECTION 5.05. Survival of Agreement

     10  

SECTION 5.06. Counterparts; Effectiveness; Several Agreement

     10  

SECTION 5.07. Severability

     11  

SECTION 5.08. Right of Set-Off

     11  


SECTION 5.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Appointment of Service of Process Agent

     11  

SECTION 5.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     12  

SECTION 5.11. Headings

     12  

SECTION 5.12. Termination or Release

     12  

SECTION 5.13. Additional Subsidiary Guarantors

     12  

 


MASTER GUARANTEE AGREEMENT dated as of [         ], 2011 (this “ Agreement ”), among SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (GLOBAL MEMORY HOLDINGS), INC., SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (GLOBAL), INC., SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC., the SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS identified herein and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the other Guaranteed Parties.

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. The Lenders and the Issuing Banks have agreed to extend credit to the Borrowers subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. The obligations of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks to extend such credit are conditioned upon, among other things, the execution and delivery of this Agreement. Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors are affiliates of the Borrowers, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrowers pursuant to the Credit Agreement and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders and the Issuing Banks to extend such credit. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.01. Credit Agreement .

(a) Capitalized terms used in this Agreement (including in the introductory paragraph hereto) and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Credit Agreement.

(b) The rules of construction specified in Section 1.03 of the Credit Agreement also apply to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis .

SECTION 1.02 Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Borrowers ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Claiming Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.02.

Contributing Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.02.

 

 

B-1


Credit Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Guaranteed Obligations ” means, in the case of any Guarantor, subject to Section 2.07 of this Agreement, (a) the Loan Document Obligations, (b) the Guaranteed Cash Management Obligations and (c) the Guaranteed Swap Obligations.

Guaranteed Cash Management Obligations ” means the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of Holdings and the Subsidiaries in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds provided to Holdings or any Subsidiary (whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor)) that are (a) owed to the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates, (b) owed on the Effective Date to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender as of the Effective Date, (c) owed to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such obligations are incurred or (d) owed to any other Person, provided that the obligations owed to any such other Person arose in respect of services provided by such Person in a jurisdiction where none of the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Lenders or any of their Affiliates, at the time such obligations arose, offered to provide such services.

Guaranteed Swap Obligations ” means the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of Holdings and the Subsidiaries under each Swap Agreement that (a) is with a counterparty that is the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates, (b) is in effect on the Effective Date with a counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender as of the Effective Date or (c) is entered into after the Effective Date with any counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into.

Guaranteed Parties ” means (a) each Lender, (b) each Issuing Bank, (c) the Administrative Agent, (d) each Joint Bookrunner, (e) each Person to whom any Guaranteed Cash Management Obligations are owed, (f) each counterparty to any Swap Agreement the obligations under which constitute Guaranteed Swap Obligations, (g) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (h) the permitted successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

Guarantors ” means Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Loan Document Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrowers of (i) the principal of and interest at the applicable rate or rates provided in the Credit Agreement (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made by any Borrower under the Credit Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest thereon and obligations to provide cash collateral, and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrowers under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of

 

 

B-2


whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual payment and performance of all other obligations of the Borrowers under or pursuant to each of the Loan Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Loan Party under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding).

Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor ” means any Subsidiary Guarantor that is organized and existing under the laws of Luxembourg.

Subsidiary Guarantors ” means the Subsidiaries identified as such on Schedule I and each other Subsidiary that becomes a party to this Agreement as a Subsidiary Guarantor after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 5.13; provided that if a Subsidiary is released from its obligations as a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder as provided in Section 5.12(b), such Subsidiary shall cease to be a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder effective upon such release.

Supplement ” means an instrument in the form of Exhibit A hereto, or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent, and in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

ARTICLE II

The Guarantees

SECTION 2.01. Guarantee . Each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each of the Guaranteed Parties, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, by way of an independent payment obligation, the due and punctual payment and performance of its Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, or amended or modified, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee hereunder notwithstanding any such extension or renewal, or amendment or modification, of any of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Borrowers or any other Loan Party of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its guarantee and notice of protest for nonpayment.

SECTION 2.02 Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee . Each Guarantor further agrees that its guarantee hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due (whether or not any bankruptcy or similar proceeding shall have stayed the accrual of collection of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or operated as a discharge thereof) and not merely of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Administrative Agent or any other Guaranteed Party to any security held for the payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Administrative Agent or any other Guaranteed Party in favor of the Borrowers, any other Loan Party or any other Person. Each Guarantor agrees that its guarantee hereunder is continuing in nature and applies to all of its Guaranteed Obligations, whether currently existing or hereafter incurred.

SECTION 2.03 No Limitations .

(a) Except for the termination or release of a Guarantor’s obligations hereunder as expressly provided in Section 5.12 and the limitations set forth in Section 2.07 or in the Supplement pursuant to which such Guarantor became a party hereto, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder

 

 

B-3


shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and shall not be subject to any defense or set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, any impossibility in the performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except for the termination or release of its obligations hereunder as expressly provided in Section 5.12, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by:

(i) the failure of any Guaranteed Party or any other Person to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy under the provisions of any Loan Document or otherwise;

(ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment, restatement or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, any Loan Document or any other agreement, including with respect to any other Guarantor under this Agreement;

(iii) the release of, or any impairment of or failure to perfect any Lien on, any security held by any Guaranteed Party for any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(iv) any default, failure or delay, wilful or otherwise, in the performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(v) any other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or otherwise operate as a discharge of any Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations);

(vi) any illegality, lack of validity or lack of enforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(vii) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of any Loan Party, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any Loan Party or its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(viii) the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights that any Guarantor may have at any time against any Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any other Guaranteed Party or any other Person, whether in connection with the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any unrelated transaction;

(ix) this Agreement having been determined (on whatsoever grounds) to be invalid, non-binding or unenforceable against any other Guarantor ab initio or at any time after the Effective Date;

(x) the fact that any Person that, pursuant to the Loan Documents, was required to become a party hereto may not have executed or is not effectually bound by this Agreement, whether or not this fact is known to the Guaranteed Parties;

(xi) any action permitted or authorized hereunder; or

 

B-4


(xii) any other circumstance (including any statute of limitations), or any existence of or reliance on any representation by the Administrative Agent, any Guaranteed Party or any other Person, that might otherwise constitute a defense to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, any Borrower, any Guarantor or any other guarantor or surety (other than the payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations (excluding contingent obligations (other than any such obligations in respect of a Letter of Credit) as to which no claim has been made)).

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor expressly authorizes the Guaranteed Parties to take and hold security in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents for the payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, to exchange, waive or release any or all such security (with or without consideration), to enforce or apply such security and direct the order and manner of any sale thereof in their sole discretion or to release or substitute any one or more other guarantors or obligors upon or in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, all without affecting the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder.

(b) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party, other than the payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and in accordance with articles 2021 and 2026 of the Luxembourg Civil Code, each Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor waives the bénéfice de discussion and the bénéfice de division . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Administrative Agent and the other Guaranteed Parties may, at their election and in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, foreclose on any security held by one or more of them by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such security in lieu of foreclosure, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to them against the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been paid in full in cash. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Guarantor against the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party, as the case may be, or any security.

SECTION 2.04 Reinstatement . Each Guarantor agrees that, unless released pursuant to Section 5.12(b), its guarantee hereunder shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Guaranteed Party upon the bankruptcy or reorganization (or any analogous proceeding in any jurisdiction) of the Parent Borrower, any other Loan Party or otherwise.

SECTION 2.05 Agreement to Pay; Subrogation . In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right that the Administrative Agent or any other Guaranteed Party has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party to pay any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the applicable Guaranteed Parties in cash the amount of such unpaid Guaranteed Obligation. Upon payment by any Guarantor of any sums to the Administrative Agent as provided above, all rights of such Guarantor against the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be subject to Article III.

 

 

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SECTION 2.06 Information . Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Parent Borrower’s and each other Loan Party’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that such Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that none of the Guaranteed Parties will have any duty to advise such Guarantor of information known to it or any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.

SECTION 2.07 Maximum Liability .

(a) Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor Guarantee Limitations . (1) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary but subject to paragraph (ii) below, the obligations and liabilities of any Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement shall at no time, in the aggregate, exceed an amount equal to the maximum financial capacity of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor, such maximum financial capacity being limited to 90% of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor’s net capitaux propres (as referred to in article 34 of the Luxembourg law of 19th December 2002 on the commercial register and annual accounts, where the capitaux propres means the shareholder’s equity (including the share capital, share premium, legal and statutory reserves, other reserves, profits or losses carried forward, investment subsidies and regulated provisions) of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor as shown in the latest financial statements ( comptes annuels ) available at the date of the relevant payment hereunder and approved by the shareholders of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor and certified by the statutory auditors, as the case may be).

(ii) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the obligations and liabilities of any Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement shall not include any obligation or liability to the extent that, if so included, would constitute an abuse of assets as defined by article 171-1 of the Luxembourg law on commercial companies dated August 10, 1915 as amended.

(iii) The restrictions and limitations set forth in paragraph (i) above with respect to any Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor shall not apply to obligations and liabilities of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement in respect of:

(A) obligations of the subsidiaries of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor; and

(B) obligations of Holdings or any Subsidiary that is not a subsidiary of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor, up to an amount equal to the aggregate outstanding amount of loans and advances made, directly or indirectly, by Holdings or any such Subsidiary to such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor or any subsidiary of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the obligations and liabilities of any Subsidiary Guarantor that becomes a party to this Agreement after the date hereof shall be limited as and to the extent set forth in the applicable Supplement.

SECTION 2.08. Payments Free of Taxes . Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Guarantor hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes on the same terms and to the same extent that payments by the Borrowers are required to be so made pursuant to the terms of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement. The provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement shall apply to each Guarantor, mutatis mutandis .

 

 

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ARTICLE III

Indemnity, Subrogation and Subordination

SECTION 3.01. Indemnity and Subrogation . In addition to all such rights of indemnity and subrogation as the Guarantors may have under applicable law (but subject to Section 3.03) in respect of any payment hereunder, each Borrower agrees that (a) in the event a payment in respect of any obligation of each Borrower shall be made by any Guarantor under this Agreement, each Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and such Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment and (b) in the event any assets of any Guarantor shall be sold pursuant to any Security Document to satisfy in whole or in part any Guaranteed Obligations owed to any Guaranteed Party, each Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor in an amount equal to the greater of the book value or the fair market value of the assets so sold.

SECTION 3.02. Contribution and Subrogation . Each Guarantor (a “ Contributing Party ”) agrees (subject to Sections 2.07 and 3.03) that, in the event a payment shall be made by any other Guarantor hereunder in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations or assets of any other Guarantor (other than any Borrower) shall be sold pursuant to any Security Document to satisfy any Guaranteed Obligation owed to any Guaranteed Party and such other Guarantor (the “ Claiming Party ”) shall not have been fully indemnified as provided in Section 3.01, the Contributing Party shall indemnify the Claiming Party in an amount equal to the amount of such payment or the greater of the book value or the fair market value of such assets, as the case may be, in each case multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the net worth of the Contributing Party on the date hereof (or, in the case of any Guarantor becoming a party hereto pursuant to Section 5.13, the date of the Supplement executed and delivered by such Guarantor) and the denominator shall be the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors on the date hereof (or, in the case of any such Guarantor, such other date). Any Contributing Party making any payment to a Claiming Party pursuant to this Section 3.02 shall be subrogated to the rights of such Claiming Party under Section 3.01 to the extent of such payment.

SECTION 3.03. Subordination . (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 2.07, all rights of the Guarantors under Sections 3.01 and 3.02 and all other rights of the Guarantors of indemnity, contribution or subrogation under applicable law or otherwise shall be fully subordinated to the payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations. No failure on the part of any Borrower or any Guarantor to make the payments required by Sections 3.01 and 3.02 (or any other payments required under applicable law or otherwise) shall in any respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor with respect to its obligations hereunder, and each Guarantor shall remain liable for the full amount of the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby agrees that upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice from the Administrative Agent ( provided that no such notice shall be required to be given in the case of any Event of Default arising under Section 7.01(h) or 7.01(i) of the Credit Agreement), all Indebtedness and other monetary obligations owed by it to, or to it by, any other Guarantor or any other Subsidiary shall be fully subordinated to the payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations.

SECTION 3.04. Financial Assistance . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the guarantee, indemnity and other obligations of each Guarantor expressed to be assumed in this Agreement shall be deemed not to be assumed by such Guarantor to the extent that the same would constitute unlawful financial assistance within the meaning of Articles 2:98c and/or 2:207c Dutch Civil Code or any other applicable financial assistance rules under any relevant jurisdiction (the “ Prohibition ”)

 

 

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and the provisions of this Agreement, the Loan Documents, the Swap Agreements and any document evidencing the Cash Management Obligations shall be construed accordingly. This Agreement does not apply to any liability to the extent that it would result in this Agreement constituting unlawful financial assistance within the meaning of section 678 or section 679 of the Companies Act 2006. For the avoidance of doubt it is expressly acknowledged that each Guarantor will continue to guarantee all such obligations which, if included, do not constitute a violation of the Prohibition.

ARTICLE IV

Representations and Warranties

Each Subsidiary Guarantor represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the other Guaranteed Parties that (a) the execution, delivery and performance by such Subsidiary Guarantor of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action and, if required, action by the holders of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Equity Interests, and that this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Subsidiary Guarantor and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and (b) all representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement as to such Subsidiary Guarantor are true and correct in all material respects; provided that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language is true and correct in all respects. 1

ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous

SECTION 5.01. Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than any Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be given to it in care of Holdings as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to any Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor shall be given to it at the address specified below the signature of such Luxembourg Subsidiary Guarantor.

SECTION 5.02. Waivers; Amendment .

(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.02, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the

 

1   Subject to review of execution version of the credit agreement

 

 

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generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time. No notice or demand on any Loan Party in any case shall entitle any Loan Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Guarantor or Guarantors with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement; provided that the Administrative Agent may, without the consent of any Guaranteed Party, consent to a departure by any Guarantor from any covenant of such Guarantor set forth herein to the extent such departure is consistent with the authority of the Administrative Agent set forth in the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” in the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5.03. Administrative Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .

(a) Each Guarantor, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for its fees and expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 9.03(a) of the Credit Agreement; provided that each reference therein to the “Parent Borrower” shall be deemed to be a reference to “each Guarantor.”

(b) Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Loan Documents, each Guarantor, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent and the other Indemnitees against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether brought by a third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of, or a breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties.

(c) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Guarantor shall assert, and each Guarantor hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such damages are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of, or a breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties, or (ii) on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

 

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(d) The provisions of this Section 5.03 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, the repayment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of any Guaranteed Party. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than 10 Business Days after written demand therefor; provided , however , any Indemnitee shall promptly refund an indemnification payment received hereunder to the extent that there is a final judicial determination that such Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification with respect to such payment pursuant to this Section 5.03. Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Guaranteed Obligations.

SECTION 5.04. Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Guarantor or the Administrative Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 5.05. Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in this Agreement or any other Loan Document and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Guaranteed Parties and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Guaranteed Party and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Guaranteed Party may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and shall continue in full force and effect until such time as (a) all the Loan Document Obligations (including LC Disbursements, if any, but excluding contingent obligations for indemnification, expense reimbursement, tax gross-up or yield protection as to which no claim has been made) have been paid in full in cash, (b) all Commitments have terminated or expired and (c) the LC Exposure has been reduced to zero (including as a result of obtaining the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank as described in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement) and the Issuing Banks have no further obligation to issue or amend Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5.06. Counterparts; Effectiveness; Several Agreement . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective as to any Guarantor when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such Guarantor shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Administrative Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such Guarantor and the Administrative Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such Guarantor, the Administrative Agent and the other Guaranteed Parties and their respective successors and assigns, except that no Guarantor shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as expressly provided in this Agreement and the Credit Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each Guarantor and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released with respect to any Guarantor without the approval of any other Guarantor and without affecting the obligations of any other Guarantor hereunder.

 

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SECTION 5.07. Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good- faith negotiations to replace any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 5.08. Right of Set-Off . If an Event of Default under Sections 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) of the Credit Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor against any of and all the obligations of such Guarantor then due and owing under this Agreement held by such Lender or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or such Issuing Bank different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness. The applicable Lender and Issuing Bank shall notify the applicable Guarantor and the Administrative Agent of such setoff and application; provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such setoff and application under this Section 5.08. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section 5.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates may have.

SECTION 5.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Appointment of Service of Process Agent .

(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against any Guarantor or its respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

 

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(e) Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers the Parent Borrower as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and in respect of its property, service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents that may be served in any such action or proceeding.

SECTION 5.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.10.

SECTION 5.11. Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 5.12. Termination or Release .

(a) Subject to Section 2.04, this Agreement and the Guarantees made herein shall terminate when (i) all the Loan Document Obligations (including all LC Disbursements, if any, but excluding contingent obligations for indemnification, expense reimbursement, tax gross-up or yield protection as to which no claim has been made) have been paid in full in cash, (ii) all Commitments have terminated or expired and (iii) the LC Exposure has been reduced to zero (including as a result of obtaining the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank as described in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement) and the Issuing Banks have no further obligation to issue or amend Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement.

(b) The guarantees made herein shall also terminate and be released at the time or times and in the manner set forth in Section 9.15 of the Credit Agreement.

(c) In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 5.13. Additional Subsidiary Guarantors . Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, additional Subsidiaries may be required to become Subsidiary Guarantors after the date hereof. Upon execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent and a Subsidiary of a Supplement, any such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as such herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other Guarantor hereunder. The rights and obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any Subsidiary as a party to this Agreement.

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Master Guarantee Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

EXECUTED AS A DEED BY
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (GLOBAL
MEMORY HOLDINGS), INC.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
EXECUTED AS A DEED BY
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (GLOBAL), INC.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[                       ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[                       ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO M ASTER G UARANTEE A GREEMENT


[                       ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[                       ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[                       ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the other Guaranteed Parties,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO M ASTER G UARANTEE A GREEMENT


Schedule I to

the Master Guarantee Agreement

INITIAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

ConXtra Inc.

SMART Modular Technologies (CI), Inc.

SMART Modular Technologies (DE), Inc.

SMART Modular Technologies (DH), Inc.

SMART Modular Technologies (Foreign Holdings), Limited

SMART Modular Technologies (NL), B.V., a private company with limited liability ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands, having its seat ( statutaire zetel ) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and its registered office at Fred. Roeskestraat 123 I hg, 1076 EE Amsterdam, The Netherlands and registered with the Dutch Commercial Register ( Handelsregister ) under number 34277894

SMART Modular Technologies (Puerto Rico) Inc.

SMART Modular Technologies do Brasil- Indústria e Comércio de Componentes Ltda.

SMART Modular Technologies Indústria de Componentes Eletrônicos Ltda.


SUPPLEMENT NO.          dated as of [        ] , 20[    ] to the Master Guarantee Agreement dated as of [        ], 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc. (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc. (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the subsidiaries of Holdings party thereto (Holdings, the Borrower and such subsidiaries being collectively referred to as the “ Guarantors ”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

A. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Holdings, the Parent Borrower, the Co-Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

B. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement and the Guarantee Agreement referred to therein, as applicable.

C. The Guarantors have entered into the Guarantee Agreement in order to induce the Lenders and the Issuing Banks to extend credit to the Borrowers. Section 5.13 of the Guarantee Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Subsidiary Guarantors under the Guarantee Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement to become a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee Agreement in order to induce the Lenders and the Issuing Banks to make additional extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement and as consideration for such extensions of credit previously issued.

Accordingly, the Administrative Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 5.13 of the Guarantee Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Subsidiary Guarantor, and the New Subsidiary hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Guarantee Agreement applicable to it as a Subsidiary Guarantor (and a Guarantor) thereunder. Each reference to a “Subsidiary Guarantor” or a “Guarantor” in the Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Guarantee Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the other Guaranteed Parties that (a) the execution, delivery and performance by the New Subsidiary of this Supplement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action and, if required, action by the holders of such New Subsidiary’s Equity Interests, and that this Supplement has been duly executed and delivered by the New Subsidiary and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and (b) all representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement as to the New Subsidiary are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof; provided that, to the extent such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; provided further that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,” “Material Averse Effect” or similar language is true and correct in all respects.


SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement. This Supplement shall become effective as to the New Subsidiary when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of the New Subsidiary shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Administrative Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon the New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the New Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent and the other Guaranteed Parties and their respective successors and assigns, except that the New Subsidiary shall not have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as expressly provided in this Supplement, the Guarantee Agreement and the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Guarantee Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. This Supplement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

SECTION 6. Any provision of this Supplement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Guarantee Agreement.

SECTION 8. The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for its fees and expenses incurred hereunder and under the Guarantee Agreement as provided in Section 9.03(a) of the Credit Agreement; provided that each reference therein to the “Parent Borrower” shall be deemed to be a reference to “the New Subsidiary.”

SECTION 9. The New Subsidiary is a [ company ] duly [ incorporated ] under the law of [ name of relevant jurisdiction ]. [ If applicable: ] The guarantee of the New Subsidiary in respect of obligations of any Person other than its Subsidiary is subject to the following limitations:

(a) if the New Subsidiary is incorporated in [    ], the limitations set forth in paragraph [    ] of Section 2.07 of the Guarantee Agreement; and

(b) [if the New Subsidiary is incorporated in any other jurisdiction, is giving a guarantee other than in respect of its subsidiary and limitations other than those set out in Section 2.07 of the Guarantee Agreement are agreed in respect of the New Subsidiary by the Administrative Agent, insert guarantee limitation wording for relevant jurisdiction that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent have duly executed this Supplement to the Master Guarantee Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[Name Of New Subsidiary],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the other Guaranteed Parties,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO SUPPLEMENT TO THE M ASTER G UARANTEE A GREEMENT


EXHIBIT C

[RESERVED]

 


EXHIBIT D

PERFECTION CERTIFICATE

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned in the Credit Agreement or the Collateral Agreement referred to therein, as applicable.

The undersigned, a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, hereby certifies to the Administrative Agent and each other Secured Party on behalf of the Loan Parties as follows:

SECTION 1. Names .

(a) Set forth on Schedule 1 is (i) the exact legal name of each Loan Party, as such name appears in its certificate of organization or like document and (ii) each other legal name such Loan Party has had in the past five years, together with the date of the relevant name change.

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 1, no Loan Party has changed its identity or corporate structure or entered into a similar reorganization in any way within the past five years. Changes in identity or corporate structure would include mergers, consolidations and acquisitions of all or substantially all of the assets of (or all or substantially all the assets constituting a business unit, division, product line or line of business of) a Person or other acquisitions of material assets out-side the ordinary course of business, as well as any change in the form, nature or jurisdiction of organization. With respect to any such change that has occurred within the past five years, Schedules 1 and 2 set forth the information required by Sections 1(a) and 2 of this Perfection Certificate as to each acquiree or constituent party to such merger, consolidation or acquisition.

SECTION 2. Jurisdictions and Locations . Set forth on Schedule 2 is (i) the jurisdiction of organization and the form of organization of each Loan Party, (ii) the organizational identification number, if any, assigned by such jurisdiction and (iii) the address (including, in the case of Loan Parties incorporated or organized in the United States, the county) of the chief executive office of such Loan Party or the registered office of such Loan Party, if applicable.

SECTION 3. Unusual Transactions . Except for Inventory or Accounts acquired pursuant to mergers, consolidations or acquisitions listed in Section 1(b) hereof, all Accounts have been originated by the Loan Parties and all Inventory with an aggregate value in excess of $5,000,000 has been acquired by the Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business.

SECTION 4. UCC Filings . Financing statements in substantially the form of Schedule 4 pre- pared for filing by counsel to the Administrative Agent in the proper Uniform Commercial Code filing office in the jurisdiction in which each Loan Party is located or, in the case of Non-US Loan Parties, in Washington, D.C. Set forth on Schedule 4 is a true and correct list of each such filing and the Uniform Commercial Code filing office in which such filing is to be made.

 

D-1


SECTION 5. Stock Ownership and other Equity Interests . Set forth on Schedule 5 is a true and correct list, for each Loan Party, of all the issued and outstanding stock, partnership interests, limited liability company membership interests or other Equity Interests owned, beneficially or of record, by such Loan Party, specifying the issuer and certificate number (if any) of, and the number and percentage of ownership represented by, such Equity Interests.

SECTION 6. Debt Instruments . Set forth on Schedule 6 is a true and correct list, for each Loan Party, of all promissory notes and other evidence of indebtedness (other than checks to be deposited in the ordinary course of business) owned by such Loan Party that are required to be pledged under the Credit Agreement and the Security Documents, including all intercompany notes between or among Holdings, the Borrower and the other Subsidiaries in excess of the US Dollar Equivalent of $5,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, and to the extent applicable, specifying the creditor and debtor thereunder and the outstanding principal amount thereof.

SECTION 7. Real Property . No Loan Party owns any real property as of the Effective Date.

SECTION 8. Intellectual Property .

(a) Set forth on Schedule 8(a) is a true and correct list, with respect to each Loan Party, of all patents and patent applications owned by such Loan Party (except, for the avoidance of doubt, as otherwise indicated on Schedule 8(a)), including the name of the owner, title, registration or application number of any registrations or applications and, if the “national phase” has been entered into by the owner of any patent application (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to patent applications filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization under the Patent Cooperation Treaty), the corresponding application number applicable to such patent application.

(b) Set forth on Schedule 8(b) is a true and correct list, with respect to each Loan Party, of all trademarks registrations and applications owned by such Loan Party, including the name of the registered owner and the registration or application number of any registrations and applications.

(c) Set forth in Schedule 8(c) is a true and correct list, with respect to each Loan Party, of all registered designs and design applications owned by such Loan Party including the name of the registered owner and the registration and/or application number of any registrations or applications.

(d) Set forth on Schedule 8(d) is a true and correct list, with respect to each Loan Party, of all copyrights registrations owned by such Loan Party, including the name of the registered owner, title and the registration or serial number of any copyright registrations.

(e) Set forth on Schedule 8(e) is a true and correct list, with respect to each Loan Party, of all exclusive Copyright Licenses under which such Loan Party is a licensee, including the name and address of the licensor under such exclusive Copyright License and the name of the registered owner, title and the registration or serial number of any copyright registration to which such exclusive Copyright License relates.

(f) All patent and patent applications, trademark registrations and applications and copyright registrations and applications and all exclusive Copyright Licenses under which a Subsidiary is a licensee owned or to be owned by any Subsidiary on or immediately following the Effective Date are listed on Schedules 8(a), 8(b), 8(c), 8(d), and 8(e) hereto.

SECTION 9. Commercial Tort Claims . Set forth on Schedule 9 is a true and correct list of commercial tort claims in excess of $5,000,000 (or its equivalent) held by any Loan Party, including a brief description thereof.

 

 

D-2


SECTION 10. Other Collateral . Set forth on Schedule 10 is a true and correct list of all the fixed assets, goods and machinery located in Brazil with a fair market value in excess of $5,000,000 (or its equivalent) that is held by any Loan Party, including a brief description thereof.

 

D-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this certificate on this         day of August 2011.

 

    EXECUTED AS A DEED BY

    SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES     (GLOBAL), INC. ,

 

    Name:

    Title

 

    Witness

    Name:

    Title:

    SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,

 

    Name:

    Title:

[S IGNATURE P AGE TO P ERFECTION C ERTIFICATE ]


Schedule 1

Names

 

Loan Party’s Exact Legal Name

  

Other Legal Names

(including date of change)


Schedule 2

Jurisdictions and Locations

 

Loan Party

  

Jurisdiction of

Organization

  

Form of

Organization

  

Organizational

Identification Number

(if any)

  

Chief Executive

Office or Registered

Office Address

(including county)


Schedule 4

UCC Filings

 

Loan Party

   UCC Filing Office/County Recorder’s Office


Schedule 5

Stock Ownership and Other Equity Interests

 

Loan Party

  

Issuer

  

Certificate

Number

  

Number of

Equity Interests

  

Percentage of

Ownership


Schedule 6

Debt Instruments

 

Loan Party

  

Creditor

  

Debtor

  

Type

  

Amount


Schedule 8(a)

Intellectual Property

Patents and Patent Applications

 

Loan Party

  

Registered Owner

  

Type

  

Registration /

Application Number

  

Country

Designation


Schedule 8(b)

Intellectual Property

Trademarks and Trademark Applications

 

Loan Party

  

Registered Owner

  

Mark

  

Registration /

Application Number


Schedule 8(c)

Intellectual Property

Registered Designs and Design Applications

 

Loan Party

  

Registered Owner

  

Registration /

Application Number


Schedule 8(d)

Intellectual Property

Copyrights and Copyright Applications

 

Loan Party

  

Registered Owner

  

Title

  

Registration /

Serial Number


Schedule 8(e)

Intellectual Property

Exclusive Copyright Licenses under which a Loan Party is a Licensee

 

Loan

Party

  

Licensor

  

Licensor

Address

  

Registered

Owner

  

Title

  

Registration /

Serial Number


Schedule 9

Commercial Tort Claims

 

Loan Party/Plaintiff

  

Defendant

  

Description


Schedule 10

Fixed Assets Located in Brazil

 

Type of Collateral

  

Location of Collateral


EXHIBIT E

 

 

 

COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

dated as of

[            ], 2011,

among

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,

THE OTHER GRANTORS PARTY HERETO

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I  
Definitions  

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms

     1  

SECTION 1.02. Other Defined Terms

     1  
ARTICLE II  
Pledge of Securities  

SECTION 2.01. Pledge

     5  

SECTION 2.02. Delivery of the Pledged Collateral

     6  

SECTION 2.03. Representations, Warranties and Covenants

     7  

SECTION 2.04. [Reserved]

     8  

SECTION 2.05. Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

     8  

SECTION 2.06. Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest

     8  
ARTICLE III  
Security Interests in Personal Property  

SECTION 3.01. Security Interest

     10  

SECTION 3.02. Representations and Warranties

     12  

SECTION 3.03. Covenants

     14  

SECTION 3.04. Other Actions

     16  

SECTION 3.05. Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral

     16  
ARTICLE IV  
Remedies  

SECTION 4.01. Remedies upon Default

     17  

SECTION 4.02. Application of Proceeds

     19  

SECTION 4.03. Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property

     19  

SECTION 4.04. Securities Act

     20  
ARTICLE V  
Miscellaneous  

SECTION 5.01. Notices

     20  

SECTION 5.02. Waivers; Amendment

     20  

SECTION 5.03. Administrative Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

     21  

SECTION 5.04. Successors and Assigns

     22  

SECTION 5.05. Survival of Agreement

     22  


SECTION 5.06. Counterparts; Effectiveness; Several Agreement

     22  

SECTION 5.07. Severability

     22  

SECTION 5.08. Right of Set-Off

     23  

SECTION 5.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Appointment of Service of Process Agent

     23  

SECTION 5.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     24  

SECTION 5.11. Headings

     24  

SECTION 5.12. Security Interest Absolute

     24  

SECTION 5.13. Termination or Release

     24  

SECTION 5.14. Additional Subsidiaries

     25  

SECTION 5.15. Administrative Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

     25  

SECTION 5.16. Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classification

     25  


Schedules

 

Schedule I

  

Grantors

Schedule II

  

Pledged Equity Interests; Pledged Debt Securities

Schedule III

  

Intellectual Property

Schedule IV

  

Commercial Tort Claims

Exhibits

 

Exhibit I

  

Form of Supplement

Exhibit II

  

Form of Copyright Security Agreement

Exhibit III

  

Form of Patent Security Agreement

Exhibit IV

  

Form of Trademark Security Agreement

 


COLLATERAL AGREEMENT dated as of [        ], 2011 (this “Agreement”), among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (DE), Inc., and ConXtra, Inc., the other GRANTORS from time to time party hereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. The Lenders and the Issuing Banks have agreed to extend credit to the Borrowers subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. The obligations of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks to extend such credit are conditioned upon, among other things, the execution and delivery of this Agreement. The Grantors (other than the Borrowers) are Affiliates of the Borrowers, will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrowers pursuant to the Credit Agreement and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders and the Issuing Banks to extend such credit. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms .

(a) Each capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement; provided that each term defined in the New York UCC (as defined herein) and not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning specified in the New York UCC.

(b) The rules of construction specified in Section 1.03 and 1.04 of the Credit Agreement also apply to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis .

SECTION 1.02. Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

Account Debtor ” means any Person that is or may become obligated to any Grantor under, with respect to or on account of an Account.

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Article 9 Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

 

E-1


Borrowers ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Collateral ” means Article 9 Collateral and Pledged Collateral.

Copyright License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Person any right under any Copyright now or hereafter owned by any other Person or that such other Person otherwise has the right to license, and all rights of any such Person under any such agreement.

Copyright Security Agreement ” means the Copyright Security Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit II.

Copyrights ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person: (a) all copyright rights in any work arising under the copyright laws of the United States or any other country, whether as author, assignee, transferee or otherwise, and (b) all registrations and applications for registration of any such copyright in the United States or any other country, including registrations, supplemental registrations and pending applications for registration in the United States Copyright Office (or any similar office in any other country), including, in the case of any Grantor, the Copyrights set forth next to its name on Schedule III.

Credit Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Excluded Equity Interests ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

Federal Securities Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.04.

Grantors ” means (a) each Borrower, (b) each other Subsidiary identified on Schedule I and (c) each Subsidiary that becomes a party to this Agreement as a Grantor after the Effective Date.

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding ” means:

(1) any case commenced by or against the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor under any Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

(2) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

(3) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

Intellectual Property ” means, with respect to any Person, all intellectual and similar property of every kind and nature now owned or hereafter acquired by any such Person, including inventions, designs, Patents, Copyrights, Licenses, Trademarks, trade secrets, domain names, confidential or proprietary technical and business information, know-how, show-how or other data or information, software and databases and all embodiments or fixations thereof and related documentation, registrations and franchises, and all additions, improvements and accessions to, and books and records describing or used in connection with, any of the foregoing.

 

E-2


IP Security Agreements ” means the Trademark Security Agreement, the Patent Security Agreement and the Copyright Security Agreement.

License ” means any Patent License, Trademark License, Copyright License or other license or sublicense agreement to which any Person is a party, including those exclusive Copyright Licenses under which any Grantor is a licensee listed on Schedule III.

Loan Document Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrowers of (i) the principal of and interest at the applicable rate or rates provided in the Credit Agreement (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made by any Borrower under the Credit Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest thereon (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) and obligations to provide cash collateral, and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrowers under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual payment and performance of all other obligations of the Borrowers under or pursuant to each of the Loan Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Loan Party under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents (including interest and monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding).

New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York; provided, however, that, at any time, if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of the Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ security interest in any item or portion of the Article 9 Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code or similar law as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect, at such time, in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions relating to such provisions.

Non-Revolving Obligations ” means the Secured Obligations other than the Revolving Obligations.

Non-Revolving Secured Parties ” means the Secured Parties other than the Revolving Secured Parties.

Patent License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Person any right to make, use or sell any invention on which a Patent, now or hereafter owned by any other Person or that any other Person now or hereafter otherwise has the right to license, is in existence, and all rights of any such Person under any such agreement.

 

 

E-3


Patent Security Agreement ” means the Patent Security Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit III.

Patents ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person: (a) all letters patent of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, all registrations thereof and all applications for letters patent of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, including registrations and pending applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar offices in any other country, including those listed on Schedule III, and (b) all reissues, continuations, divisions, continuations-in- part, renewals or extensions thereof, and the inventions disclosed or claimed therein, including the right to make, use and/or sell the inventions disclosed or claimed therein.

Perfection Certificate ” means the Perfection Certificate dated the Effective Date delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.01(f) of the Credit Agreement.

Pledged Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

Pledged Debt Securities ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

Pledged Equity Interests ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

Pledged Securities ” means any promissory notes, stock certificates, unit certificates, limited or unlimited liability membership certificates or other securities now or hereafter included in the Pledged Collateral, including all certificates, instruments or other documents representing or evidencing any Pledged Collateral.

Revolving Obligations ” means the Secured Obligations payable to the Revolving Lenders, Swingline Lenders and Issuing Banks in respect of Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans or Letters of Credit.

Revolving Secured Parties ” means the Revolving Lenders, Swingline Lenders and Issuing Banks.

Secured Cash Management Obligations ” means the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of Holdings and the Subsidiaries in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds provided to Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary (whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor)) that are (a) owed to the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates, (b) owed on the Effective Date to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender as of the Effective Date, (c) owed to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such obligations are incurred or (d) owed to any other Person, provided that the obligations owed to any such other Person arose in respect of services provided by such Person in a jurisdiction where none of the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Lenders or any of their Affiliates, at the time such obligations arose, offered to provide such services and such person executes and delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent pursuant to which such person (i) appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent under the applicable Loan Documents and (ii) agrees to be bound by the provisions of Article Viii, Section 9.03 and Section 9.09 as if it were a Lender.

 

 

E-4


Secured Obligations ” means (a) the Loan Document Obligations, (b) the Secured Cash Management Obligations and (c) the Secured Swap Obligations.

Secured Parties ” means (a) each Lender, (b) each Issuing Bank, (c) the Administrative Agent, (d) each Joint Bookrunner, (e) each Person to whom any Secured Cash Management Obligations are owed, (f) each counterparty to any Swap Agreement the obligations under which constitute Secured Swap Obligations, (g) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (h) the permitted successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

Secured Swap Obligations ” means the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of Holdings, the Parent Borrower, and the Subsidiaries under each Swap Agreement that (a) is with a counterparty that is the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates, (b) is in effect on the Effective Date with a counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender as of the Effective Date or (c) is entered into after the Effective Date with any counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into.

Security Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(a).

Supplement ” means an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent, and in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Trademark License ” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Person any right to use any Trademark now or hereafter owned by any other Person or that any other Person otherwise has the right to license, and all rights of any such Person under any such agreement.

Trademark Security Agreement ” means the trademark security agreement in the form of Exhibit IV.

Trademarks ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person: (a) all trademarks, service marks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, trade dress, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of like nature, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations thereof, and all registration and applications filed in connection therewith, including registrations and applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar offices in any State of the United States or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, and all extensions or renewals thereof, including, in the case of any Grantor, any of the foregoing set forth next to its name on Schedule III, (b) all goodwill associated therewith or symbolized thereby and (c) all other assets, rights and interests that uniquely reflect or embody such goodwill.

ARTICLE II

Pledge of Securities

SECTION 2.01. Pledge . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of all Non-Revolving Obligations, each Grantor hereby assigns and pledges to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties (other than the Revolving Secured Parties) and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, its successor and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties (other than the Revolving Secured Parties) a security interest in the Pledged Collateral. As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of all

 

 

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Revolving Obligations, each Grantor hereby assigns and pledges to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Revolving Secured Parties and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Revolving Secured Parties a security interest in the Pledged Collateral. “ Pledged Collateral ” shall mean the collective reference to the following: all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under (a)(i) the shares of capital stock and other Equity Interests owned by such Grantor, including those listed opposite the name of such Grantor on Schedule II, (ii) any other Equity Interests obtained in the future by such Grantor and (iii) the certificates (if any) representing all such Equity Interests (collectively, the “ Pledged Equity Interests ”); provided that the Pledged Equity Interests shall not include (A) Equity Interests of any Person that is not a direct or indirect, wholly owned Subsidiary of Holdings to the extent a security interest therein is prohibited by the terms of such Person’s Organizational Documents, (B) any Equity Interest with respect to which Holdings shall have provided to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that, based on advice of outside counsel or tax advisors of national recognition, the pledge of such Equity Interest hereunder would result in adverse tax consequences to Holdings and the Subsidiaries (other than on account of any Taxes payable in connection with filings, recordings, registrations, stampings and any similar acts in connection with the creation or perfection of the Liens granted hereunder) that shall have been determined by Holdings to be material to Holdings and the Subsidiaries, (C) any Equity Interest if, to the extent and for so long as the pledge of such Equity Interest hereunder is prohibited by any applicable Requirement of Law (other than to the extent that any such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to the New York UCC or any other applicable Requirements of Law); provided that such Equity Interest shall cease to be an Excluded Equity Interest at such time as such prohibition ceases to be in effect; and (D) any Equity Interest that the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall have agreed in writing to treat as an Excluded Equity Interest for purposes hereof on account of the cost of pledging such Equity Interest hereunder (including any adverse tax consequences to Holdings and the Subsidiaries resulting therefrom) being excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom (the Equity Interests excluded pursuant to clauses (A) through (D) above being referred to as the “ Excluded Equity Interests ”); (b)(i) the debt securities owned by such Grantor, including those listed opposite the name of such Grantor on Schedule II, (ii) any debt securities in the future issued to or otherwise acquired by such Grantor and (iii) the promissory notes and any other instruments evidencing all such debt securities (collectively, the “ Pledged Debt Securities ”); (c) all other property that may be delivered to and held by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of this Section 2.01 and Section 2.02; (d) subject to Section 2.06, all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other Proceeds received in respect of, the securities referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; (e) subject to Section 2.06, all rights and privileges of such Grantor with respect to the securities and other property referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) above; and (f) all Proceeds of any of the foregoing.

SECTION 2.02. Delivery of the Pledged Collateral .

(a) Each Grantor agrees to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent any and all Pledged Securities (i) on the date hereof, in the case of any such Pledged Securities owned by such Grantor on the date hereof, and (ii) promptly (and in any event within 45 days or such later date as the Administrative Agent reasonably agrees) after the acquisition thereof, in the case of any such Pledged Securities acquired by such Grantor after the date hereof.

(b) As promptly as practicable, and in any event within 30 days after the Effective Date, each Grantor will cause any Indebtedness for borrowed money (including in respect of cash management arrangements) owed to such Grantor by Holdings, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in a principal amount in excess of the US Dollar Equivalent of $5,000,000 to be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note (including, if such security interest can be perfected therein, a grid note) that is pledged and delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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(c) Upon delivery to the Administrative Agent, (i) any certificate or promissory note representing Pledged Securities shall be accompanied by undated stock or note powers, as applicable, duly executed in blank or other undated instruments of transfer duly executed in blank and reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and by such other instruments and documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (ii) all other property comprising part of the Pledged Collateral shall be accompanied by undated proper instruments of assignment duly executed in blank by the applicable Grantor and such other instruments and documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request. Each delivery of Pledged Securities shall be accompanied by a schedule describing such Pledged Securities, which schedule shall be deemed attached to, and shall supplement, Schedule II and be made a part hereof; provided that failure to provide any such schedule hereto shall not affect the validity of such pledge of such Pledged Securities.

SECTION 2.03. Representations, Warranties and Covenants . The Grantors jointly and severally represent, warrant and covenant to and with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

(a) as of the Effective Date, Schedule II sets forth a true and complete list, with respect to each Grantor, of (i) all the Equity Interests owned by such Grantor in any Subsidiary and the percentage of the issued and outstanding units of each class of the Equity Interests of the issuer thereof represented by the Pledged Equity Interests owned by such Grantor and (ii) all the Pledged Debt Securities owned by such Grantor;

(b) the Pledged Equity Interests and the Pledged Debt Securities have been duly and validly authorized and issued by the issuers thereof and (i) in the case of Pledged Equity Interests, are fully paid and nonassessable and (ii) in the case of Pledged Debt Securities, are legal, valid and binding obligations of the issuers thereof, except to the extent that enforceability of such obligations may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditor’s rights generally; provided that the foregoing representations, insofar as they relate to the Pledged Debt Securities issued by a Person other than the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary, are made to the knowledge of the Grantors;

(c) except for the security interests granted hereunder and under any other Loan Documents, each of the Grantors (i) is and, subject to any transfers made in compliance with the Credit Agreement, will continue to be the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Securities indicated on Schedule II as owned by such Grantor, (ii) holds the same free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement and transfers made in compliance with the Credit Agreement, (iii) will make no further assignment, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of, or create or permit to exist any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Collateral, other than Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement and transfers made in compliance with the Credit Agreement, and (iv) will defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than the Liens created by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement), however arising, of all Persons whomsoever;

(d) except for restrictions and limitations imposed by the Loan Documents or securities laws generally, the Pledged Equity Interests and, to the extent issued by Holdings or any Subsidiary, the Pledged Debt Securities are and will continue to be freely transferable and assignable, and none of the Pledged Equity Interests and, to the extent issued the Parent Borrower

 

 

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or any Subsidiary, the Pledged Debt Securities are or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal, shareholders agreement, charter, by-law or other organizational document provisions or contractual restriction of any nature that might prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect in any manner adverse to the Secured Parties in any material respect the pledge of such Pledged Collateral hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Administrative Agent of rights and remedies hereunder;

(e) each of the Grantors has the power and authority to pledge the Pledged Collateral pledged by it hereunder in the manner hereby done or contemplated; and

(f) by virtue of the execution and delivery by the Grantors of this Agreement, when any Pledged Securities are delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with this Agreement, the Administrative Agent will obtain a legal, valid and perfected lien upon and security interest in such Pledged Securities, free of any adverse claims, under the New York UCC to the extent such lien and security interest may be created and perfected under the New York UCC, as security for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations.

SECTION 2.04. [Reserved] .

SECTION 2.05. Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Grantors of its intent to exercise such rights, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to hold the Pledged Securities in the name of the applicable Grantor, endorsed or assigned in blank or in favor of the Administrative Agent or in its own name as pledgee or in the name of its nominee (as pledgee or as sub-agent), and each Grantor will promptly give to the Administrative Agent copies of any notices or other communications received by it with respect to Pledged Securities registered in the name of such Grantor. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall at all times have the right to exchange the certificates representing Pledged Securities for certificates of smaller or larger denominations for any reasonable purpose consistent with this Agreement.

SECTION 2.06. Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest .

(a) Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Grantors that their rights under this Section 2.06 are being suspended:

(i) each Grantor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Securities or any part thereof for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that such rights and powers shall not be exercised in any manner that could materially and adversely affect the rights inuring to a holder of any Pledged Securities or the rights and remedies of any of the Administrative Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the ability of the Secured Parties to exercise the same;

(ii) the Administrative Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to each Grantor, or cause to be promptly executed and delivered to such Grantor, all such proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments as such Grantor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Grantor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section;

 

 

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(iii) each Grantor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Securities to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are permitted by, and are otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and applicable laws; provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Equity Interests or Pledged Debt Securities, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests in the issuer of any Pledged Securities or received in exchange for Pledged Securities or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become part of the Pledged Collateral and, if received by any Grantor, shall not be commingled by such Grantor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties and shall be forthwith delivered to the Administrative Agent in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsements, stock or note powers and other instruments of transfer reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent).

(b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, after the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Grantors of the suspension of their rights under paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06, all rights of any Grantor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Grantor is authorized to receive pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06 shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Administrative Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions. All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by any Grantor contrary to the provisions of this Section 2.06 shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be segregated from other property or funds of such Grantor and shall be forthwith delivered to the Administrative Agent upon demand in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsements, stock or note powers and other instruments of transfer reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent). Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Administrative Agent in an account to be established by the Administrative Agent upon receipt of such money or other property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Parent Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower to that effect, the Administrative Agent shall promptly repay to each Grantor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Grantor would otherwise be permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 2.06 and that remain in such account.

(c) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, after the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Grantors of the suspension of their rights under paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06, all rights of any Grantor to exercise the voting and consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06, and the obligations of the Administrative Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.06, shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Administrative Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and powers; provided that, unless otherwise directed by the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Grantors to exercise such rights. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Parent Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower to that effect, all rights vested in the Administrative Agent pursuant to this paragraph (c) shall cease, and the Grantors shall have the exclusive right to exercise the voting and consensual rights and powers they would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.06.

 

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(d) Any notice given by the Administrative Agent to the Grantors suspending their rights under paragraph (a) of this Section 2.06 (i) may be given by telephone if promptly confirmed in writing, (ii) may be given with respect to one or more of the Grantors at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights of the Grantors under paragraph (a)(i) or paragraph (a)(iii) in part without suspending all such rights (as specified by the Administrative Agent in its sole and absolute discretion) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Administrative Agent’s rights to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

ARTICLE III

Security Interests in Personal Property

SECTION 3.01. Security Interest .

(a) As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, each Grantor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “ Security Interest ”) in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under any and all of the following assets now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “ Article 9 Collateral ”):

(I) all Accounts;

(II) all Chattel Paper;

(III) all Cash and Deposit Accounts;

(IV) all Documents;

(V) all Equipment;

(VI) all General Intangibles, including all Intellectual Property;

(VII) all Instruments;

(VIII) all Inventory;

(IX) all other Goods and Fixtures;

(X) all Investment Property;

(XI) all Letter-of-Credit Rights;

(XII) all Commercial Tort Claims specifically described on Schedule IV hereto, as such schedule may be supplemented from time to time pursuant to Section 3.04(d);

(XIII) all books and records pertaining to the Article 9 Collateral; and

 

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(XIV) to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing;

provided that in no event shall the Security Interest attach to (A) any lease, license, contract or agreement to which a Grantor is a party or any of its rights or interests thereunder if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of such security interest shall constitute or result in a breach or termination pursuant to the terms of, or a default under, any such lease, license, contract or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective, or is otherwise unenforceable, pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the New York UCC or any other applicable Requirement of Law); provided that, to the extent severable, the Security Interest shall attach immediately to any portion of such lease, license, contract or agreement that does not result in any such breach, termination or default, including any Proceeds of such lease, license, contract or agreement; (B) any motor vehicle or other asset covered by a certificate of title or ownership, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, the perfection of which is excluded from the UCC in the relevant jurisdiction; (C) any asset owned by any Grantor that is subject to a Lien of the type permitted by Section 6.02(iv) of the Credit Agreement (whether or not incurred pursuant to such Section) or a Lien permitted by Section 6.02(xi) of the Credit Agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective, or is otherwise unenforceable, pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the New York UCC or any other applicable Requirement of Law), in each case if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon hereunder to secure the Secured Obligations constitutes a breach of or a default under any agreement pursuant to which such Lien has been created; provided that the Security Interest shall attach immediately to any such asset (x) at the time the provision of such agreement containing such restriction ceases to be in effect and (y) to the extent any such breach or default is not rendered ineffective by, or is otherwise unenforceable under, any Requirements of Law; (D) any asset owned by any Grantor with respect to which Holdings shall have provided to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that, based on advice of outside counsel or tax advisors of national recognition, the creation of such security interest in such asset hereunder would result in adverse tax consequences to Holdings and the Subsidiaries (other than on account of any Taxes payable in connection with filings, recordings, registrations, stampings and any similar acts in connection with the creation or perfection of the Liens granted hereunder) that shall have been determined by Holdings to be material to Holdings and the Subsidiaries; (E) any asset owned by any Grantor if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of such security interest in such asset shall be prohibited by any applicable Requirements of Law (other than to the extent that any such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to the New York UCC or any other applicable Requirements of Law); provided that the Security Interest shall attach immediately to such asset at such time as such prohibition ceases to be in effect; (F) any asset owned by any Grantor that the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall have agreed in writing to exclude from being Article 9 Collateral on account of the cost of creating a security interest in such asset hereunder (including any adverse tax consequences to Holdings and the Subsidiaries resulting therefrom) being excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom; (G) any intent-to-use trademark applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office; and (H) the Excluded Equity Interests (it being understood that, to the extent the Security Interest shall not have attached to any such asset as a result of clauses (A) through (H) above, the term “Article 9 Collateral” shall not include any such asset). In each case to the extent a security interest therein cannot be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law.

(b) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent at any time and from time to time to file in any relevant jurisdiction any initial financing statements (including fixture filings) with respect to the Article 9 Collateral or any part thereof and amendments thereto that (i) describe the collateral covered thereby in any manner that the Administrative Agent reasonably determines is necessary or advisable to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Article 9

 

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Collateral granted under this Agreement, including indicating the Collateral as “all assets” of such Grantor or words of similar effect, and (ii) contain the information required by Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or the analogous legislation of each applicable jurisdiction for the filing of any financing statement or amendment, including (A) whether such Grantor is an organization, the type of organization and any organizational identification number issued to such Grantor and (B) in the case of a financing statement filed as a fixture filing, a sufficient description of the real property to which such Article 9 Collateral relates. Each Grantor agrees to provide such information to the Administrative Agent promptly upon request.

Each Grantor also ratifies its authorization for the Administrative Agent to file in any relevant jurisdiction any initial financing statements or amendments thereto with respect to the Article 9 Collateral or any part thereof naming any Grantor as debtor or the Grantors as debtors and the Administrative Agent as secured party, if filed prior to the date hereof.

The Administrative Agent is further authorized to file with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office (or any successor office or any similar office in any other country) such documents as may be reasonably necessary or advisable for the purpose of perfecting, confirming, continuing, enforcing or protecting the Security Interest in Article 9 Collateral consisting of Patents, Trademarks or Copyrights granted by each Grantor and naming any Grantor or the Grantors as debtors and the Administrative Agent as secured party.

(c) The Security Interest and the security interest granted pursuant to Article II are granted as security only and shall not subject the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party to, or in any way alter or modify, any obligation or liability of any Grantor with respect to or arising out of the Collateral.

SECTION 3.02. Representations and Warranties . The Grantors jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

(a) Each Grantor has good and valid rights in and title to the Article 9 Collateral with respect to which it has purported to grant a Security Interest hereunder, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes, in each case except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and has full power and authority to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Security Interest in such Article 9 Collateral pursuant hereto and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without the consent or approval of any other Person other than any consent or approval that has been obtained and except to the extent that failure to obtain or make such consent or approval, as the case may be, individually or in aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Perfection Certificate has been duly prepared, completed and executed and the information set forth therein, including the exact legal name and jurisdiction of organization of each Grantor, is correct and complete in all material respects as of the Effective Date. The Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (including fixture filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations prepared by the Administrative Agent based upon the information provided to the Administrative Agent in the Perfection Certificate for filing in each governmental, municipal or other office specified in Schedule 2 to the Perfection Certificate (or specified by notice from the Parent Borrower to the Administrative Agent after the Effective Date in the case of filings, recordings or registrations required by Section 5.03 or 5.12 of the

 

 

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Credit Agreement), are all the filings, recordings and registrations (other than filings required to be made in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office in order to perfect the Security Interest in Article 9 Collateral consisting of United States Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights) that are necessary to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in respect of all Article 9 Collateral in which the Security Interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registration in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions, and no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration or reregistration is necessary in any such jurisdiction, except as provided under applicable law with respect to the filing of continuation statements (other than such actions as are necessary to perfect the Security Interest with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of registered or applied for Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights acquired or developed by a Grantor after the date hereof). The Grantors represent and warrant that a fully executed Patent Security Agreement, Trademark Security Agreement and Copyright Security Agreement, in each case containing a description of the Article 9 Collateral consisting of United States registered Patents, United States registered Trademarks and United States registered Copyrights (and applications for any of the foregoing), as applicable, and executed by each Grantor owning any such Article 9 Collateral, have been delivered to the Administrative Agent for recording with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 261, 15 U.S.C. § 1060 or 17 U.S.C. § 205 and the regulations thereunder, as applicable, and otherwise as may be required pursuant to the laws of any other necessary jurisdiction, to protect the validity of and to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in respect of all Article 9 Collateral consisting of Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights in which a security interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registration in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions, and no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration or reregistration is necessary (other than such actions as are necessary to perfect the Security Interest with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of registered or applied for Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights acquired or developed by a Grantor after the date hereof).

(c) The Security Interest constitutes (i) a legal and valid security interest in all the Article 9 Collateral securing the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, (ii) subject to the filings described in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.02, a perfected security interest in all Article 9 Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registering a financing statement or analogous document in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law in such jurisdictions and (iii) subject to the filings described in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.02, a security interest that shall be perfected in all Article 9 Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected upon the receipt and recording of a Patent Security Agreement, a Trademark Security Agreement and a Copyright Security Agreement with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, within the three-month period after the date hereof pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 261 or 15 U.S.C. § 1060 or the one-month period after the date hereof pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 205. The Security Interest is and shall be prior to any other Lien on any of the Article 9 Collateral, other than Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement.

(d) The Article 9 Collateral is owned by the Grantors free and clear of any Lien, except for Liens expressly permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement. None of the Grantors has filed or consented to the filing of (i) any financing statement or analogous document under the Uniform Commercial Code or any other applicable laws covering any Article 9 Collateral, (ii) any assignment in which any Grantor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or

 

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any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office or (iii) any assignment in which any Grantor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with any foreign governmental, municipal or other office, which financing statement or analogous document, assignment, security agreement or similar instrument is still in effect, except, in each case, for Liens expressly permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 3.03. Covenants .

(a) Each Grantor shall, at its own expense, take any and all commercially reasonable actions necessary to defend title to the Article 9 Collateral against all Persons, except with respect to Article 9 Collateral that such Grantor determines in its reasonable business judgment is no longer necessary or beneficial to the conduct of such Grantor’s business, and to defend the Security Interest of the Administrative Agent in the Article 9 Collateral and the priority thereof against any Lien not permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement, subject to the rights of such Grantor under Section 9.15 of the Credit Agreement and corresponding provisions of the Security Documents to obtain a release of the Liens created under the Security Documents.

(b) Each Grantor agrees, at its own expense, to execute, acknowledge, deliver and cause to be duly filed all such further instruments and documents and take all such actions as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request to better assure, preserve, protect and perfect the Security Interest and the rights and remedies created hereby, including the payment of any fees and Taxes required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the granting of the Security Interest and the filing of any financing statements (including fixture filings) or other documents in connection herewith or therewith. If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Article 9 Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any promissory note (which may be a global note) or other instrument (other than any promissory note or other instrument in an aggregate principal amount of less than $5,000,000 owed to the applicable Grantor by any Person), such note or instrument shall be promptly pledged and delivered to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, together with an undated instrument of transfer duly executed in blank and in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent, with prompt written notice thereof to the Grantors, to supplement this Agreement by supplementing Schedule III or adding additional schedules hereto to identify specifically any asset or item that may constitute an application or registration for any Copyright, Patent or Trademark; provided that any Grantor shall have the right, exercisable within 10 days (or such longer period as shall be agreed by the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent) after it has been notified in writing by the Administrative Agent of the specific identification of such Collateral, to advise the Administrative Agent in writing of any inaccuracy (i) with respect to such supplement or additional schedule or (ii) of the representations and warranties made by such Grantor hereunder with respect to such Collateral. Each Grantor agrees that, at the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, it will use commercially reasonable efforts to take such action as shall be reasonably necessary in order that all representations and warranties hereunder shall be true and correct with respect to such Collateral within 10 days (or such longer period as shall be agreed by the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent) after the date it has been notified in writing by the Administrative Agent of the specific identification of such Collateral.

 

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(c) At its option, the Administrative Agent may discharge past due taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on the Article 9 Collateral and not permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement, and may pay for the maintenance and preservation of the Article 9 Collateral to the extent any Grantor fails to do so as required by the Credit Agreement, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and within a reasonable period of time after the Administrative Agent has requested that it do so, and each Grantor jointly and severally agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand, for any reasonable payment made or any reasonable expense incurred by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the foregoing authorization; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be interpreted as excusing any Grantor from the performance of, or imposing any obligation on the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party to cure or perform, any covenants or other promises of any Grantor with respect to taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances and maintenance as set forth herein or in the other Loan Documents.

(d) Each Grantor shall remain liable, as between such Grantor and the relevant counterparty under each contract, agreement or instrument relating to the Article 9 Collateral, to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it under such contract, agreement or instrument, all in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof, and each Grantor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties from and against any and all liability for such performance.

(e) It is understood that no Grantor shall be required by this Agreement to perfect the security interests created hereunder by any means other than (i) filings pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code, (ii) filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office (or any successor office) in respect of registered Intellectual Property ( provided that, with respect to Licenses, such filings shall be limited to exclusive Copyright Licenses under which such Grantor is a licensee) and (iii) in the case of Collateral that constitutes Tangible Chattel Paper, Pledged Securities, Instruments, Certificated Securities or Negotiable Documents, delivery thereof to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms hereof (together with, where applicable, undated stock or note powers or other undated proper instruments of assignment). No Grantor shall be required to deliver control agreements with respect to Deposit Accounts and other bank or securities accounts.

(f) Each Grantor irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent (and all officers, employees or agents designated by the Administrative Agent) as such Grantor’s true and lawful agent (and attorney-in-fact) for the purpose, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice to the Parent Borrower of its intent to exercise such rights, of making, settling and adjusting claims in respect of Article 9 Collateral under policies of insurance, endorsing the name of such Grantor on any check, draft, instrument or other item of payment for the proceeds of such policies of insurance and for making all determinations and decisions with respect thereto. In the event that any Grantor at any time or times shall fail to obtain or maintain any of the policies of insurance required hereby or to pay any premium in whole or part relating thereto, the Administrative Agent may, without waiving or releasing any obligation or liability of the Grantors hereunder or any Default or Event of Default, in its sole discretion, obtain and maintain such policies of insurance and pay such premium and take any other actions with respect thereto as the Administrative Agent reasonably deems advisable. All sums disbursed by the Administrative Agent in connection with this paragraph, including reasonable out-of- pocket attorneys’ fees, court costs, expenses and other charges relating thereto, shall be payable, within 10 days of demand, by the Grantors to the Administrative Agent and shall be additional Secured Obligations secured hereby.

 

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SECTION 3.04. Other Actions . In order to further insure the attachment, perfection and priority of, and the ability of the Administrative Agent to enforce, the Security Interest, each Grantor agrees, in each case at such Grantor’s own expense, to take the following actions with respect to the following Article 9 Collateral:

(a) Instruments . If any Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire any Instruments constituting Collateral (other than Instruments with a face amount of less than $5,000,000 and other than checks to be deposited in the ordinary course of business), such Grantor shall promptly endorse, assign and deliver the same to the Administrative Agent, accompanied by such undated instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

(b) Investment Property . Except to the extent otherwise provided in Article II, if any Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire any certificated securities, such Grantor shall forthwith endorse, assign and deliver the same to the Administrative Agent, accompanied by such undated instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

(c) Letter-of-Credit Rights . If any Grantor is at any time a beneficiary under a letter of credit with an aggregate face amount in excess of $5,000,000 now or hereafter issued in favor of such Grantor that is not a Supporting Obligation with respect to any of the Collateral, such Grantor shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof and, at the request and option of the Administrative Agent, such Grantor shall, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, either (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for the issuer and any confirmer of such letter of credit to consent to an assignment to the Administrative Agent of the proceeds of any drawing under such letter of credit or (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for the Administrative Agent to become the transferee beneficiary of such letter of credit, with the Administrative Agent agreeing, in each case, that the proceeds of any drawing under such letter of credit are to be paid to the applicable Grantor unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

(d) Commercial Tort Claims . If any Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire a Commercial Tort Claim in an amount reasonably estimated to exceed $5,000,000, such Grantor shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof in a writing signed by such Grantor, including a summary description of such claim, and Schedule IV shall be deemed to be supplemented to include such description of such commercial tort claim as set forth in such writing.

SECTION 3.05. Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral .

(a) Except to the extent failure so to act could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect of the type referred to in clause (a) or (b) of the definition of such term in the Credit Agreement, with respect to registration or pending application of each item of its Intellectual Property for which such Grantor has standing to do so, each Grantor agrees (i) to maintain the validity and enforceability of any registered Intellectual Property (or applications therefor) and to maintain such registrations and applications of Intellectual Property in full force and effect and (ii) to pursue the registration and maintenance of each Patent, Trademark or Copyright registration or application, now or hereafter included in the Intellectual Property of such Grantor, including the payment of required fees and taxes, the filing of responses to office actions issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office or other governmental authorities, the filing of applications for renewal or extension, the filing of affidavits under Sections 8 and 15 of the U.S. Trademark Act, the filing of divisional, continuation, continuation-in-part, reissue and renewal applications or extensions, the payment of maintenance fees and the participation in interference, reexamination, opposition, cancellation, infringement and misappropriation proceedings.

 

 

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(b) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect of the type referred to in clause (a) or (b) of the definition of such term in the Credit Agreement, no Grantor shall do or permit any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby any of its Intellectual Property may lapse, be terminated, or become invalid or unenforceable or placed in the public domain (or in case of a trade secret, lose its competitive value).

(c) Except where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect of the type referred to in clause (a) or (b) of the definition of such term in the Credit Agreement, each Grantor shall take all steps to preserve and protect each item of its Intellectual Property, including maintaining the quality of any and all products or services used or provided in connection with any of the Trademarks, consistent with the quality of the products and services as of the date hereof, and taking all steps necessary to ensure that all licensed users of any of the Trademarks abide by the applicable license’s terms with respect to the standards of quality.

(d) Each Grantor agrees that, should it obtain an ownership or other interest in any Intellectual Property after the Effective Date, (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall automatically apply thereto and (ii) any such Intellectual Property and, in the case of Trademarks, the goodwill symbolized thereby, shall automatically become Intellectual Property subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement .

(e) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent any Grantor from disposing of, discontinuing the use or maintenance of, failing to pursue or otherwise allowing to lapse, terminate or put into the public domain any of its Intellectual Property to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement if such Grantor determines in its reasonable business judgment that such discontinuance is desirable in the conduct of its business.

ARTICLE IV

Remedies

SECTION 4.01. Remedies upon Default . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor agrees to deliver, on demand, each item of Collateral to the Administrative Agent or any Person designated by the Administrative Agent, and it is agreed that the Administrative Agent shall have the right to take any of or all the following actions at the same or different times: (a) with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property, on demand, to cause the Security Interest to become an assignment, transfer and conveyance of any of or all such Article 9 Collateral by the applicable Grantors to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, or to license or sublicense, whether on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis, any such Article 9 Collateral throughout the world on such terms and conditions and in such manner as the Administrative Agent shall determine (other than in violation of any then-existing licensing arrangements to the extent that waivers cannot be obtained), and (b) with or without legal process and with or without demand for performance but with notice (which need not be prior notice), to take possession of the Article 9 Collateral and the Pledged Collateral and without liability for trespass to enter any premises where the Article 9 Collateral or the Pledged Collateral may be located for the purpose of taking possession of or removing the Article 9 Collateral and the Pledged Collateral and, generally, to exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor agrees that the Administrative Agent shall have the right, subject to the mandatory requirements of applicable law and the notice requirements described below, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at a public or private sale or at any broker’s board or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate. The Administrative Agent shall be authorized at any such

 

 

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sale of securities (if it deems it advisable to do so) to restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers to Persons who will represent and agree that they are purchasing the Collateral for their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof, and upon consummation of any such sale the Administrative Agent shall have the right to assign, transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any sale of Collateral shall hold the property sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of any Grantor, and each Grantor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay and appraisal that such Grantor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

The Administrative Agent shall give the applicable Grantors no less than 10 days’ written notice (which each Grantor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Administrative Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral. Such notice, in the case of a public sale, shall state the time and place for such sale and, in the case of a sale at a broker’s board or on a securities exchange, shall state the board or exchange at which such sale is to be made and the day on which the Collateral or portion thereof, will first be offered for sale at such board or exchange. Any such public sale shall be held at such time or times within ordinary business hours and at such place or places as the Administrative Agent may fix and state in the notice (if any) of such sale. At any such sale, the Collateral, or portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Administrative Agent may (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine. The Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given. The Administrative Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In case any sale of all or any part of the Collateral is made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may be retained by the Administrative Agent until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties shall not incur any liability in case any such purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon like notice. At any public (or, to the extent permitted by law, private) sale made pursuant to this Agreement, any Secured Party may bid for or purchase, free (to the extent permitted by law) from any right of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the part of any Grantor (all said rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by law), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for sale and may make payment on account thereof by using any claim then due and payable to such Secured Party from any Grantor as a credit against the purchase price, and such Secured Party may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to any Grantor therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Administrative Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and no Grantor shall be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Administrative Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Secured Obligations paid in full. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Administrative Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court- appointed receiver. Any sale pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.01 shall be deemed to conform to the commercially reasonable standards as provided in Section 9-610(b) of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions.

 

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SECTION 4.02. Application of Proceeds . The Administrative Agent shall apply the proceeds of any collection or sale of Collateral, including any Collateral consisting of cash, as follows:

FIRST, to the payment of all costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with such collection or sale or otherwise in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any of the Secured Obligations, including all court costs and the fees and expenses of its agents and legal counsel, the repayment of all advances made by the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document on behalf of any Grantor and any other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

SECOND, to the payment in full of the Revolving Obligations (the amounts so applied to be distributed among the Revolving Secured Parties pro rata in accordance with the amounts of the Revolving Obligations owed to them on the date of any such distribution); and

THIRD, to the payment in full of the Non-Revolving Obligations (the amounts so applied to be distributed among the Non-Revolving Secured Parties pro rata in accordance with the amounts of the Non-Revolving Obligations owed to them on the date of any such distribution); and

FOURTH, to the Grantors, their successors or assigns, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.

The Administrative Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Administrative Agent (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the Administrative Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Administrative Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.

SECTION 4.03. Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property . For the purpose of enabling the Administrative Agent to exercise rights and remedies under this Agreement, each Grantor shall, upon request by the Administrative Agent solely during the continuance of an Event of Default, grant to the Administrative Agent an irrevocable, nonexclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to the Grantors) to use, license or sublicense any of the Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, and wherever the same may be located, and including in such license reasonable access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof to the extent that such non-exclusive license (a) does not violate the express terms of any agreement between a Grantor and a third party governing the applicable Grantor’s use of such Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property, or gives such third party any right of acceleration, modification or cancellation therein and (b) is not prohibited by any Requirements of Law; provided that such licenses to be granted hereunder with respect to Trademarks shall be subject to the maintenance of quality standards with respect to the goods and services on which such Trademarks are used sufficient to preserve the validity of such Trademarks. The use of such license by the Administrative Agent may be exercised, at the option of the Administrative Agent, during the continuation of an Event of Default; provided further that any license, sublicense or other transaction entered into by the Administrative Agent in accordance herewith shall be binding upon the Grantors notwithstanding any subsequent cure of an Event of Default.

 

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SECTION 4.04. Securities Act . In view of the position of the Grantors in relation to the Pledged Collateral, or because of other current or future circumstances, a question may arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as now or hereafter in effect, or any similar statute hereafter enacted analogous in purpose or effect (such Act and any such similar statute as from time to time in effect being called the “ Federal Securities Laws ”) with respect to any disposition of the Pledged Collateral permitted hereunder. Each Grantor understands that compliance with the Federal Securities Laws might very strictly limit the course of conduct of the Administrative Agent if the Administrative Agent were to attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Pledged Collateral, and might also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any subsequent transferee of any Pledged Collateral could dispose of the same. Similarly, there may be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting the Administrative Agent in any attempt to dispose of all or part of the Pledged Collateral under applicable blue sky or other state securities laws or similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. Each Grantor recognizes that in light of such restrictions and limitations the Administrative Agent may, with respect to any sale of the Pledged Collateral, limit the purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire such Pledged Collateral for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that in light of such restrictions and limitations, the Administrative Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, (a) may proceed to make such a sale whether or not a registration statement for the purpose of registering such Pledged Collateral or part thereof shall have been filed under the Federal Securities Laws to the extent the Administrative Agent has determined that such a registration is not required by any Requirement of Law and (b) may approach and negotiate with a limited number of potential purchasers (including a single potential purchaser) to effect such sale. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that any such sale might result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale without such restrictions. In the event of any such sale, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Collateral at a price that the Administrative Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, may in good faith deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a limited number of purchasers (or a single purchaser) were approached. The provisions of this Section 4.04 will apply notwithstanding the existence of a public or private market upon which the quotations or sales prices may exceed substantially the price at which the Administrative Agent sells.

ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous

SECTION 5.01 Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to any Grantor shall be given to it in care of Holdings as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5.02 Waivers; Amendment .

(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 5.02, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time. No notice or demand on any Loan Party in any case shall entitle any Loan Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

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(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Grantor or Grantors with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement; provided that the Administrative Agent may, without the consent of any Secured Party, consent to a departure by any Grantor from any covenant of such Grantor set forth herein to the extent such departure is consistent with the authority of the Administrative Agent set forth in the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” in the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5.03 Administrative Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .

(a) Each Grantor, jointly with the other Grantors and severally, agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for its fees and expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 9.03(a) of the Credit Agreement; provided that each reference therein to the “Parent Borrower” shall be deemed to be a reference to “each Grantor”.

(b) Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Loan Documents, each Grantor, jointly with the other Grantors and severally, agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent and the other Indemnitees against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether brought by a third party or by Holdings or any Subsidiary and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of, or a breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties.

(c) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Grantor shall assert, and each Grantor hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such damages are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of, or a breach of the Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties, or (ii) on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(d) The provisions of this Section 5.03 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, the repayment of any of the Secured Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of any Secured Party. All amounts due under this Section shall be

 

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payable not later than 10 Business Days after written demand therefor; provided , however , any Indemnitee shall promptly refund an indemnification payment received hereunder to the extent that there is a final judicial determination that such Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification with respect to such payment pursuant to this Section 5.03. Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Secured Obligations.

SECTION 5.04 Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Grantor or the Administrative Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 5.05 Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in this Agreement or any other Loan Document and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Secured Parties and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Secured Party and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Secured Party may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and shall continue in full force and effect until such time as (a) all the Loan Document Obligations (including LC Disbursements, if any, but excluding contingent obligations as to which no claim has been made) have been paid in full in cash, (b) all Commitments have terminated or expired and (c) the LC Exposure has been reduced to zero (including as a result of obtaining the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank as described in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement) and the Issuing Banks have no further obligation to issue or amend Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5.06 Counterparts; Effectiveness; Several Agreement . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective as to any Grantor when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such Grantor shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Administrative Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such Grantor and the Administrative Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such Grantor, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective successors and assigns, except that no Grantor shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as expressly provided in this Agreement and the Credit Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each Grantor and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released with respect to any Grantor without the approval of any other Grantor and without affecting the obligations of any other Grantor hereunder.

SECTION 5.07 Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

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SECTION 5.08 Right of Set-Off . If an Event of Default under Sections 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) of the Credit Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Grantor against any of and all the obligations of such Grantor then due and owing under this Agreement held by such Lender or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or such Issuing Bank different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness. The applicable Lender and Issuing Bank shall notify the applicable Grantor and the Administrative Agent of such setoff and application; provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such setoff and application under this Section 5.08. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section 5.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates may have.

SECTION 5.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Appointment of Service of Process Agent .

(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against any Grantor or its respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 5.01. Nothing in any Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

E-23


(e) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers the Parent Borrower as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and in respect of its property, service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents that may be served in any such action or proceeding.

SECTION 5.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.10.

SECTION 5.11 Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 5.12 Security Interest Absolute . All rights of the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Security Interest, the grant of a security interest in the Pledged Collateral and all obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Secured Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Secured Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument, (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Secured Obligations or (d) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Grantor in respect of the Secured Obligations or this Agreement.

SECTION 5.13 Termination or Release .

(a) This Agreement, the Security Interest and all other security interests granted hereby shall terminate when (i) all the Loan Document Obligations (including all LC Disbursements, if any, but excluding contingent obligations as to which no claim has been made) have been paid in full in cash, (ii) all Commitments have terminated or expired and (iii) the LC Exposure has been reduced to zero (including as a result of obtaining the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank as described in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement) and the Issuing Banks have no further obligation to issue or amend Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement.

(b) The Security Interest and all other security interests granted hereby shall also terminate and be released at the time or times and in the manner set forth in Section 9.15 of the Credit Agreement. A Subsidiary Loan party shall also be released from its obligations under this Agreement at the time or times and in the manner set forth in Section 9.15 of the Credit Agreement.

 

 

E-24


(c) In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 5.14 Additional Subsidiaries . Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, additional Subsidiaries may or may be required to become Grantors after the date hereof. Upon execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent and a Subsidiary of a Supplement, any such Subsidiary shall become a Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as such herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other Grantor hereunder. The rights and obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any Subsidiary as a party to this Agreement.

SECTION 5.15 Administrative Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact . Each Grantor hereby appoints the Administrative Agent the attorney-in-fact of such Grantor for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof at any time after and during the continuance of an Event of Default, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall have the right, but only upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and notice by the Administrative Agent to the Parent Borrower of its intent to exercise such rights, with full power of substitution either in the Administrative Agent’s name or in the name of such Grantor (a) to receive, endorse, assign and/or deliver any and all notes, acceptances, checks, drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment relating to the Collateral or any part thereof; (b) to demand, collect, receive payment of, give receipt for and give discharges and releases of all or any of the Collateral; (c) to sign the name of any Grantor on any invoice or bill of lading relating to any of the Collateral; (d) to send verifications of Accounts Receivable to any Account Debtor; (e) to commence and prosecute any and all suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect or otherwise realize on all or any of the Collateral or to enforce any rights in respect of any Collateral; (f) to settle, compromise, compound, adjust or defend any actions, suits or proceedings relating to all or any of the Collateral; (g) to notify, or to require any Grantor to notify, Account Debtors to make payment directly to the Administrative Agent; and (h) to use, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with all or any of the Collateral, and to do all other acts and things necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, as fully and completely as though the Administrative Agent were the absolute owner of the Collateral for all purposes; provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring or obligating the Administrative Agent to make any commitment or to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by the Administrative Agent, or to present or file any claim or notice, or to take any action with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof or the moneys due or to become due in respect thereof or any property covered thereby. The Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts actually received as a result of the exercise of the powers granted to them herein, and neither they nor their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or wilful misconduct or that of any of their Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, counsel, agents or attorneys-in-fact.

SECTION 5.16 Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classification . The Borrowers and all other Grantors, the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties agree and acknowledge that (i) the grants of Liens to the Revolving Secured Parties on the one hand, and the Non-Revolving Secured Parties on the other hand, pursuant to this Agreement constitute two separate and distinct grants of Liens and (ii) because of, among other things, their differing respective rights in the

 

E-25


Pledged Collateral or all other collateral, the Non-Revolving Obligations are fundamentally different from the Revolving Obligations and must be separately classified in any plan of reorganization proposed or adopted in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it is held that the claims of the Revolving Secured Parties and Non-Revolving Secured Parties in respect of the Pledged Collateral constitute only one secured claim (rather than separate classes of senior and junior secured claims), then the Revolving Secured Parties shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them from, or in respect of, the Pledged Collateral in respect of principal, pre-petition interest, and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of post-petition interest, fees, costs, expenses, premiums, and other charges, irrespective of whether a claim for such amounts is allowed or allowable in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, before any distribution from, or in respect of, any Pledged Collateral is made in respect of the claims held by the Non-Revolving Secured Parties), with the Non- Revolving Secured Parties’ hereby acknowledging and agreeing to hold in trust and promptly transfer to the Revolving Secured Parties amounts otherwise received or receivable by them from, on account of or relating to the Pledged Collateral to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such transfer has the effect of reducing the claim or recovery of the Non-Revolving Secured Parties. Each Non- Revolving Secured Party (whether in the capacity of a secured creditor or an unsecured creditor) shall not propose, vote in favor of, or otherwise directly or indirectly support any plan of reorganization that is inconsistent with the priorities or other provisions of this Agreement, other than with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or to the extent any such plan is proposed or supported by the number of Revolving Secured Parties required under Section 1126(d) of the Bankruptcy Code. This Agreement, which the parties hereto acknowledge shall constitute a “subordination agreement” for the purposes of Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, shall be applicable prior to and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

E-26


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC., as Co-Borrower and Grantor
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (DE), INC., as a Grantor
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
CONXTRA, INC., as a Grantor,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO C OLLATERAL A GREEMENT


Schedule I to the

Collateral Agreement

GRANTORS

 

Name

  

Jurisdiction of Formation

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., and

  

Delaware

SMART Modular Technologies (DE), Inc.

  

California

ConXtra, Inc.,

  

California


Schedule II to the

Collateral Agreement

PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS

 

Grantor

  

Issuer

  

Number of

Certificate

  

Number and

Class of

Equity Interests

  

Percentage

of Equity Interests

PLEDGED DEBT SECURITIES

 

Grantor

  

Issuer

  

Principal

Amount

  

Date of Note

  

Maturity Date


Schedule III to the

Collateral Agreement

COPYRIGHTS OWNED BY [NAME Of GRANTOR]

[Make a separate page of Schedule III for each Grantor and state if no copyrights are owned. List in numerical order by Registration No.]

Copyright Registrations

[List in alphabetical order by country/numerical order by Registration No. within each country]

 

Country

  

Title

  

Reg. No.

  

Author

Pending Copyright Applications for Registration

[List in alphabetical order by country.]

 

Country

  

Title

  

Author

  

Class

  

Date Filed


Schedule III to the

Collateral Agreement

LICENSES

[Make a separate page of Schedule III for each Grantor, and state if any Grantor is not a party to a license/sublicense.]

I. Licenses/Sublicensees of [Name of Grantor] as Licensor on Date Hereof

A. Copyrights

[List copyrights by country in alphabetical order with Registration Nos. within each country in numerical order.]

 

Copyrights               
          Date of               
     Licensee Name    License/    Title of          

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Copyrights

  

Author

  

Reg. No.

B. Patents

[List patent nos. and application nos. in alphabetical order by country, with numbers within each country in numerical order.]

 

Patents

           
     Licensee Name    Date of License/    Issue     

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Date

  

Patent No.

 

Patent Applications

        
     Licensee Name    Date of License/    Date    Application

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Filed

  

No.


C. Trademarks

[List trademark nos. and trademark application nos. with trademark nos. within each country in numerical order.]

 

Trademarks

              
     Licensee Name    Date of License/               

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Mark

  

Reg. Date

  

Reg. No.

 

Trademark Applications

     Licensee Name    Date of License/         Date    Application

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Mark

  

Filed

  

No.

 

D. Others

     
Licensee Name    Date of License/    Subject

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Matter


Schedule III to the

Collateral Agreement

II. Licensees/Sublicenses of [Name of Grantor] as Licensee on Date Hereof

A. Copyrights

[List copyrights by country in alphabetical order, with Registration Nos. within each country in numerical order.]

Copyrights

Country    Licensor Name and
Address
   Date of License/
Sublicense
   Title of Copyrights    Author   

Reg. No.

B. Patents

[List patent nos. and patent application nos. in alphabetical order by country with patent nos. within each country in numerical order.]

Patents

Country

  

Licensor Name and Address

  

Date of License/
Sublicense

  

Issue Date

  

Patent No.

 

Patent Applications

        

Country

  

Licensor Name and Address

  

Date of License/
Sublicense

  

Date Filed

  

Application No.

C. Trademarks

[List trademark nos. and trademark application nos. with trademark nos. within each country in numerical order.]


Trademarks

              
     Licensor Name    Date of License/               

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Mark

  

Reg. Date

  

Reg. No.

Trademark Applications

           
     Licensor Name    Date of License/         Date    Application

Country

  

and Address

  

Sublicense

  

Mark

  

Filed

  

No.

 

D. Others

     

Licensor Name and Address

  

Date of License/

Sublicense

  

Subject Matter


Schedule III to the

Collateral Agreement

PATENTS OWNED BY [NAME OF GRANTOR]

[Make a separate page of Schedule III for each Grantor and state if no patents are owned. List in numerical order by patent no./patent application no.]

Patent Registrations

[List in alphabetical order by country/numerical order by patent no. within each country.]

 

Country

  

Issue Date

  

Patent No.

Patent Registrations

[List in alphabetical order by country/numerical order by application no. within each country.]

 

Country

  

Filing Date

  

Patent Application No.

TRADEMARK/TRADE NAMES OWNED BY [NAME OF GRANTOR]


Schedule III to the

Collateral Agreement

[Make a separate page of Schedule III for each Grantor and state if no trademarks/trade names are owned.

Trademark Registrations

[List in alphabetical order by country/numerical order by trademark no. within each country.]

 

Country

 

Mark

  

Reg. Date

  

Reg. No.

 

Trademark Applications

        

[List in alphabetical order by country/numerical order by application no.]

  

Country

  

Mark

  

Application Date

  

Application No.

 

Trade Names

        

Country(s) Where Used

            

Trade Names


Schedule IV to the

Collateral Agreement

COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS


Exhibit I to the

Collateral Agreement

SUPPLEMENT NO. dated as of [         ] (this “Supplement”), to the Collateral Agreement dated as of [         ], 2011 (the “ Collateral Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. (the “ Co-Borrower ”), the other GRANTORS from time to time party thereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”).

A. Reference is made to (a) the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and (b) the Collateral Agreement.

B. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement and the Collateral Agreement, as applicable.

C. The Grantors have entered into the Collateral Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans and the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit. Section 5.14 of the Collateral Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries may become Grantors under the Collateral Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Subsidiary ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement to become a Grantor under the Collateral Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and the Issuing Banks to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued.

Accordingly, the Administrative Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 5.14 of the Collateral Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Grantor under the Collateral Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor, and the New Subsidiary hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Collateral Agreement applicable to it as a Grantor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Grantor thereunder are true and correct on and as of the date hereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, the New Subsidiary, as security for the payment and performance in full of the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Collateral Agreement), does hereby create and grant to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and lien on all of the New Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Pledged Collateral and the Article 9 Collateral (as each such term is defined in the Collateral Agreement). Each reference to a “Grantor” in the Collateral Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Collateral Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability of such obligations may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.


SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement. This Supplement shall become effective as to the New Subsidiary when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of the New Subsidiary shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Administrative Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon the New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the New Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective successors and assigns, except that the New Subsidiary shall not have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as expressly provided in this Supplement, the Collateral Agreement and the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 4. The New Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants that (a) set forth on Schedule I attached hereto is a schedule with the true and correct legal name of the New Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of formation and the location of its chief executive office, (b) Schedule II sets forth a true and complete list, with respect to the New Subsidiary, of (i) all the Equity Interests owned by the New Subsidiary in any Subsidiary and the percentage of the issued and outstanding units of each class of the Equity Interests of the issuer thereof represented by the Pledged Equity Interests owned by the New Subsidiary and (ii) all the Pledged Debt Securities owned by the New Subsidiary and (c) Schedule III attached hereto sets forth, as of the date hereof, (i) all of the New Subsidiary’s Patents, including the name of the registered owner, type, registration or application number and the expiration date (if already registered) of each such Patent owned by the New Subsidiary, (ii) all of the New Subsidiary’s Trademarks, including the name of the registered owner, the registration or application number and the expiration date (if already registered) of each such Trademark owned by the New Subsidiary, and (iii) all of the New Subsidiary’s Copyrights, including the name of the registered owner, title and, if applicable, the registration number of each such Copyright owned by the New Subsidiary, and (d) Schedule IV attached hereto sets forth, as of the date hereof, each Commercial Tort Claim in respect of which a complaint or counterclaim has been filed by the New Subsidiary seeking damages in an amount of $5,000,000 or more.

SECTION 5. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Collateral Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 7. Any provision of this Supplement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 8. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Collateral Agreement.

SECTION 9. The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for its fees and expenses incurred hereunder and under the Collateral Agreement as provided in Section 9.03(a) of the Credit Agreement; provided that each reference therein to the “Parent Borrower” shall be deemed to be a reference to “the New Subsidiary.”


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent have duly executed this Supplement to the Collateral Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW SUBSIDIARY],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
  Legal Name:
  Jurisdiction of Formation:
  Location of Chief Executive Office:

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO S UPPLEMENT TO C OLLATERAL A GREEMENT


Schedule I

to Supplement No.      to the

Collateral Agreement

 

Name

  

Jurisdiction of Formation

  

Chief Executive Office


Schedule II

to Supplement No.      to the

Collateral Agreement

PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS

 

Grantor

  

Issuer

  

Number of
Certificate

  

Number and

Class of
Equity Interests

  

Percentage of

Equity Interests

PLEDGED DEBT SECURITIES

 

Grantor

  

Issuer

  

Principal
Amount

  

Date of Note

  

Maturity Date

 


Schedule III

to Supplement No.      to the

Collateral Agreement

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY


Schedule IV

to Supplement No.      to the

Collateral Agreement

COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS


Exhibit II

to the Collateral Agreement

COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of [         ], 20[    ] (this “ Agreement ”), among [         ] (the “ Grantor ”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”).

Reference is made to (a) the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Lenders ”) and the Administrative Agent and (b) the Collateral Agreement dated as of [         ], 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Collateral Agreement ”), among the Co-Borrower, the other grantors from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent. The Lenders and the Issuing Banks have agreed to extend credit to the Borrowers subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. The Grantor is an Affiliate of the Borrowers and is willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and the Issuing Banks to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Terms . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Collateral Agreement or the Credit Agreement, as applicable. The rules of construction specified in Section 1.01(b) of the Collateral Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, the Grantor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “ Security Interest ”) in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under any Copyrights now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor, including those listed on Schedule I, and any exclusive Copyright Licenses under which such Grantor is a licensee, including those listed on Schedule II (collectively, the “ Copyright Collateral ”).

SECTION 3. Collateral Agreement . The Security Interest granted to the Administrative Agent herein is granted in furtherance, and not in limitation, of the security interests granted to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement. The Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent with respect to the Copyright Collateral are more fully set forth in the Collateral Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Collateral Agreement, the terms of the Collateral Agreement shall govern.

SECTION 4. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[                     ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO C OPYRIGHT S ECURITY A GREEMENT


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO C OPYRIGHT S ECURITY A GREEMENT


Schedule I


Schedule II


Exhibit III to the

Collateral Agreement

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of [    ], 20[    ] (this “ Agreement ”), among [    ] (the “ Grantor ”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”).

Reference is made to (a) the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Lenders ”) and the Administrative Agent and (b) the Collateral Agreement dated as of [             ], 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Collateral Agreement ”), among the Co-Borrower, the other grantors from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent. The Lenders and the Issuing Banks have agreed to extend credit to the Borrowers subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. The Grantor is an Affiliate of the Borrowers and is willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and the Issuing Banks to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Terms . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Collateral Agreement or the Credit Agreement, as applicable. The rules of construction specified in Section 1.01(b) of the Collateral Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, the Grantor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “ Security Interest ”) in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under any Patents now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor, including those listed on Schedule I (the “ Patent Collateral ”).

SECTION 3. Collateral Agreement . The Security Interest granted to the Administrative Agent herein is granted in furtherance, and not in limitation, of the security interests granted to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement. The Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent with respect to the Patent Collateral are more fully set forth in the Collateral Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Collateral Agreement, the terms of the Collateral Agreement shall govern.

SECTION 4. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[                                                  ],
By:                                                                                                   
  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO P ATENT SECURITY A GREEMENT


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO P ATENT SECURITY A GREEMENT


Schedule I


Exhibit IV to the

Collateral Agreement

TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of [    ], 20[    ] (this “ Agreement ”), among [    ] (the “ Grantor ”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”).

Reference is made to (a) the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Lenders ”) and the Administrative Agent and (b) the Collateral Agreement dated as of [             ], 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Collateral Agreement ”), among the Borrowers, the other grantors from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent. The Lenders and the Issuing Banks have agreed to extend credit to the Borrowers subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. The Grantor is an Affiliate of the Borrowers and is willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and the Issuing Banks to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Terms . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Collateral Agreement or the Credit Agreement, as applicable. The rules of construction specified in Section 1.01(b) of the Collateral Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest . As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, the Grantor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “ Security Interest ”) in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under any Trademarks now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor, including those listed on Schedule I (the “ Trademark Collateral ”).

SECTION 3. Collateral Agreement . The Security Interest granted to the Administrative Agent herein is granted in furtherance, and not in limitation, of the security interests granted to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement. The Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent with respect to the Trademark Collateral are more fully set forth in the Collateral Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Collateral Agreement, the terms of the Collateral Agreement shall govern.

SECTION 4. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[                                              ],
By:                                                                                                   
  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO T RADEMARK S ECURITY A GREEMENT


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

S IGNATURE P AGE TO T RADEMARK S ECURITY A GREEMENT


Schedule I

 


EXHIBIT F-1

[FORM OF]

Opinion of Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett LLP

[Provided under Separate Cover]

 

 

F-1


EXHIBIT F-2

[FORM OF]

Opinion of Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados

[Provided under Separate Cover]

 

 

F-2


EXHIBIT F-3

[FORM OF]

Opinion of Walkers Global

[Provided under Separate Cover]

 

 

F-3


EXHIBIT F-4

[FORM OF]

Opinion of De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

[Provided under Separate Cover]

 

 

F-4


EXHIBIT F-5

[FORM OF]

Opinion of Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen

[Provided under Separate Cover]

 

 

F-5


EXHIBIT G

[FORM OF]

FIRST LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

Among

SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.,

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,

the other Grantors party hereto,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

as Collateral Agent for the First Lien Secured Parties and

as Authorized Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties

[             ]

as the Initial Additional Authorized Representative

and

each additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto

dated as of [     ], 20[    ]

 


FIRST LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [    ], 20[    ] (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the other Grantors (as defined below) party hereto, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as collateral agent for the First Lien Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”) and as Authorized Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), [INSERT NAME AND CAPACITY], as Authorized Representative for the Initial Additional First Lien Secured Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Initial Additional Authorized Representative ”) and each additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto for the Additional First Lien Secured Parties of the Series with respect to which it is acting in such capacity.

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Credit Agreement Secured Parties), the Initial Additional Authorized Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Initial Additional First Lien Secured Parties) and each additional Authorized Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Additional First Lien Secured Parties of the applicable Series) agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.10 Certain Defined Terms . Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement or, if defined in the New York UCC, the meanings specified therein. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

Additional First Lien Documents ” means, with respect to any Series of First Lien Obligations, the notes, indentures, security documents and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, including the Initial Additional First Lien Documents and each other agreement entered into for the purpose of securing any Series of Additional First Lien Obligations.

Additional First Lien Obligations ” means, with respect to any Series of Additional First Lien Obligations, (a) all principal of, and interest (including, without limitation, any interest which accrues after the commencement of any Bankruptcy Case, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) payable with respect to, such Additional First Lien Obligations, (b) all other amounts payable to the related Additional First Lien Secured Parties under the related Additional First Lien Documents and (c) any renewals of extensions of the foregoing.

Additional First Lien Secured Party ” means the holders of any Additional First Lien Obligations and any Authorized Representative with respect thereto and shall include the Initial Additional First Lien Secured Parties.

 

 

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Administrative Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement and shall include any successors thereto as provided in Article VIII of the Credit Agreement.

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Applicable Authorized Representative ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) until the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Administrative Agent and (ii) from and after the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative.

Authorized Representative ” means (i) in the case of any Credit Agreement Obligations or the Credit Agreement Secured Parties, the Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of the Initial Additional First Lien Obligations or the Initial Additional First Lien Secured Parties, the Initial Additional Authorized Representative and (iii) in the case of any Series of Additional First Lien Obligations or Additional First Lien Secured Parties that become subject to this Agreement after the date hereof, the Authorized Representative named for such Series in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Bankruptcy Case ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

Bankruptcy Law ” means the Bankruptcy Code and any other federal, state, or foreign law for the relief of debtors, or any arrangement, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, assignment for the benefit of creditors, any other marshalling of the assets or liabilities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or similar law affecting creditors’ rights generally.

Borrower ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Borrowers ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar in the London interbank market.

Collateral ” means all assets and properties subject to Liens created pursuant to any First Lien Security Document to secure one or more Series of First Lien Obligations.

Collateral Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Controlling Secured Parties ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Series of First Lien Secured Parties whose Authorized Representative is the Applicable Authorized Representative for such Shared Collateral.

Credit Agreement ” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011, as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, refinanced or replaced from time to time, among Holdings, the Borrowers, the lenders from time to time party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto.

 

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Credit Agreement Obligations ” means the “Loan Document Obligations” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

Credit Agreement Secured Parties ” means the “Secured Parties” as defined in the Security Agreement.

DIP Financing ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

DIP Financing Liens ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

DIP Lenders ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

Discharge ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral and any Series of First Lien Obligations, the date on which such Series of First Lien Obligations is no longer secured by such Shared Collateral. The term “ Discharged ” shall have a corresponding meaning.

Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Discharge of the Credit Agreement Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral; provided that the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred in connection with a Refinancing of such Credit Agreement Obligations with additional First Lien Obligations secured by such Shared Collateral under an Additional First Lien Document which has been designated in writing by the Administrative Agent (under the Credit Agreement so Refinanced) to the Collateral Agent and each other Authorized Representative as the “Credit Agreement” for purposes of this Agreement.

Event of Default ” means an “Event of Default” (or any other similarly defined term) as defined in any Secured Credit Document.

First Lien Obligations ” means, collectively, (i) the Credit Agreement Obligations and (ii) each Series of Additional First Lien Obligations.

First Lien Secured Parties ” means (a) the Credit Agreement Secured Parties and (ii) the Additional First Lien Secured Parties with respect to each Series of Additional First Lien Obligations.

First Lien Security Documents ” means the Security Agreement, the other Security Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and each other agreement entered into in favor of the Collateral Agent for the purpose of securing any Series of First Lien Obligations and, if executed and delivered, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

Grantors ” means the Parent Borrower and each other Subsidiary or direct or indirect parent company of the Parent Borrower which has granted a security interest pursuant to any First Lien Security Document to secure any Series of First Lien Obligations. The Grantors existing on the date hereof are set forth in Annex I hereto.

Impairment ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.03.

 

 

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Initial Additional Authorized Representative ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Initial Additional First Lien Documents ” means that certain [[Indenture] dated as of [    ], 20[    ], among the Parent Borrower, [the Guarantors identified therein,] [    ], as [trustee], and [    ], as [paying agent, registrar and transfer agent]] and any notes, security documents and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, including any agreement entered into for the purpose of securing the Initial Additional First Lien Obligation.

Initial Additional First Lien Obligations ” means the Additional First Lien Obligations pursuant to the Initial Additional First Lien Documents.

Initial Additional First Lien Secured Parties ” means the holders of any Initial Additional First Lien Obligations and the Initial Additional Authorized Representative.

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding ” means:

(1) any case commenced by or against the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor under any Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

(2) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

(3) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

Intervening Creditor ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(a).

Joinder Agreement ” means a supplement to this Agreement in the form of Annex II hereof required to be delivered by an Authorized Representative to the Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative pursuant to Section 5.13 hereto in order to establish an additional Series of Additional First Lien Obligations and become Additional First Lien Secured Parties hereunder.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Authorized Representative of the Series of Additional First Lien Obligations that constitutes the largest outstanding principal amount of any then outstanding Series of First Lien Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral.

 

 

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New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

Non- Controlling Authorized Representative ” means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, any Authorized Representative that is not the Applicable Authorized Representative at such time with respect to such Shared Collateral.

Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date ” means, with respect to any Non- Controlling Authorized Representative, the date which is 90 days (throughout which 90 day period such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative was the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative) after the occurrence of both (i) an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Additional First Lien Document under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) and (ii) the Collateral Agent’s and each other Authorized Representative’s receipt of written notice from such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative certifying that (x) such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative and that an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Additional First Lien Document under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) has occurred and is continuing and (y) the First Lien Obligations of the Series with respect to which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative are currently due and payable in full (whether as a result of acceleration thereof or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of the applicable Additional First Lien Document; provided that the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date shall be stayed and shall not occur and shall be deemed not to have occurred with respect to any Shared Collateral (1) at any time the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent has commenced and is diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to such Shared Collateral or (2) at any time the Grantor which has granted a security interest in such Shared Collateral is then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

Non-Controlling Secured Parties ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the First Lien Secured Parties which are not Controlling Secured Parties with respect to such Shared Collateral.

Possessory Collateral ” means any Shared Collateral in the possession of the Collateral Agent (or its agents or bailees), to the extent that possession thereof perfects a Lien thereon under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction. Possessory Collateral includes, without limitation, any Certificated Securities, Promissory Notes, Instruments, and Chattel Paper, in each case, delivered to or in the possession of the Collateral Agent under the terms of the First Lien Security Documents.

Proceeds ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01 hereof.

Refinance ” means, in respect of any indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, defease, amend, increase, modify, supplement, restructure, refund, replace or repay, or to issue other indebtedness or enter alternative financing arrangements, in exchange or replacement for such indebtedness (in whole or in part), including by adding or replacing lenders, creditors, agents, borrowers and/or guarantors, and including in each case, but not limited to, after the original instrument giving rise to such indebtedness has been terminated and including, in each case, through any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement. “ Refinanced ” and “ Refinancing ” have correlative meanings.

Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” means the “Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

 

 

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Secured Credit Document ” means (i) the Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document (as defined in the Credit Agreement), (ii) each Initial Additional First Lien Document and (iii) each Additional First Lien Document.

Security Agreement ” means the “Collateral Agreement” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

Senior Class  Debt ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

Senior Class  Debt Parties ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

Senior Class  Debt Representative ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

Senior Lien ” means the Liens on the Collateral in favor of the First Lien Secured Parties under the First Lien Security Documents.

Series ” means (a) with respect to the First Lien Secured Parties, each of (i) the Credit Agreement Secured Parties (in their capacities as such), (ii) the Initial Additional First Lien Secured Parties (in their capacity as such) and (iii) the Additional First Lien Secured Parties that become subject to this Agreement after the date hereof that are represented by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such Additional First Lien Secured Parties) and (b) with respect to any First Lien Obligations, each of (i) the Credit Agreement Obligations, (ii) the Initial Additional First Lien Obligations and (iii) the Additional First Lien Obligations incurred pursuant to any Additional First Lien Document, which pursuant to any Joinder Agreement, are to be represented hereunder by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such Additional First Lien Obligations).

Shared Collateral ” means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders of two or more Series of First Lien Obligations (or their respective Authorized Representatives) hold a valid and perfected security interest at such time. If more than two Series of First Lien Obligations are outstanding at any time and the holders of less than all Series of First Lien Obligations hold a valid and perfected security interest in any Collateral at such time, then such Collateral shall constitute Shared Collateral for those Series of First Lien Obligations that hold a valid security interest in such Collateral at such time and shall not constitute Shared Collateral for any Series which does not have a valid and perfected security interest in such Collateral at such time.

Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” means the New York UCC, or the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or comparable legislation) of another jurisdiction, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.

SECTION 1.02 Terms Generally . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, but shall not be deemed to include the subsidiaries of such Person unless express reference is made to such subsidiaries, (iii) the

 

 

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words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections and Annexes of this Agreement, (v) unless otherwise expressly qualified herein, the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights and (vi) the term “or” is not exclusive.

SECTION 1.03 Impairments . It is the intention of the First Lien Secured Parties of each Series that the holders of First Lien Obligations of such Series (and not the First Lien Secured Parties of any other Series) bear the risk of (i) any determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that (x) any of the First Lien Obligations of such Series are unenforceable under applicable law or are subordinated to any other obligations (other than another Series of First Lien Obligations), (y) any of the First Lien Obligations of such Series do not have an enforceable security interest in any of the Collateral securing any other Series of First Lien Obligations and/or (z) any intervening security interest exists securing any other obligations (other than another Series of First Lien Obligations) on a basis ranking prior to the security interest of such Series of First Lien Obligations but junior to the security interest of any other Series of First Lien Obligations or (ii) the existence of any Collateral for any other Series of First Lien Obligations that is not Shared Collateral (any such condition referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) with respect to any Series of First Lien Obligations, an “ Impairment ” of such Series); provided that the existence of a maximum claim with respect to Mortgaged Properties (as defined in the Credit Agreement) which applies to all First Lien Obligations shall not be deemed to be an Impairment of any Series of First Lien Obligations. In the event of any Impairment with respect to any Series of First Lien Obligations, the results of such Impairment shall be borne solely by the holders of such Series of First Lien Obligations, and the rights of the holders of such Series of First Lien Obligations (including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions in respect of such Series of First Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 2.01) set forth herein shall be modified to the extent necessary so that the effects of such Impairment are borne solely by the holders of the Series of such First Lien Obligations subject to such Impairment. Additionally, in the event the First Lien Obligations of any Series are modified pursuant to applicable law (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code), any reference to such First Lien Obligations or the First Lien Documents governing such First Lien Obligations shall refer to such obligations or such documents as so modified.

ARTICLE II

Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Shared Collateral

SECTION 2.01 Priority of Claims .

(a) Anything contained herein or in any of the Secured Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding (but subject to Section 1.03), if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Collateral Agent or any First Lien Secured Party is taking action to enforce rights in respect of any Shared Collateral, or any distribution is made in respect of any Shared Collateral in any Bankruptcy Case of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or any First Lien Secured Party receives any payment pursuant to any intercreditor agreement (other than this Agreement) with respect to any Shared Collateral, the proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any such Collateral by any First Lien Secured Party or received by the Collateral Agent or any First Lien Secured Party pursuant to any such intercreditor agreement with respect to such Shared Collateral and proceeds of any such distribution (subject, in the case of any such distribution, to the sentence immediately following) to which the First Lien Obligations are entitled under any intercreditor agreement (other than this Agreement) (all proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any Collateral and all proceeds of any such distribution being collectively referred to as “ Proceeds ”), shall be applied (i) FIRST, to the payment of all

 

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amounts owing to the Collateral Agent (in its capacity as such) pursuant to the terms of any Secured Credit Document, (ii) SECOND, subject to Section 1.03, to the payment in full of the First Lien Obligations of each Series on a ratable basis, with such Proceeds to be applied to the First Lien Obligations of a given Series in accordance with the terms of the applicable Secured Credit Documents and (iii) THIRD, after payment of all First Lien Obligations, to the Parent Borrower and the other Grantors or their successors or assigns, as their interests may appear, or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same pursuant to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement or otherwise, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Shared Collateral for which a third party (other than a First Lien Secured Party) has a lien or security interest that is junior in priority to the security interest of any Series of First Lien Obligations, after giving effect to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, if applicable, but senior (as determined by appropriate legal proceedings in the case of any dispute) to the security interest of any other Series of First Lien Obligations (such third party an “ Intervening Creditor ”), the value of any Shared Collateral or Proceeds which are allocated to such Intervening Creditor shall be deducted on a ratable basis solely from the Shared Collateral or Proceeds to be distributed in respect of the Series of First Lien Obligations with respect to which such Impairment exists.

(b) It is acknowledged that the First Lien Obligations of any Series may, subject to the limitations set forth in the then extant Secured Credit Documents, be increased, extended, renewed, replaced, restated, supplemented, restructured, repaid, refunded, Refinanced or otherwise amended or modified from time to time, all without affecting the priorities set forth in Section 2.01(a) or the provisions of this Agreement defining the relative rights of the First Lien Secured Parties of any Series.

(c) Notwithstanding the date, time, method, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens securing any Series of First Lien Obligations granted on the Shared Collateral and notwithstanding any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, or any other applicable law or the Secured Credit Documents or any defect or deficiencies in the Liens securing the First Lien Obligations of any Series or any other circumstance whatsoever (but, in each case, subject to Section 1.03, each First Lien Secured Party hereby agrees that the Liens securing each Series of First Lien Obligations on any Shared Collateral shall be of equal priority.

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other First Lien Security Documents to the contrary, Collateral consisting of cash and cash equivalents pledged to secure Credit Agreement Obligations consisting of reimbursement obligations in respect of Letters of Credit or otherwise held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 2.05(i), 2.11(b) or 2.22(c) of the Credit Agreement (or any equivalent successor provision) shall be applied as specified in such Section of the Credit Agreement and will not constitute Shared Collateral.

SECTION 2.02 Actions with Respect to Shared Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens .

(a) With respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) only the Collateral Agent shall act or refrain from acting with respect to the Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), and then only on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative, (ii) the Collateral Agent shall not follow any instructions with respect to such Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral) from any Non-Controlling Authorized Representative (or any other First Lien Secured Party other than the Applicable Authorized Representative) and (iii) no Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or other First Lien Secured Party (other than the Applicable Authorized Representative) shall or shall instruct the Collateral Agent to, commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or

 

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over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its security interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), whether under any First Lien Security Document, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that only the Collateral Agent, acting on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative and in accordance with the applicable First Lien Security Documents, shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies with respect to Shared Collateral. Notwithstanding the equal priority of the Liens, the Collateral Agent (acting on the instructions of the Applicable Authorized Representative) may deal with the Shared Collateral as if such Applicable Authorized Representative had a senior Lien on such Collateral. No Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or Non-Controlling Secured Party will contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by the Collateral Agent, Applicable Authorized Representative or Controlling Secured Party or any other exercise by the Collateral Agent, Applicable Authorized Representative or Controlling Secured Party of any rights and remedies relating to the Shared Collateral, or to cause the Collateral Agent to do so. The foregoing shall not be construed to limit the rights and priorities of any First Lien Secured Party, Collateral Agent or Authorized Representative with respect to any Collateral not constituting Shared Collateral.

(b) Each of the Authorized Representatives agrees that it will not accept any Lien on any collateral for the benefit of any Series of First Lien Obligations (other than funds deposited for the discharge or defeasance of any Additional First Lien Document) other than pursuant to the First Lien Security Documents and pursuant to Section 2.05(i), 2.11(b) or 2.22(c) of the Credit Agreement, and by executing this Agreement (or a Joinder Agreement), each Authorized Representative and the Series of First Lien Secured Parties for which it is acting hereunder agree to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and the other First Lien Security Documents applicable to it.

(c) Each of the First Lien Secured Parties agrees that it will not (and hereby waives any right to) question or contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the perfection, priority, validity, attachment or enforceability of a Lien held by or on behalf of any of the First Lien Secured Parties in all or any part of the Collateral, or the provisions of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any of the Collateral Agent or any Authorized Representative to enforce this Agreement.

SECTION 2.03 No Interference; Payment Over .

(a) Each First Lien Secured Party agrees that (i) it will not challenge or question in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of any First Lien Obligations of any Series or any First Lien Security Document or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien under any First Lien Security Document or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by or other provisions of this Agreement; (ii) it will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or intent of which is, or could be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Shared Collateral by the Collateral Agent, (iii) except as provided in Section 2.02, it shall have no right to (A) direct the Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement) or (B) consent to the exercise by the Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral, (iv) it will not institute any suit or assert in any suit, bankruptcy, insolvency or other proceeding any claim against the Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to any Shared Collateral, and none of the Collateral Agent, any Applicable Authorized Representative or any other First

 

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Lien Secured Party shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Collateral Agent, such Applicable Authorized Representative or other First Lien Secured Party with respect to any Shared Collateral in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (v) it will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Shared Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Collateral and (vi) it will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any of the Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party to enforce this Agreement.

(b) Each First Lien Secured Party hereby agrees that if it shall obtain possession of any Shared Collateral or shall realize any proceeds or payment in respect of any such Shared Collateral, pursuant to any First Lien Security Document or by the exercise of any rights available to it under applicable law or in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or through any other exercise of remedies (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement), at any time prior to the Discharge of each of the First Lien Obligations, then it shall hold such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payment in trust for the other First Lien Secured Parties and promptly transfer such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payment, as the case may be, to the Collateral Agent, to be distributed in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.01 hereof.

SECTION 2.04 Automatic Release of Liens; Amendments to First Lien Security Documents .

(a) If, at any time the Collateral Agent forecloses upon or otherwise exercises remedies against any Shared Collateral resulting in a sale or disposition thereof, then (whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding is pending at the time) the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of each Series of First Lien Secured Parties upon such Shared Collateral will automatically be released and discharged; provided that any proceeds of any Shared Collateral realized therefrom shall be applied pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.

(b) Each First Lien Secured Party agrees that the Collateral Agent may enter into any amendment (and, upon request by the Collateral Agent, each Authorized Representative shall sign a consent to such amendment) to any First Lien Security Document, so long as the Collateral Agent receives a certificate of the Parent Borrower stating that such amendment is permitted by the terms of each then extant Secured Credit Document. Additionally, each First Lien Secured Party agrees that the Collateral Agent may enter into any amendment (and, upon request by the Collateral Agent, each Authorized Representative shall sign a consent to such amendment) to any First Lien Security Document solely as such First Lien Security Document relates to a particular Series of First Lien Obligations so long as (x) such amendment is in accordance with the Secured Credit Document pursuant to which such Series of First Lien Obligations was incurred and (y) such amendment does not adversely affect the First Lien Secured Parties of any other Series.

(c) Each Authorized Representative agrees to execute and deliver (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) all such authorizations and other instruments as shall reasonably be requested by the Collateral Agent to evidence and confirm any release of Shared Collateral or amendment to any First Lien Security Document provided for in this Section.

SECTION 2.05. Certain Agreements with Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings .

(a) This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the commencement of any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law by or against the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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(b) If the Parent Borrower and/or any other Grantor shall become subject to a case (a “ Bankruptcy Case ”) under the Bankruptcy Code and shall, as debtor(s)-in-possession, move for approval of financing (“ DIP Financing ”) to be provided by one or more lenders (the “ DIP Lenders ”) under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, each First Lien Secured Party agrees that it will raise no objection to any such financing or to the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the same (“ DIP Financing Liens ”) or to any use of cash collateral that constitutes Shared Collateral, unless any Controlling Secured Party, or an Authorized Representative of any Controlling Secured Party, shall then oppose or object to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens or use of cash collateral (and (i) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens are senior to the Liens on any such Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will subordinate its Liens with respect to such Shared Collateral on the same terms as the Liens of the Controlling Secured Parties (other than any Liens of any First Lien Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) are subordinated thereto, and (ii) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens rank pari passu with the Liens on any such Shared Collateral granted to secure the First Lien Obligations of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will confirm the priorities with respect to such Shared Collateral as set forth herein), in each case so long as (A) the First Lien Secured Parties of each Series retain the benefit of their Liens on all such Shared Collateral pledged to the DIP Lenders, including proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of such proceeding, with the same priority vis-a-vis all the other First Lien Secured Parties (other than any Liens of the First Lien Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) as existed prior to the commencement of the Bankruptcy Case, (B) the First Lien Secured Parties of each Series are granted Liens on any additional collateral pledged to any First Lien Secured Parties as adequate protection or otherwise in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, with the same priority vis-a-vis the First Lien Secured Parties as set forth in this Agreement, (C) if any amount of such DIP Financing or cash collateral is applied to repay any of the First Lien Obligations, such amount is applied pursuant to Section 2.01 of this Agreement, and (D) if any First Lien Secured Parties are granted adequate protection, including in the form of periodic payments, in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, the proceeds of such adequate protection are applied pursuant to Section 2.01 of this Agreement; provided that the First Lien Secured Parties of each Series shall have a right to object to the grant of a Lien to secure the DIP Financing over any Collateral subject to Liens in favor of the First Lien Secured Parties of such Series or its Authorized Representative that shall not constitute Shared Collateral; and provided , further , that the First Lien Secured Parties receiving adequate protection shall not object to any other First Lien Secured Party receiving adequate protection comparable to any adequate protection granted to such First Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing or use of cash collateral.

SECTION 2.06. Reinstatement . In the event that any of the First Lien Obligations shall be paid in full and such payment or any part thereof shall subsequently, for whatever reason (including an order or judgment for disgorgement of a preference under the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar law, or the settlement of any claim in respect thereof), be required to be returned or repaid, the terms and conditions of this Article II shall be fully applicable thereto until all such First Lien Obligations shall again have been paid in full in cash.

SECTION 2.07. Insurance . As between the First Lien Secured Parties, the Collateral Agent, acting at the direction of the Applicable Authorized Representative, shall have the right to adjust or settle any insurance policy or claim covering or constituting Shared Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the Shared Collateral.

 

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SECTION 2.08. Refinancings . The First Lien Obligations of any Series may be Refinanced, in whole or in part, in each case, without notice to, or the consent (except to the extent a consent is otherwise required to permit the Refinancing transaction under any Secured Credit Document) of any First Lien Secured Party of any other Series, all without affecting the priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided that the Authorized Representative of the holders of any such Refinancing indebtedness shall have executed a Joinder Agreement on behalf of the holders of such Refinancing indebtedness.

SECTION 2.09. Possessory Collateral Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection .

(a) The Collateral Agent agrees to hold any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral that is part of the Collateral in its possession or control (or in the possession or control of its agents or bailees) as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other First Lien Secured Party and any assignee solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable First Lien Security Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.09. Pending delivery to the Collateral Agent, each other Authorized Representative agrees to hold any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral, from time to time in its possession, as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other First Lien Secured Party and any assignee, solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable First Lien Security Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.09.

(b) The duties or responsibilities of the Collateral Agent and each other Authorized Representative under this Section 2.09 shall be limited solely to holding any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of each other First Lien Secured Party for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such First Lien Secured Parties therein.

ARTICLE III

Existence and Amounts of Liens and Obligations

SECTION 3.01. Determinations with Respect to Amounts of Liens and Obligations . Whenever the Collateral Agent or any Authorized Representative shall be required, in connection with the exercise of its rights or the performance of its obligations hereunder, to determine the existence or amount of any First Lien Obligations of any Series, or the Shared Collateral subject to any Lien securing the First Lien Obligations of any Series, it may request that such information be furnished to it in writing by each other Authorized Representative and shall be entitled to make such determination on the basis of the information so furnished; provided , however , that if an Authorized Representative shall fail or refuse reasonably promptly to provide the requested information, the requesting Collateral Agent or Authorized Representative shall be entitled to make any such determination by such method as it may, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, determine, including by reliance upon a certificate of the Parent Borrower. The Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative may rely conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any determination made by it in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence (or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to any Grantor, any First Lien Secured Party or any other person as a result of such determination.

 

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ARTICLE IV

The Collateral Agent

SECTION 4.01. Appointment and Authority .

(a) Each of the First Lien Secured Parties hereby irrevocably appoints JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to act on its behalf as the Collateral Agent hereunder and under each of the other First Lien Security Documents and authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, including for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any Grantor to secure any of the First Lien Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each of the First Lien Secured Parties also authorizes JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., at the request of the Parent Borrower, to execute and deliver the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement in the capacity as “Senior Collateral Agent,” or the equivalent agent, however referred to for the First Lien Secured Parties under such agreement (the “ Senior Collateral Agent ”) and authorizes the Collateral Agent, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to, or otherwise given to, the Senior Collateral Agent by the terms of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Collateral Agent and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 4.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under any of the First Lien Security Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder or under the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement at the direction of the Applicable Authorized Representative, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IV and Article VIII of the Credit Agreement and the equivalent provision of any Additional First Lien Document (as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “Collateral Agent” named therein) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

(b) Each Non-Controlling Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled, for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties, to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or deal with any Shared Collateral as provided herein and in the First Lien Security Documents, without regard to any rights to which the holders of the Non-Controlling Secured Obligations would otherwise be entitled as a result of such Non-Controlling Secured Obligations. Without limiting the foregoing, each Non-Controlling Secured Party agrees that none of the Collateral Agent, the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other First Lien Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon any type of Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any of the First Lien Obligations), or to sell, dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any First Lien Obligations), in any manner that would maximize the return to the Non-Controlling Secured Parties, notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of proceeds actually received by the Non- Controlling Secured Parties from such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation. Each of the First Lien Secured Parties waives any claim it may now or hereafter have against the Collateral Agent or the Authorized Representative of any other Series of First Lien Obligations or any other First Lien Secured Party of any other Series arising out of (i) any actions which the Collateral Agent, any Authorized Representative or any First Lien Secured Party takes or omits to take (including, actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the First Lien Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with the First Lien Security Documents or any other agreement related thereto or to the collection of the First Lien Obligations or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the First Lien Obligations, (ii) any election by any Applicable Authorized

 

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Representative or any holders of First Lien Obligations, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or (iii) subject to Section 2.05, any borrowing by, or grant of a security interest or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law by, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as debtor-in- possession. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall not accept any Shared Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of any First Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 9-620 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, without the consent of each Authorized Representative representing holders of First Lien Obligations for whom such Collateral constitutes Shared Collateral.

(c) Each Authorized Representative acknowledges and agrees that upon execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Annex II by an additional Senior Class Debt Representative, the Collateral Agent and each Grantor in accordance with Section 5.13, the Collateral Agent will continue to act in its capacity as Collateral Agent in respect of the then existing Authorized Representatives and such additional Authorized Representative.

SECTION 4.02. Rights as a First Lien Secured Party .

(a) The Person serving as the Collateral Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a First Lien Secured Party under any Series of First Lien Obligations that it holds as any other First Lien Secured Party of such Series and may exercise the same as though it were not the Collateral Agent and the term “First Lien Secured Party” or “First Lien Secured Parties” or (as applicable) “Credit Agreement Secured Party”, “Credit Agreement Secured Parties,” “Additional First Lien Secured Party” or “Additional First Lien Secured Parties” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Collateral Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Collateral Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to any other First Lien Secured Party.

SECTION 4.03. Exculpatory Provisions . The Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other First Lien Security Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Collateral Agent:

(i) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(ii) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other First Lien Security Documents that the Collateral Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Applicable Authorized Representative; provided that the Collateral Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Collateral Agent to liability or that is contrary to any First Lien Security Document or applicable law;

(iii) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other First Lien Security Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Parent Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity;

 

 

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(iv) shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Applicable Authorized Representative or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct or (iii) in reliance on a certificate of an authorized officer of the Parent Borrower stating that such action is permitted by the terms of this Agreement. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Event of Default under any Series of First Lien Obligations unless and until notice describing such Event Default is given to the Collateral Agent by the Authorized Representative of such First Lien Obligations or the Parent Borrower; and

(v) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other First Lien Security Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other First Lien Security Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the First Lien Security Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral for any Series of First Lien Obligations, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in any Secured Credit Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Collateral Agent.

SECTION 4.04. Reliance by Collateral Agent . The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Collateral Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Collateral Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Parent Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

SECTION 4.05. Delegation of Duties . The Collateral Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other First Lien Security Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Affiliates. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Affiliates of the Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent.

SECTION 4.06. Resignation of Collateral Agent . The Collateral Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation as Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the other First Lien Security Documents (including, if applicable, as Senior Collateral Agent under the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) to each Authorized Representative and the Parent Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Applicable Authorized Representative shall have the right, in consultation with the Parent Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Applicable Authorized Representative and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Collateral Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Collateral Agent may, on behalf of the First Lien Secured Parties, appoint a successor Collateral Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Collateral Agent shall notify the Parent Borrower and

 

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each Authorized Representative that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other First Lien Security Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Collateral Agent on behalf of the First Lien Secured Parties under any of the First Lien Security Documents, the retiring Collateral Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security solely for purposes of maintaining the perfection of the security interests of the First Lien Secured Parties therein until such time as a successor Collateral Agent is appointed but with no obligation to take any further action at the request of the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other First Lien Secured Parties) and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Collateral Agent shall instead be made by or to each Authorized Representative directly, until such time as the Applicable Authorized Representative appoints a successor Collateral Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Collateral Agent hereunder and under the First Lien Security Documents (including, if applicable, acting as Senior Collateral Agent under the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement), such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Collateral Agent, and the retiring Collateral Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other First Lien Security Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). After the retiring Collateral Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Article VIII of the Credit Agreement and the equivalent provision of any Additional First Lien Document shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Collateral Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Collateral Agent was acting as Collateral Agent. Upon any notice of resignation of the Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other First Lien Security Documents, the Parent Borrower agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to transfer (and maintain the validity and priority of) the Liens in favor of the retiring Collateral Agent under the First Lien Security Documents to the successor Collateral Agent.

SECTION 4.07. Non-Reliance on Collateral Agent and Other First Lien Secured Parties . Each First Lien Secured Party acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Collateral Agent, any Authorized Representative or any other First Lien Secured Party or any of their Affiliates and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Secured Credit Documents. Each First Lien Secured Party also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Collateral Agent, any Authorized Representative or any other First Lien Secured Party or any of their Affiliates and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Secured Credit Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

SECTION 4.08. Collateral and Guaranty Matters . Each of the First Lien Secured Parties irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent, at its option and in its discretion:

(i) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Collateral Agent under any First Lien Security Document in accordance with Section 2.04 or upon receipt of a written request from the Parent Borrower stating that the releases of such Lien is permitted by the terms of each then extant Secured Credit Document;

(ii) to release any Grantor from its obligations under the First Lien Security Documents upon receipt of a written request from the Parent Borrower stating that such release is permitted by the terms of each then extant Secured Credit Document.

 

 

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ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous

SECTION 5.01. Notices . All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

(a) if to the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent, to it at [JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 1111 Fannin, 10th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention of [●] (Fax No.: [●]) (email: [●]), with a copy];

(b) if to the Initial Additional Authorized Representative, to it at [    ];

(c) if to any other Additional Authorized Representative, to it at the address set forth in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt (if a Business Day) and on the next Business Day thereafter (in all other cases) if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by telecopy or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 5.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 5.01. As agreed to in writing among the Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable person provided from time to time by such person.

SECTION 5.02. Waivers; Amendment; Joinder Agreements .

(a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be terminated, waived, amended or modified (other than pursuant to any Joinder Agreement) except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each Authorized Representative and the Collateral Agent (and with respect to any such termination, waiver, amendment or modification which by the terms of this Agreement requires the Parent Borrower’s consent or which increases the obligations or reduces the rights of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, with the consent of the Parent Borrower).

 

G-17


(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any First Lien Secured Party, any Authorized Representative may become a party hereto by execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement in accordance with Section 5.13 of this Agreement and upon such execution and delivery, such Authorized Representative and the Additional First Lien Secured Parties and Additional First Lien Obligations of the Series for which such Authorized Representative is acting shall be subject to the terms hereof and the terms of the other First Lien Security Documents applicable thereto.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any other Authorized Representative or First Lien Secured Party, the Collateral Agent may effect amendments and modifications to this Agreement to the extent necessary to reflect any incurrence of any Additional First Lien Obligations in compliance with the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5.03. Parties in Interest . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other First Lien Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Agreement.

SECTION 5.04. Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

SECTION 5.05. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 5.06 Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good- faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 5.07. Governing Law; Jurisdiction . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

SECTION 5.08. Submission to Jurisdiction Waivers; Consent to Service of Process . The Collateral Agent and each Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and the First Lien Secured Parties of the Series for whom it is acting, irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the First Lien Security Documents, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient forum and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

G-18


(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Person (or its Authorized Representative) at the address referred to in 5.01;

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right of any other party hereto (or any First Lien Secured Party) to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of any party hereto (or any First Lien Secured Party) to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 5.08 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

SECTION 5.09. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

SECTION 5.10. Headings . Article, Section and Annex headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 5.11. Conflicts . In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any of the other First Lien Security Documents or Additional First Lien Documents the provisions of this Agreement shall control.

SECTION 5.12. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights . The provisions of this Agreement are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the First Lien Secured Parties in relation to one another. None of the Parent Borrower, any other Grantor or any other creditor thereof shall have any rights or obligations hereunder, except as expressly provided in this Agreement ( provided that nothing in this Agreement (other than Section 2.04, 2.05, 2.08, 2.09 or Article V) is intended to or will amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of the Credit Agreement or any Additional First Lien Documents), and none of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor may rely on the terms hereof (other than Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.08, 2.09 and Article V). Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of any Grantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the First Lien Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms.

SECTION 5.13. Additional Senior Debt . To the extent, but only to the extent permitted by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and the Additional First Lien Documents, the Parent Borrower may incur Additional First Lien Obligations. Any such additional class or series of Additional First Lien Obligations (the “ Senior Class  Debt ”) may be secured by a Lien and may be Guaranteed by the Grantors on a senior basis, in each case under and pursuant to the First Lien Documents, if and subject to the condition that the Authorized Representative of any such Senior Class Debt (each, a “ Senior Class  Debt Representative ”), acting on behalf of the holders of such Senior Class Debt (such Authorized Representative and holders in respect of any Senior Class Debt being referred to as the “ Senior Class  Debt Parties ”), becomes a party to this Agreement by satisfying the conditions set forth in clauses (i)  through (v) of the immediately succeeding paragraph.

 

G-19


In order for a Senior Class Debt Representative to become a party to this Agreement,

(i) such Senior Class Debt Representative, the Collateral Agent and each Grantor shall have executed and delivered an instrument substantially in the form of Annex II (with such changes as may be reasonably approved by the Collateral Agent and such Senior Class Representative) pursuant to which such Senior Class Debt Representative becomes an Authorized Representative hereunder, and the Senior Class Debt in respect of which such Senior Class Debt Representative is the Representative and the related Senior Class Debt Parties become subject hereto and bound hereby;

(ii) the Parent Borrower shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent true and complete copies of each of the Additional First Lien Documents relating to such Senior Class Debt, certified as being true and correct by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower;

(iii) all filings, recordations and/or amendments or supplements to the First Lien Security Documents necessary or desirable in the reasonable judgment of the Collateral Agent to confirm and perfect the Liens securing the relevant obligations relating to such Senior Class Debt shall have been made, executed and/or delivered (or, with respect to any such filings or recordations, acceptable provisions to perform such filings or recordings have been taken in the reasonable judgment of the Collateral Agent), and all fees and taxes in connection therewith shall have been paid (or acceptable provisions to make such payments have been taken in the reasonable judgment of the Collateral Agent); and

(iv) the Additional First Lien Documents, as applicable, relating to such Senior Class Debt shall provide, in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, that each Senior Class Debt Party with respect to such Senior Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of this Agreement in its capacity as a holder of such Senior Class Debt.

SECTION 5.14 Integration . This Agreement together with the other Secured Credit Documents and the First Lien Security Documents represents the agreement of each of the Grantors and the First Lien Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Grantor, the Collateral Agent, any or any other First Lien Secured Party relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Secured Credit Documents or the First Lien Security Documents.

 

G-20


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. ,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent,

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by

SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory

Holdings), Inc.,

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE GRANTORS LISTED ON ANNEX I
HERETO,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[F IRST -L IEN I NTERCREDITOR A GREEMENT S IGNATURE P AGE ]


[         ],
as Initial Additional Authorized Representative
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

G-2


ANNEX I

Grantors

[         ]


ANNEX II

[FORM OF] REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT NO. [ ] dated as of [        ], 20[    ] to the FIRST LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [        ], 20[    ] (the “ First Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Parent Borrower (each, a “ Grantor ”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent for the First Lien Secured Parties under the First Lien Security Documents (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”) and as Authorized Representative under the Credit Agreement, [        ], as Initial Additional Authorized Representative, and the additional Authorized Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

A. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

B. As a condition to the ability of the Parent Borrower to incur Additional First Lien Obligations and to secure such Senior Class Debt with the Senior Lien and to have such Senior Class Debt guaranteed by the Grantors on a senior basis, in each case under and pursuant to the First Lien Security Documents, the Senior Class Debt Representative in respect of such Senior Class Debt is required to become an Authorized Representative under, and such Senior Class Debt and the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect thereof are required to become subject to and bound by, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 5.13 of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Senior Class Debt Representative may become an Authorized Representative under, and such Senior Class Debt and such Senior Class Debt Parties may become subject to and bound by, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, upon the execution and delivery by the Senior Class Representative of an instrument in the form of this Supplement and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Section 5.13 of the Senior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The undersigned Senior Class Debt Representative (the “ New Representative ”) is executing this Representative Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien Security Documents.

Accordingly, the Collateral Agent and the New Representative agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 5.13 of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the New Representative by its signature below becomes an Authorized Representative under, and the related Senior Class Debt and Senior Class Debt Parties become subject to and bound by, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Representative had originally been named therein as an Authorized Representative, and the New Representative, on behalf of itself and such Senior Class Debt Parties, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as an Authorized Representative and to the Senior Class Debt Parties that it represents as Additional First Lien Secured Parties. Each reference to an “ Authorized Representative ” in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Representative. The First Lien Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.


SECTION 2. The New Representative represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent and the other First Lien Secured Parties that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this Representative Supplement, in its capacity as [agent] [trustee], (ii) this Representative Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of such Agreement and (iii) the Additional First Lien Documents relating to such Senior Class Debt provide that, upon the New Representative’s entry into this Agreement, the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect of such Senior Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement as Additional First Lien Secured Parties.

SECTION 3. This Representative Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Representative Supplement shall become effective when the Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Representative Supplement that bears the signature of the New Representative. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Representative Supplement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Representative Supplement.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Representative Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Representative shall be given to it at the address set forth below its signature hereto.

SECTION 8. The Parent Borrower agrees to reimburse the Collateral Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Representative Supplement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Collateral Agent.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Representative and the Collateral Agent have duly executed this Representative Supplement to the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW REPRESENTATIVE], as
[             ] for the holders of
[                                 ],
By:                                                                                                   
  Name:
  Title:


Address for notices:

 

 

 

 

 

attention of:

 

 

 

Telecopy:

 

 


Acknowledged by:

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Collateral Agent,

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE GRANTORS
LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Schedule I to the

Supplement to the

First Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Grantors

[         ]


EXHIBIT H

[FORM OF]

SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

Among

SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.,

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,

the other Grantors party hereto,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

as Collateral Agent for the First Lien Secured Parties and

as Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties

[         ]

as the Initial Second Priority Representative

and

each additional Representative from time to time party hereto

dated as of [     ], 20[     ]


SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [        ], 20[    ] (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation, (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the other Grantors (as defined below) party hereto, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as collateral agent for the Senior Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity, the “ Senior Collateral Agent ”) and as Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), [INSERT NAME AND CAPACITY], as Representative for the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Initial Second Priority Representative ”) and each additional Second Priority Representative and Senior Representative that from time to time becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 8.09.

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Senior Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Credit Agreement Secured Parties), the Initial Second Priority Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties) and each additional Senior Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Additional Senior Debt Parties under the applicable Additional Senior Debt Facility) and each additional Second Priority Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties under the applicable Second Priority Debt Facility) agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.10 Certain Defined Terms . Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement or, if defined in the New York UCC, the meanings specified therein. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

Additional Senior Debt ” means any Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower (other than Indebtedness constituting Credit Agreement Obligations) Guaranteed by the Guarantors (and not Guaranteed by any other Subsidiary) which Indebtedness and Guarantees are secured by the Senior Collateral (or a portion thereof) on a pari passu basis (but without regard to control of remedies) with the Credit Agreement Obligations (and not secured by Liens on any other assets of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary); provided , however , that, (i) such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred, secured and Guaranteed on such basis by each Senior Debt Document and Second Priority Debt Document and (ii) the Representative for the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to (A) this Agreement pursuant to, and by satisfying the conditions set forth in, Section 8.09 hereof and (B) the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement pursuant to, and by satisfying the conditions set forth in, Section 5.13 thereof, provided further that, if such Indebtedness will be the initial Additional Senior Debt incurred by the Parent Borrower after the date hereof, then the Guarantors, the Senior Collateral Agent and the Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Additional Senior Debt shall include any Registered Equivalent Notes and Guarantees thereof by the Guarantors issued in exchange therefor.

 

H-1


Additional Senior Debt Documents ” means, with respect to any series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt, the promissory notes, indentures, Collateral Documents or other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, including the Senior Collateral Documents.

Additional Senior Debt Facility ” means each indenture or other governing agreement with respect to any Additional Senior Debt.

Additional Senior Debt Obligations ” means, with respect to any series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt, (a) all principal of, and interest (including, without limitation, any interest which accrues after the commencement of any Bankruptcy Case, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) payable with respect to, such Additional Senior Debt, (b) all other amounts payable to the related Additional Senior Debt Parties under the related Additional Senior Debt Documents and (c) any renewals or extensions of the foregoing.

Additional Senior Debt Parties ” means, with respect to any series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt, the holders of such Indebtedness, the Representative with respect thereto, any trustee or agent therefor under any related Additional Senior Debt Documents and the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by the Parent Borrower or any Guarantor under any related Additional Senior Debt Documents.

Administrative Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement and shall include any successors thereto as provided in Article VIII of the Credit Agreement.

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Bankruptcy Case ” means a case under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law.

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

Bankruptcy Law ” means the Bankruptcy Code and any other federal, state, or foreign law for the relief of debtors, or any arrangement, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, assignment for the benefit of creditors, any other marshalling of the assets or liabilities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or similar law affecting creditors’ rights generally.

Borrower ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Borrowers ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar or Sterling deposits in the London interbank market.

“Class  Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

“Class  Debt Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

“Class  Debt Representatives” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

 

H-2


Collateral ” means the Senior Collateral and the Second Priority Collateral.

Collateral Documents ” means the Senior Collateral Documents and the Second Priority Collateral Documents.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

Credit Agreement ” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011, as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, refinanced or replaced from time to time, among Holdings, the Borrowers, the lenders from time to time party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto.

Credit Agreement Loan Documents ” means the Credit Agreement and the other “Loan Documents” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

Credit Agreement Obligations ” means the “Secured Obligations” as defined in the Security Agreement.

Credit Agreement Secured Parties ” means the “Secured Parties” as defined in the Security Agreement.

Debt Facility ” means any Senior Facility and any Second Priority Debt Facility.

Designated Second Priority Representative ” means (i) the Initial Second Priority Representative, until such time as the Second Priority Debt Facility under the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents ceases to be the only Second Priority Debt Facility under this Agreement and (ii) thereafter, the Second Priority Representative designated from time to time by the Second Priority Instructing Group, in a notice to the Senior Collateral Agent and the Parent Borrower hereunder, as the “Designated Second Priority Representative” for purposes hereof.

DIP Financing ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01.

Discharge ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral and any Debt Facility, the date on which such Debt Facility and the Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations thereunder, as the case may be, are no longer secured by such Shared Collateral. The term “ Discharged ” shall have a corresponding meaning.

Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations ” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Discharge of the Credit Agreement Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral; provided that the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred in connection with a Refinancing of such Credit Agreement Obligations with an Additional Senior Debt Facility secured by such Shared Collateral under one or more Additional Senior Debt Documents which has been designated in writing by the Administrative Agent (under the Credit Agreement so Refinanced) to the Collateral Agent and each other Representative as the “Credit Agreement” for purposes of this Agreement.

Discharge of Senior Obligations ” means the date on which the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and the Discharge of each Additional Senior Debt Facility has occurred.

 

H-3


First Lien Intercreditor Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the Credit Agreement.

Grantors ” means the Parent Borrower and each Subsidiary or direct or indirect parent company of the Parent Borrower which has granted a security interest pursuant to any Collateral Document to secure any Secured Obligations.

Guarantors ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Guarantee Agreement.

Initial Second Priority Debt ” means the Second Priority Debt incurred pursuant to the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents.

Initial Second Priority Debt Documents ” means that certain [[Indenture] dated as of [    ], 20[    ], among the Parent Borrower, [the Guarantors identified therein,] [        ], as [trustee], and [        ], as [paying agent, registrar and transfer agent]] and any notes, security documents and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, including any agreement entered into for the purpose of securing the Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations.

Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations ” means the Second Priority Debt Obligations arising pursuant to the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents.

Initial Second Priority Debt Parties ” means the holders of any Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations and the Initial Second Priority Representative.

Initial Second Priority Representative ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding ” means:

(1) any case commenced by or against the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor under any Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

(2) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

(3) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

“Intellectual Property” means “Intellectual Property” as defined in the Security Agreement.

Joinder Agreement ” means a supplement to this Agreement in the form of Annex III or Annex IV hereof required to be delivered by a Representative to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 8.09 hereof in order to include an additional Debt Facility hereunder and to become the Representative hereunder for the Senior Secured Parties or Second Priority Secured Parties, as the case may be, under such Debt Facility.

 

H-4


Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

Loan Document Obligations ” means “Loan Document Obligations” as defined in the Security Agreement.

Major Additional Senior Representative ” means, at any time, the Senior Representative of the Additional Senior Debt Facility having the largest outstanding principal amount of Additional Senior Debt Obligations of any Additional Senior Debt Facility then outstanding

Majority Credit Agreement Parties ” means the Required Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement), or with respect to any waiver, amendment or request, Credit Agreement Secured Parties having such amount of unused commitments, revolving credit loans or exposures, and outstanding term loans as may be required under the Credit Agreement to approve the same.

Majority Senior Parties ” means (a) prior to the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations, the Majority Credit Agreement Parties and (b) thereafter, with respect to any waiver, amendment or request, Additional Senior Debt Parties under the Additional Senior Debt Facility in respect of which the Major Additional Senior Representative acts as Representative having such amount of Indebtedness and other credit exposure as may be required under such Additional Senior Debt Facility to approve the same.

New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

Officer’s Certificate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.08.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, governmental authority or other entity.

“Pledged or Controlled Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.05(a).

Proceeds ” means the proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of Shared Collateral, any payment or distribution made in respect of Shared Collateral in a Bankruptcy Case and any amounts received by the Collateral Agent or any Senior Secured Party from a Second Priority Debt Party in respect of Shared Collateral pursuant to this Agreement or any other intercreditor agreement.

“Recovery” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

Refinance ” means, in respect of any indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, defease, amend, increase, modify, supplement, restructure, refund, replace or repay, or to issue other indebtedness or enter alternative financing arrangements, in exchange or replacement for such indebtedness (in whole or in part), including by adding or replacing lenders, creditors, agents, borrowers and/or guarantors, and including in each case, but not limited to, after the original instrument giving rise to such indebtedness has been terminated and including, in each case, through any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement. “ Refinanced ” and “ Refinancing ” have correlative meanings.

 

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Registered Equivalent Notes ” means, with respect to any notes originally issued in a Rule 144A or other private placement transaction under the Securities Act of 1933, substantially identical notes (having the same Guarantees) issued in a dollar for dollar exchange therefor pursuant to an exchange offer registered with the SEC.

Representatives ” means the Senior Representatives and the Second Priority Representatives.

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor agency thereto.

“Second Priority Class  Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

“Second Priority Class  Debt Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

“Second Priority Class  Debt Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Second Priority Collateral ” means any “Collateral” as defined in any Second Priority Debt Document or any other assets of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor with respect to which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted pursuant to a Second Priority Collateral Document as security for any Second Priority Debt Obligation.

Second Priority Collateral Documents ” means the Initial Second Priority Collateral Documents and each of the security agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered by the Parent Borrower or any Grantor for purposes of providing collateral security for any Second Priority Debt Obligation.

Second Priority Debt ” means any Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor Guaranteed by the Guarantors (and not Guaranteed by any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor), including the Initial Second Priority Debt, which Indebtedness and Guarantees are secured by the Second Priority Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to control of remedies, other than as provided by the terms of the applicable Second Priority Debt Documents) with any other Second Priority Debt Obligations and the applicable Second Priority Debt Documents of which provide that such Indebtedness and Guarantees are to be secured by such Second Priority Collateral on a subordinate basis to the Senior Debt Obligations (and which is not secured by Liens on any assets of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor other than the Second Priority Collateral or which are not included in the Senior Collateral); provided , however , that (i) such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred, secured and Guaranteed on such basis by each Senior Debt Document and Second Priority Debt Document and (ii) except in the case of the Initial Second Priority Debt hereunder, the Representative for the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to this Agreement pursuant to, and by satisfying the conditions set forth in, Section 8.09 hereof. Second Priority Debt shall include any Registered Equivalent Notes and Guarantees thereof by the Guarantors issued in exchange therefor.

Second Priority Debt Documents ” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents and, with respect to any series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, the promissory notes, indentures, Collateral Documents or other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, including the Second Priority Collateral Documents.

 

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Second Priority Debt Facility ” means each indenture or other governing agreement with respect to any Second Priority Debt.

Second Priority Debt Obligations ” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations and, with respect to any series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, (a) all principal of, and interest (including, without limitation, any interest which accrues after the commencement of any Bankruptcy Case, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) payable with respect to, such Second Priority Debt, (b) all other amounts payable to the related Second Priority Debt Parties under the related Second Priority Debt Documents and (c) any renewals or extensions of the foregoing.

Second Priority Debt Parties ” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties and, with respect to any series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, the holders of such Indebtedness, the Representative with respect thereto, any trustee or agent therefor under any related Second Priority Debt Documents and the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor under any related Second Priority Debt Documents.

Second Priority Instructing Group ” means Second Priority Representatives with respect to Second Priority Debt Facilities under which at least a majority of the then aggregate amount of Second Priority Debt Obligations are outstanding.

Second Priority Lien ” means the Liens on the Second Priority Collateral in favor of Second Priority Debt Parties under Second Priority Collateral Documents.

Second Priority Representative ” means (i) in the case of the Initial Second Priority Debt Facility covered hereby, the Initial Second Priority Representative and (ii) in the case of any Second Priority Debt Facility and the Second Priority Debt Parties thereunder the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under such Second Priority Debt Facility that is named as the Representative in respect of such Second Priority Debt Facility in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Secured Obligations ” means the Senior Obligations and the Second Priority Debt Obligations.

Secured Parties ” means the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties.

Security Agreement ” means the “Collateral Agreement” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

Senior Class  Debt ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Senior Class  Debt Parties ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Senior Class  Debt Representative ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Senior Collateral ” means any “Collateral” as defined in any Credit Agreement Loan Document or any other Senior Debt Document or any other assets of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor with respect to which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted pursuant to a Senior Collateral Document as security for any Senior Debt Obligation.

 

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Senior Collateral Agent ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as collateral agent under the Senior Collateral Documents, and any successor thereof or replacement senior collateral agent appointed in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and, if it is then in effect, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

Senior Collateral Documents ” means the “Security Agreement” and the other “Security Documents” as defined in the Credit Agreement, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement (upon and after the initial execution and delivery thereof by the initial parties thereto) and each of the security agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered by the Parent Borrower or any Grantor for purposes of providing collateral security for any Senior Obligation.

Senior Debt Documents ” means (a) the Credit Agreement Loan Documents and (b) any Additional Senior Debt Documents.

Senior Facilities ” means the Credit Agreement and any Additional Senior Debt Facilities.

Senior Lien ” means the Liens on the Senior Collateral in favor of the Senior Secured Parties under the Senior Collateral Documents.

Senior Obligations ” means the Credit Agreement Obligations and any Additional Senior Debt Obligations.

Senior Representative ” means (i) in the case of any Credit Agreement Obligations or the Credit Agreement Secured Parties, the Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of any Additional Senior Debt Facility and the Additional Senior Debt Parties thereunder (including with respect to any Additional Senior Debt Facility initially covered hereby on the date of this Agreement) the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under such Additional Senior Debt Facility that is named as the Representative in respect of such Additional Senior Debt Facility in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Senior Secured Parties ” means the Credit Agreement Secured Parties and any Additional Senior Debt Parties.

Shared Collateral ” means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders of Senior Obligations under at least one Senior Facility and the holders of Second Priority Debt Obligations under at least one Second Priority Debt Facility (or their Representatives) hold a security interest at such time. If, at any time, any portion of the Senior Collateral under one or more Senior Facilities does not constitute Second Priority Collateral under one or more Second Priority Debt Facilities, then such portion of such Senior Collateral shall constitute Shared Collateral only with respect to the Second Priority Debt Facilities for which it constitutes Second Priority Collateral and shall not constitute Shared Collateral for any Second Priority Debt Facility which does not have a security interest in such Collateral at such time.

Subsidiary ” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise Controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower.

 

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Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” means the New York UCC, or the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or comparable legislation) of another jurisdiction, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, but shall not be deemed to include the subsidiaries of such Person unless express reference is made to such subsidiaries, (iii) the words “herein”, “hereof and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections and Annexes of this Agreement, (v) unless otherwise expressly qualified herein, the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights and (vi) the term “or” is not exclusive.

ARTICLE II

Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Shared Collateral

SECTION 2.01. Subordination .

(a) Notwithstanding the date, time, manner or order of filing or recordation of any document or instrument or grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens granted to any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Parties on the Shared Collateral or of any Liens granted to the Senior Collateral Agent or the Senior Secured Parties on the Shared Collateral (or any actual or alleged defect in any of the foregoing) and notwithstanding any provision of the UCC, any applicable law, any Second Priority Debt Document or any Senior Debt Document or any other circumstance whatsoever, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby agrees that (a) any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing any Senior Obligations now or hereafter held by or on behalf of the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Secured Parties or any Senior Representative or other agent or trustee therefor, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall have priority over and be senior in all respects and prior to any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations and

(b) any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations now or hereafter held by or on behalf of any Second Priority Representative, any Second Priority Debt Parties or any Second Priority Representative or other agent or trustee therefor, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall be junior and subordinate in all respects to all Liens on the Shared Collateral securing any Senior Obligations. All Liens on the Shared Collateral securing any Senior Obligations shall be and remain senior in all respects and prior to all Liens on the Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations for all purposes, whether or not such Liens securing any Senior Obligations are subordinated to any Lien securing any other obligation of the Parent Borrower, any Grantor or any other Person or otherwise subordinated, voided, avoided, invalidated or lapsed.

 

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SECTION 2.02. Nature of Senior Lender Claims . Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges that (a) a portion of the Senior Obligations is revolving in nature and that the amount thereof that may be outstanding at any time or from time to time may be increased or reduced and subsequently reborrowed, (b) the terms of the Senior Debt Documents and the Senior Obligations may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, and the Senior Obligations, or a portion thereof, may be Refinanced from time to time and (c) the aggregate amount of the Senior Obligations may be increased, in each case, without notice to or consent by the Second Priority Representatives or the Second Priority Debt Parties and without affecting the provisions hereof. The Lien priorities provided for in Section 2.01 shall not be altered or otherwise affected by any amendment, supplement or other modification, or any Refinancing, of either the Senior Obligations or the Second Priority Debt Obligations, or any portion thereof. As between the Parent Borrower and the other Grantors and the Second Priority Debt Parties, the foregoing provisions will not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Parent Borrower and the Grantors contained in any Second Priority Debt Document with respect to the incurrence of additional Senior Obligations.

SECTION 2.03. Prohibition on Contesting Liens . Each of the Second Priority Representatives, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it shall not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the validity, extent, perfection, priority or enforceability of any Lien securing any Senior Obligations held (or purported to be held) by or on behalf of the Senior Collateral Agent or any of the Senior Secured Parties or any Senior Representative or other agent or trustee therefor in any Senior Collateral, and the Senior Collateral Agent and each Senior Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Senior Secured Party under its Senior Facility, agrees that it shall not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the validity, extent, perfection, priority or enforceability of any Lien securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations held (or purported to be held) by or on behalf of any of any Second Priority Representative or any of the Second Priority Debt Parties in the Second Priority Collateral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of the Senior Collateral Agent or any Senior Representative to enforce this Agreement (including the priority of the Liens securing the Senior Obligations as provided in Section 2.01) or any of the Senior Debt Documents.

SECTION 2.04. No New Liens . The parties hereto agree that, so long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred (a) none of the Grantors shall grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset or property of any Grantor to secure any Second Priority Debt Obligation unless it has granted, or concurrently therewith grants, a Lien on such asset or property of such Grantor to secure the Senior Obligations; and (b) if any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party shall hold any Lien on any assets or property of any Grantor securing any Second Priority Obligations that are not also subject to the first-priority Liens securing Senior Obligations under the Senior Collateral Documents, such Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party (i) shall notify the Senior Collateral Agent promptly upon becoming aware thereof and, unless such Grantor shall promptly grant a similar Lien on such assets or property to the Senior Collateral Agent as security for the Senior Obligations, shall assign such Lien to the Senior Collateral Agent as security for the Senior Obligations (but may retain a junior lien on such assets or property subject to the terms hereof) and (ii) until such assignment or such grant of a similar Lien to the Senior Collateral Agent, shall be deemed to hold and have held such Lien for the benefit of the Senior Collateral Agent as security for the Senior Obligations.

 

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SECTION 2.05. Perfection of Liens . Except for the agreements of the Senior Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 5.05 hereof, none of the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties shall be responsible for perfecting and maintaining the perfection of Liens with respect to the Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Second Priority Representatives or the Second Priority Debt Parties. The provisions of this Agreement are intended solely to govern the respective Lien priorities as between the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties and shall not impose on the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives, the Second Priority Debt Parties or any agent or trustee therefor any obligations in respect of the disposition of Proceeds of any Shared Collateral which would conflict with prior perfected claims therein in favor of any other Person or any order or decree of any court or governmental authority or any applicable law.

SECTION 2.06. Certain Cash Collateral . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Senior Debt Documents or Second Priority Debt Documents to the contrary, collateral consisting of cash and cash equivalents pledged to secure Loan Document Obligations consisting of reimbursement obligations in respect of Letters of Credit or otherwise held by the Administrative Agent or the Senior Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 2.05(i), 2.11(b) or 2.22(c) of the Credit Agreement (or any equivalent successor provision) shall be applied as specified in such Section of the Credit Agreement and will not constitute Shared Collateral.

ARTICLE III

Enforcement

SECTION 3.01 Exercise of Remedies .

(a) So long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by or against the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, (i) neither any Second Priority Representative nor any Second Priority Debt Party will (x) exercise or seek to exercise any rights or remedies (including setoff or recoupment) with respect to any Shared Collateral in respect of any Second Priority Debt Obligations, or institute any action or proceeding with respect to such rights or remedies (including any action of foreclosure), (y) contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought with respect to the Shared Collateral or any other Senior Collateral by the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party in respect of the Senior Obligations, the exercise of any right by the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party (or any agent or sub-agent on their behalf) in respect of the Senior Obligations under any lockbox agreement, control agreement, landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or similar agreement or arrangement to which the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party either is a party or may have rights as a third party beneficiary, or any other exercise by any such party of any rights and remedies relating to the Shared Collateral under the Senior Debt Documents or otherwise in respect of the Senior Collateral or the Senior Obligations, or (z) object to the forbearance by the Senior Secured Parties from bringing or pursuing any foreclosure proceeding or action or any other exercise of any rights or remedies relating to the Shared Collateral in respect of Senior Obligations and (ii) except as otherwise provided herein, the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties shall have the exclusive right to enforce rights, exercise remedies (including setoff, recoupment, and the right to credit bid their debt) and make determinations regarding the release, disposition or restrictions with respect to the Shared Collateral without any consultation with or the consent of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party; provided , however , that (A) in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding commenced by or against the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, any Second Priority Representative may file a claim or statement of interest with respect to the Second Priority Debt Obligations under its Second Priority Debt Facility,

 

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(B) any Second Priority Representative may take any action (not adverse to the prior Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the Senior Obligations or the rights of the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties to exercise remedies in respect thereof) in order to create, prove, perfect, preserve or protect (but not enforce) its rights in, and perfection and priority of its Lien on, the Shared Collateral, (C) any Second Priority Representative and the Second Priority Secured Parties may exercise their rights and remedies as unsecured creditors, as provided in Section 5.04, and (D) any Second Priority Representative may exercise the rights and remedies provided for in Section 6.03. In exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Senior Collateral, the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties may enforce the provisions of the Senior Debt Documents and exercise remedies thereunder, all in such order and in such manner as they may determine in the exercise of their sole discretion. Such exercise and enforcement shall include the rights of an agent appointed by them to sell or otherwise dispose of Shared Collateral upon foreclosure, to incur expenses in connection with such sale or disposition and to exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured lender under the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction and of a secured creditor under Bankruptcy Laws of any applicable jurisdiction.

(b) So long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will not, in the context of its role as secured creditor, take or receive any Shared Collateral or any Proceeds of Shared Collateral in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy (including setoff or recoupment) with respect to any Shared Collateral in respect of Second Priority Debt Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, except as expressly provided in the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a), the sole right of the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties with respect to the Shared Collateral is to hold a Lien on the Shared Collateral in respect of Second Priority Debt Obligations pursuant to the Second Priority Debt Documents for the period and to the extent granted therein and to receive a share of the Proceeds thereof, if any, after the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred.

(c) Subject to the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a), (i) each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that neither such Second Priority Representative nor any such Second Priority Debt Party will take any action that would hinder any exercise of remedies undertaken by the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party with respect to the Shared Collateral under the Senior Debt Documents, including any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of the Shared Collateral, whether by foreclosure or otherwise, and (ii) each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby waives any and all rights it or any such Second Priority Debt Party may have as a junior lien creditor or otherwise to object to the manner in which the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties seek to enforce or collect the Senior Obligations or the Liens granted on any of the Senior Collateral, regardless of whether any action or failure to act by or on behalf of the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party is adverse to the interests of the Second Priority Debt Parties.

(d) Each Second Priority Representative hereby acknowledges and agrees that no covenant, agreement or restriction contained in any Second Priority Debt Document shall be deemed to restrict in any way the rights and remedies of the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties with respect to the Senior Collateral as set forth in this Agreement and the Senior Debt Documents.

 

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(e) Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations, the Senior Collateral Agent and the Majority Senior Parties (or such other Senior Representative as shall be authorized in accordance with the provisions of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, if then in effect, to direct the Senior Collateral Agent or otherwise take such action) shall have the exclusive right to exercise any right or remedy with respect to the Shared Collateral and shall have the exclusive right to determine and direct the time, method and place for exercising such right or remedy or conducting any proceeding with respect thereto. Following the Discharge of Senior Obligations, the Second Priority Instructing Group and the Designated Second Priority Representative shall have the exclusive right to exercise any right or remedy with respect to the Collateral, and the Second Priority Instructing Group and Designated Second Priority Representative shall have the exclusive right to direct the time, method and place of exercising or conducting any proceeding for the exercise of any right or remedy available to the Second Priority Debt Parties with respect to the Collateral, or of exercising or directing the exercise of any trust or power conferred on the Second Priority Representatives, or for the taking of any other action authorized by the Second Priority Collateral Documents; provided , however , that nothing in this Section shall impair the right of any Second Priority Representative or other agent or trustee acting on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties to take such actions with respect to the Collateral after the Discharge of Senior Obligations as may be otherwise required or authorized pursuant to any intercreditor agreement governing the Second Priority Debt Parties or the Second Priority Debt Obligations.

SECTION 3.02. Cooperation . Subject to the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a), each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that, unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, it will not commence, or join with any Person (other than the Senior Secured Parties and the Senior Collateral Agent upon the request thereof) in commencing, any enforcement, collection, execution, levy or foreclosure action or proceeding with respect to any Lien held by it in the Shared Collateral under any of the Second Priority Debt Documents or otherwise in respect of the Second Priority Debt Obligations.

SECTION 3.03. Actions upon Breach . Should any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, contrary to this Agreement, in any way take, attempt to take or threaten to take any action with respect to the Shared Collateral (including any attempt to realize upon or enforce any remedy with respect to this Agreement) or fail to take any action required by this Agreement, the Senior Collateral Agent or any Senior Representative or other Senior Secured Party (in its or their own name or in the name of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor) or the Parent Borrower may obtain relief against such Second Priority Representative or such Second Priority Debt Party by injunction, specific performance or other appropriate equitable relief. Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Facility, hereby (i) agrees that the Senior Secured Parties’ damages from the actions of the Second Party Representatives or any Second Priority Debt Party may at that time be difficult to ascertain and may be irreparable and waives any defense that the Parent Borrower, any other Grantor or the Senior Secured Parties cannot demonstrate damage or be made whole by the awarding of damages and (ii) irrevocably waives any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law and any other defense that might be asserted to bar the remedy of specific performance in any action that may be brought by the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or and Senior Secured Party.

 

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ARTICLE IV

Payments

SECTION 4.01. Application of Proceeds . After an event of default under any Senior Debt Document has occurred and until such event of default is cured or waived, so long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, the Shared Collateral or Proceeds thereof received in connection with the sale or other disposition of, or collection on, such Shared Collateral upon the exercise of remedies shall be applied by the Senior Collateral Agent to the Senior Obligations in such order as specified in the relevant Senior Debt Documents until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred. Upon the Discharge of Senior Obligations, the Senior Collateral Agent shall deliver promptly to the Designated Second Priority Representative any Shared Collateral or Proceeds thereof held by it in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct, to be applied by the Trustee to the Second Priority Debt Obligations in such order as specified in the relevant Second Priority Debt Documents.

SECTION 4.02. Payments Over . Any Shared Collateral or Proceeds thereof received by any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy (including setoff or recoupment) relating to the Shared Collateral in contravention of this Agreement shall be segregated and held in trust for the benefit of and forthwith paid over to the Senior Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. The Senior Collateral Agent is hereby authorized to make any such endorsements as agent for each of the Second Priority Representatives or any such Second Priority Debt Party. This authorization is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable.

ARTICLE V

Other Agreements

SECTION 5.01. Releases .

(a) Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that, in the event of a sale, transfer or other disposition of any specified item of Shared Collateral (including all or substantially all of the equity interests of any subsidiary of the Parent Borrower), the Liens granted to the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties upon such Shared Collateral to secure Second Priority Debt Obligations shall terminate and be released, automatically and without any further action, concurrently with the termination and release of all Liens granted upon such Shared Collateral to secure Senior Obligations. Upon delivery to a Second Priority Representative of an Officer’s Certificate stating that any such termination and release of Liens securing the Senior Obligations has become effective (or shall become effective concurrently with such termination and release of the Liens granted to the Second Priority Debt Parties and the Second Priority Representatives) and any necessary or proper instruments of termination or release prepared by the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor, such Second Priority Representative will promptly execute, deliver or acknowledge, at the Parent Borrower’s or the other Grantor’s sole cost and expense, such instruments to evidence such termination and release of the Liens. Nothing in this Section 5.01(a) will be deemed to affect any agreement of a Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties under its Second Priority Debt Facility, to release the Liens on the Second Priority Collateral as set forth in the relevant Second Priority Debt Documents.

(b) Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Senior Collateral Agent and any officer or agent of the Senior Collateral Agent, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Second Priority Representative or such Second Priority Debt Party or in the Senior Collateral Agent’s own name, from time to time in the Senior Collateral Agent’s discretion, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of Section 5.01(a), to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments that may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of Section 5.01(a), including any termination statements, endorsements or other instruments of transfer or release.

 

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(c) Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby consents to the application, whether prior to or after an event of default under any Senior Debt Document of proceeds of Shared Collateral to the repayment of Senior Obligations pursuant to the Senior Debt Documents, provided that nothing in this Section 5.01(c) shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of the Second Priority Representatives or the Second Priority Debt Parties to receive proceeds in connection with the Second Priority Debt Obligations not otherwise in contravention of this Agreement.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Second Priority Collateral Document, in the event the terms of a Senior Collateral Document and a Second Priority Collateral Document each require any Grantor (i) to make payment in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, (ii) to deliver or afford control over any item of Shared Collateral to, or deposit any item of Shared Collateral with, (iii) to register ownership of any item of Shared Collateral in the name of or make an assignment of ownership of any Shared Collateral or the rights thereunder to, (iv) cause any securities intermediary, commodity intermediary or other Person acting in a similar capacity to agree to comply, in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, with instructions or orders from, or to treat, in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, as the entitlement holder, (v) hold any item of Shared Collateral in trust for (to the extent such item of Shared Collateral cannot be held in trust for multiple parties under applicable law), (vi) obtain the agreement of a bailee or other third party to hold any item of Shared Collateral for the benefit of or subject to the control of or, in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, to follow the instructions of or (vii) obtain the agreement of a landlord with respect to access to leased premises where any item of Shared Collateral is located or waivers or subordination of rights with respect to any item of Shared Collateral in favor of, in any case, both the Senior Collateral Agent and any Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party, such Grantor may, until the applicable Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, comply with such requirement under the Second Priority Collateral Document as it relates to such Shared Collateral by taking any of the actions set forth above only with respect to, or in favor of, the Senior Collateral Agent.

SECTION 5.02 Insurance and Condemnation Awards . Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, the Senior Collateral Agent and the Senior Secured Parties shall have the sole and exclusive right, subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Senior Debt Documents, (a) to be named as additional insured and loss payee under any insurance policies maintained from time to time by any Grantor, (b) to adjust settlement for any insurance policy covering the Shared Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and (c) to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the Shared Collateral. Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, all proceeds of any such policy and any such award, if in respect of the Shared Collateral, shall be paid (i) first, prior to the occurrence of the Discharge of Senior Obligations, to the Senior Collateral Agent for the benefit of Senior Secured Parties pursuant to the terms of the Senior Debt Documents, (ii) second, after the occurrence of the Discharge of Senior Obligations, to the Designated Second Priority Representative for the benefit of the Second Priority Debt Parties pursuant to the terms of the applicable Second Priority Debt Documents and (iii) third, if no Second Priority Debt Obligations are outstanding, to the owner of the subject property, such other Person as may be entitled thereto or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. If any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party shall, at any time, receive any proceeds of any such insurance policy or any such award in contravention of this Agreement, it shall pay such proceeds over to the Senior Collateral Agent in accordance with the terms of Section 4.02.

 

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SECTION 5.03. Amendments to Second Priority Collateral Documents .

(a) Without the prior written consent of the Senior Collateral Agent and the Majority Senior Parties, no Second Priority Collateral Document may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or entered into to the extent such amendment, supplement or modification, or the terms of any new Second Priority Collateral Document, would be prohibited by or inconsistent with any of the terms of this Agreement. The Parent Borrower agrees to deliver to the Senior Collateral Agent copies of (i) any amendments, supplements or other modifications to the Second Priority Collateral Documents and (ii) any new Second Priority Collateral Documents promptly after effectiveness thereof, each, Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that each Second Priority Collateral Document under its Second Priority Debt Facility shall include the following language (or language to similar effect reasonably approved by the Senior Collateral Agent):

“Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to the [Second Priority Representative] pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject and subordinate to the liens and security interests granted in favor of the Senior Secured Parties (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement referred to below), including liens and security interests granted to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, pursuant to or in connection with the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation, the lenders party thereto, the other parties thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the [Second Priority Representative] hereunder is subject to the limitations and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement dated as of [ ], 20[ ] (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as collateral agent, SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities party thereto. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.”

(b) In the event that the Senior Collateral Agent or the Senior Secured Parties enter into any amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the Senior Collateral Documents for the purpose of adding to or deleting from, or waiving or consenting to any departures from any provisions of, any Senior Collateral Document or changing in any manner the rights of the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Secured Parties, the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor thereunder (including the release of any Liens in Senior Collateral), then such amendment, waiver or consent shall apply automatically to any comparable provision of the comparable Second Priority Collateral Documents without the consent of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party and without any action by any Second Priority Representative, the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor; provided , however , that written notice of such amendment, waiver or consent shall have been given to each Second Priority Representative within 10 Business Days after the effectiveness of such amendment, waiver or consent.

 

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SECTION 5.04. Rights as Unsecured Creditors . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties may exercise rights and remedies as unsecured creditors against the Parent Borrower and any other Grantor in accordance with the terms of the Second Priority Debt Documents and applicable law. Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the receipt by any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party of the required payments of principal, premium, interest, fees and other amounts due under the Second Priority Debt Documents so long as such receipt is not the direct or indirect result of the exercise by a Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party of rights or remedies as a secured creditor in respect of Shared Collateral. In the event any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party becomes a judgment lien creditor in respect of Shared Collateral as a result of its enforcement of its rights as an unsecured creditor in respect of Second Priority Debt Obligations, such judgment lien shall be subordinated to the Liens securing Senior Obligations on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to such Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall impair or otherwise adversely affect any rights or remedies the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties may have with respect to the Senior Collateral.

SECTION 5.05. Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection .

(a) The Senior Collateral Agent acknowledges and agrees that if it shall at any time hold a Lien securing any Senior Obligations on any Shared Collateral that can be perfected by the possession or control of such Shared Collateral or of any account in which such Shared Collateral is held, and if such Shared Collateral or any such account is in fact in the possession or under the control of the Senior Collateral Agent, or of agents or bailees of the Senior Collateral Agent (such Shared Collateral being referred to herein as the “Pledged or Controlled Collateral” ), or if it shall any time obtain any landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or any similar agreement or arrangement granting it rights or access to Shared Collateral, the Senior Collateral Agent shall also hold such Pledged or Controlled Collateral, or take such actions with respect to such landlord waiver, bailee’s letter or similar agreement or arrangement, as sub-agent or gratuitous bailee for the relevant Second Priority Representatives, in each case solely for the purpose of perfecting the Liens granted under the relevant Second Priority Collateral Documents and subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5.05.

(b) In the event that the Senior Collateral Agent (or its agents or bailees) has Lien filings against Intellectual Property that is part of the Shared Collateral that are necessary for the perfection of Liens in such Shared Collateral, the Senior Collateral Agent agrees to hold such Liens as sub-agent and gratuitous bailee for the relevant Second Priority Representatives and any assignee thereof, solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Liens pursuant to the relevant Second Priority Collateral Documents, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5.05.

(c) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, the Senior Collateral Agent shall be entitled to deal with the Pledged or Controlled Collateral in accordance with the terms of the Senior Debt Documents as if the Liens under the Second Priority Collateral Documents did not exist. The rights of the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties with respect to the Pledged or Controlled Collateral shall at all times be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

(d) The Senior Collateral Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to the Second Priority Representatives or any Second Priority Debt Party to assure that any of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral is genuine or owned by the Grantors or to protect or preserve rights or benefits of any Person or any rights pertaining to the Shared Collateral, except as expressly set forth in this Section 5.05. The duties or responsibilities of the Senior Collateral Agent under this Section 5.05 shall be limited solely to holding or controlling the Shared Collateral and the related Liens referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.05 as subagent and gratuitous bailee for the relevant Second Priority Representative for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such Second Priority Representative.

 

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(e) The Senior Collateral Agent shall not have by reason of the Second Priority Collateral Documents or this Agreement, or any other document, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, and each, Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby waives and releases the Senior Collateral Agent from all claims and liabilities arising pursuant to the Senior Collateral Agent’s role under this Section 5.05 as sub-agent and gratuitous bailee with respect to the Shared Collateral.

(f) Upon the Discharge of Senior Obligations, the Senior Collateral Agent shall, at the Grantors’ sole cost and expense, (i) (A) deliver to the Designated Second Priority Representative, to the extent that it is legally permitted to do so, all Shared Collateral, including all proceeds thereof, held or controlled by the Senior Collateral Agent or any of its agents or bailees, including the transfer of possession and control, as applicable, of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral, together with any necessary endorsements and notices to depositary banks, securities intermediaries and commodities intermediaries, and assign its rights under any landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or any similar agreement or arrangement granting it rights or access to Shared Collateral, or (B) direct and deliver such Shared Collateral as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct, (ii) notify any applicable insurance carrier that it is no longer entitled to be a loss payee or additional insured under the insurance policies of any Grantor issued by such insurance carrier and (iii) notify any governmental authority involved in any condemnation or similar proceeding involving any Grantor that the Designated Second Party Representative is entitled to approve any awards granted in such proceeding. The Parent Borrower and the other Grantors shall take such further action as is required to effectuate the transfer contemplated hereby and shall indemnify the Senior Collateral Agent for loss or damage suffered by the Senior Collateral Agent as a result of such transfer, except for loss or damage suffered by the Senior Collateral Agent as a result of its own wilful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith. The Senior Collateral Agent has no obligation to follow instructions from the Designated Second Priority Representative in contravention of this Agreement.

(g) Neither the Senior Collateral Agent nor any of the Senior Representatives or Senior Secured Parties shall be required to marshal any present or future collateral security for any obligations of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary to the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party under the Senior Debt Documents or any assurance of payment in respect thereof, or to resort to such collateral security or other assurances of payment in any particular order, and all of their rights in respect of such collateral security or any assurance of payment in respect thereof shall be cumulative and in addition to all other rights, however existing or arising.

SECTION 5.06. When Discharge of Senior Obligations Deemed to Not Have Occurred . If, at any time after the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary incurs any Senior Obligations (other than in respect of the payment of indemnities surviving the Discharge of Senior Obligations), then such Discharge of Senior Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement (other than with respect to any actions taken prior to the date of such designation as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of Senior Obligations) and the applicable agreement governing such Senior Obligations shall automatically be treated as a Senior Debt Document for all purposes of this Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Shared Collateral set forth herein and the granting by the Senior Collateral Agent of amendments, waivers and consents hereunder and the agent, representative or trustee for the holders of such Senior Obligations shall be the Senior Collateral Agent for all purposes of this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of such incurrence (including the identity of the new Senior Collateral Agent), each Second Priority Representatives (including the Designated Second Priority Representative)

 

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shall promptly (a) enter into such documents and agreements (at the expense of the Parent Borrower), including amendments or supplements to this Agreement, as the Parent Borrower or such new Senior Collateral Agent shall reasonably request in writing in order to provide the new Senior Collateral Agent the rights of the Senior Collateral Agent contemplated hereby, (b) deliver to the Senior Collateral Agent, to the extent that it is legally permitted to do so, all Shared Collateral, including all proceeds thereof, held or controlled by such Second Priority Representative or any of its agents or bailees, including the transfer of possession and control, as applicable, of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral, together with any necessary endorsements and notices to depositary banks, securities intermediaries and commodities intermediaries, and assign its rights under any landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or any similar agreement or arrangement granting it rights or access to Shared Collateral, (c) notify any applicable insurance carrier that it is no longer entitled to be a loss payee or additional insured under the insurance policies of any Grantor issued by such insurance carrier and (d) notify any governmental authority involved in any condemnation or similar proceeding involving a Grantor that the new Senior Collateral Agent is entitled to approve any awards granted in such proceeding.

ARTICLE VI

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings .

SECTION 6.01. Financing Issues . Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, if the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor shall be subject to any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party shall desire to consent (or not object) to the sale, use or lease of cash or other collateral or to consent (or not object) to the Parent Borrower’s or any other Grantor’s obtaining financing under Section 363 or Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law (“ DIP Financing ”), then each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will raise no (a) objection to and will not otherwise contest such sale, use or lease of such cash or other collateral or such DIP Financing and, except to the extent permitted by the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a) and Section 6.03, will not request adequate protection or any other relief in connection therewith and, to the extent the Liens securing the Senior Obligations under the Credit Agreement or, if no Credit Agreement exists, under the other Senior Debt Documents are subordinated or pari passu with such DIP Financing, will subordinate (and will be deemed hereunder to have subordinated) its Liens in the Shared Collateral to (x) such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto) on the same basis as the Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement, (y) any adequate protection Liens provided to the Senior Secured Parties, and (z) to any “carve-out” for professional and United States Trustee fees agreed to by the Senior Collateral Agent or the Senior Representatives, (b) objection to (and will not otherwise contest) any motion for relief from the automatic stay or from any injunction against foreclosure or enforcement in respect of Senior Obligations made by Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party, (c) objection to (and will not otherwise contest) any lawful exercise by any Senior Secured Party of the right to credit bid Senior Obligations at any sale in foreclosure of Senior Collateral or to exercise any rights under Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, (d) objection to (and will not otherwise contest) any other request for judicial relief made in any court by any Senior Secured Party relating to the lawful enforcement of any Lien on Senior Collateral or (e) objection to (and will not otherwise contest or oppose) any order relating to a sale or other disposition of assets of any Grantor for which the Senior Collateral Agent has consented that provides, to the extent such sale or other disposition is to be free and clear of Liens, that the Liens securing the Senior Obligations and the Second Priority Debt Obligations will attach to the proceeds of the sale on the same basis of priority as the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the Senior Obligations rank to the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations pursuant to this Agreement. Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that notice received two Business Days prior to the entry of an order approving such usage of cash or other collateral or approving such financing shall be adequate notice.

 

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SECTION 6.02. Relief from the Automatic Stay . Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that none of them shall seek relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or take any action in derogation thereof, in each case in respect of any Shared Collateral, without the prior written consent of the Senior Collateral Agent.

SECTION 6.03. Adequate Protection . Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that none of them shall object, contest or support any other Person objecting to or contesting (a) any request by the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties for adequate protection, (b) any objection by the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on the Senior Collateral Agent’s or any Senior Representative’s or Senior Secured Party’s claiming a lack of adequate protection or (c) the payment of interest, fees, expenses or other amounts of the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party under Section 506(b) or 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 6.03 or in Section 6.01, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (i) if the Senior Secured Parties (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection in the form of additional collateral in connection with any DIP Financing or use of cash collateral under Section 363 or 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law and the Senior Collateral Agent and the other Senior Secured Parties do not object to the adequate protection being provided to the Senior Secured Parties, then the each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, may seek or request adequate protection in the form of a replacement Lien on such additional collateral, which Lien is subordinated to the Liens securing the Senior Obligations and such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto) on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to the Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement and (ii) in the event any Second Priority Representatives, for themselves and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties under their Second Priority Debt Facilities, seek or request adequate protection and such adequate protection is granted in the form of additional collateral, then such Second Priority Representatives, for themselves and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under their Second Priority Debt Facilities, agree that the Senior Collateral Agent shall also be granted a senior Lien on such additional collateral as security for the Senior Obligations and any such DIP Financing and that any Lien on such additional collateral securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations shall be subordinated to the Liens on such collateral securing the Senior Obligations and any such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto) and any other Liens granted to the Senior Secured Parties as adequate protection on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to such Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement.

SECTION 6.04. Preference Issues . If any Senior Secured Party is required in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise to disgorge, turn over or otherwise pay any amount to the estate of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor (or any trustee, receiver or similar Person therefor), because the payment of such amount was declared to be fraudulent or preferential in any respect or for any other reason, any amount (a “ Recovery ”), whether received as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff, recoupment or otherwise, then the Senior Obligations shall be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and deemed to be outstanding as if such payment had not occurred and the Senior Secured Parties shall be entitled to a Discharge of Senior Obligations with respect to all such recovered

 

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amounts. If this Agreement shall have been terminated prior to such Recovery, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of the parties hereto. Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby agrees that none of them shall be entitled to benefit from any avoidance action affecting or otherwise relating to any distribution or allocation made in accordance with this Agreement, whether by preference or otherwise, it being understood and agreed that the benefit of such avoidance action otherwise allocable to them shall instead be allocated and turned over for application in accordance with the priorities set forth in this Agreement.

SECTION 6.05. Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classifications . Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges and agrees that (a) the grants of Liens pursuant to the Senior Collateral Documents and the Second Priority Collateral Documents constitute two separate and distinct grants of Liens and (b) because of, among other things, their differing rights in the Shared Collateral, the Second Priority Debt Obligations are fundamentally different from the Senior Obligations and must be separately classified in any plan of reorganization proposed or adopted in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it is held that the claims of the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties in respect of the Shared Collateral constitute only one secured claim (rather than separate classes of senior and junior secured claims), then each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby acknowledges and agrees that all distributions shall be made as if there were separate classes of senior and junior secured claims against the Grantors in respect of the Shared Collateral (with the effect being that, to the extent that the aggregate value of the Shared Collateral is sufficient (for this purpose ignoring all claims held by the Second Priority Debt Parties), the Senior Secured Parties shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of post-petition interest, fees, and expenses (whether or not allowed or allowable) before any distribution is made in respect of the Second Priority Debt Obligations, with each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the Senior Collateral Agent amounts otherwise received or receivable by them to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing the claim or recovery of the Second Priority Debt Parties.

SECTION 6.06. No Waivers of Rights of Senior Secured Parties . Nothing contained herein shall, except as expressly provided herein, prohibit or in any way limit the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party from objecting in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise to any action taken by any Second Priority Debt Party, including the seeking by any Second Priority Debt Party of adequate protection or the asserting by any Second Priority Debt Party of any of its rights and remedies under the Second Priority Debt Documents or otherwise.

SECTION 6.07. Application . This Agreement, which the parties hereto expressly acknowledge is a “subordination agreement” under Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, shall be effective before, during and after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. The relative rights as to the Shared Collateral and proceeds thereof shall continue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding on the same basis as prior to the date of the petition therefor, subject to any court order approving the financing of, or use of cash collateral by, any Grantor. All references herein to any Grantor shall include such Grantor as a debtor-in-possession and any receiver or trustee for such Grantor.

 

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SECTION 6.08. Other Matters . To the extent that any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party has or acquires rights under Section 363 or Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law with respect to any of the Shared Collateral, such Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees not to assert any such rights without the prior written consent of the Senior Collateral Agent, provided that if requested by the Senior Collateral Agent, such Second Priority Representative shall timely exercise such rights in the manner requested by the Senior Collateral Agent, including any rights to payments in respect of such rights.

SECTION 6.09 506(c) Claims . Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will not assert or enforce any claim under Section 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law senior to or on a parity with the Liens securing the Senior Obligations for costs or expenses of preserving or disposing of any Shared Collateral.

SECTION 6.10. Reorganization Securities . If, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, debt obligations of the reorganized debtor secured by Liens upon any property of the reorganized debtor are distributed, pursuant to a plan of reorganization or similar dispositive restructuring plan, on account of both the Senior Obligations and the Second Priority Debt Obligations, then, to the extent the debt obligations distributed on account of the Senior Obligations and on account of the Second Priority Debt Obligations are secured by Liens upon the same assets or property, the provisions of this Agreement will survive the distribution of such debt obligations pursuant to such plan and will apply with like effect to the Liens securing such debt obligations.

ARTICLE VII

Reliance; etc.

SECTION 7.01. Reliance . The consent by the Senior Secured Parties to the execution and delivery of the Second Priority Debt Documents to which the Senior Secured Parties have consented and all loans and other extensions of credit made or deemed made on and after the date hereof by the Senior Secured Parties to the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been given and made in reliance upon this Agreement. Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges that it and such Second Priority Debt Parties have, independently and without reliance on the Senior Collateral Agent or any Senior Representative or other Senior Secured Party, and based on documents and information deemed by them appropriate, made their own credit analysis and decision to enter into the Second Priority Debt Documents to which they are party or by which they are bound, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and they will continue to make their own credit decision in taking or not taking any action under the Second Priority Debt Documents or this Agreement.

SECTION 7.02. No Warranties or Liability . Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges and agrees that neither the Senior Collateral Agent nor any Senior Representative or other Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectibility or enforceability of any of the Senior Debt Documents, the ownership of any Shared Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon. The Senior Secured Parties will be entitled to manage and supervise their respective loans and extensions of credit under the Senior Debt Documents in accordance with law and as they may otherwise, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate, and the Senior Secured Parties may manage their loans and extensions of credit without

 

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regard to any rights or interests that the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties have in the Shared Collateral or otherwise, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. Neither the Senior Collateral Agent nor any Senior Representative or other Senior Secured Party shall have any duty to any Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party to act or refrain from acting in a manner that allows, or results in, the occurrence or continuance of an event of default or default under any agreement with the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary (including the Second Priority Debt Documents), regardless of any knowledge thereof that they may have or be charged with. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties have not otherwise made to each other, nor do they hereby make to each other, any warranties, express or implied, nor do they assume any liability to each other with respect to (a) the enforceability, validity, value or collectibility of any of the Senior Obligations, the Second Priority Debt Obligations or any guarantee or security which may have been granted to any of them in connection therewith, (b) any Grantor’s title to or right to transfer any of the Shared Collateral or (c) any other matter except as expressly set forth in this Agreement.

SECTION 7.03. Obligations Unconditional . All rights, interests, agreements and obligations of the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties hereunder shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:

(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Document;

(b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other terms of, all or any of the Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations, or any amendment or waiver or other modification, including any increase in the amount thereof, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, of the terms of the Credit Agreement or any other Senior Debt Document or of the terms of any Second Priority Debt Document;

(c) any exchange of any security interest in any Shared Collateral or any other collateral or any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether in writing or by course of conduct or otherwise, of all or any of the Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations or any guarantee thereof;

(d) the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor; or

(e) any other circumstances that otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, (i) the Parent Borrower or any other Grantor in respect of the Senior Obligations or (ii) any Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party in respect of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

Miscellaneous

SECTION 8.01. Conflicts . Subject to Section 8.18, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.

 

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SECTION 8.02. Continuing Nature of this Agreement; Severability . Subject to Section 6.04, this Agreement shall continue to be effective until the Discharge of Senior Obligations shall have occurred. This is a continuing agreement of Lien subordination, and the Senior Secured Parties may continue, at any time and without notice to the Second Priority Representatives or any Second Priority Debt Party, to extend credit and other financial accommodations and lend monies to or for the benefit of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary constituting Senior Obligations in reliance hereon. The terms of this Agreement shall survive and continue in full force and effect in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 8.03. Amendments; Waivers .

(a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) The Majority Senior Parties (or the Senior Collateral Agent acting with the approval of the Majority Senior Parties) and the Second Priority Instructing Group (and with respect to any such amendment, supplement or waiver (i) which by the terms of this Agreement requires the Parent Borrower’s consent or which increases the obligations or reduces the rights of the Parent Borrower or any Grantor, with the consent of the Parent Borrower, (ii) which by the terms of this Agreement requires the consent of any Second Priority Representative or which increases the obligations or reduces the rights of a Second Priority Representative, with the consent of such Second Priority Representative, (iii) which by its terms adversely affects the rights of the Second Priority Debt Parties under a particular Second Priority Debt Facility, in a manner materially different from its effect on the other Second Priority Debt Facilities, with the consent of the Representative for such Second Priority Debt Facility and (iv) which by its terms adversely affects the rights of the Senior Secured Parties under a particular Senior Debt Facility in a manner materially different from its effect on the other Senior Debt Facilities, with the consent of the Representative for such Senior Debt Facility) may from time to time amend, supplement or waive any provision hereof. Any such amendment, supplement or waiver shall be in writing and shall be binding upon the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Secured Party, any Representative may become a party hereto by execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement in accordance with Section 8.09 of this Agreement and upon such execution and delivery, such Representative and the Secured Parties and Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations of the Debt Facility for which such Representative is acting shall be subject to the terms hereof.

 

 

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SECTION 8.04. Information Concerning Financial Condition of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries . The Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Secured Parties shall each be responsible for keeping themselves informed of (a) the financial condition of the Parent Borrower and the Subsidiaries and all endorsers or guarantors of the Senior Obligations or the Second Priority Debt Obligations and (b) all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Senior Obligations or the Second Priority Debt Obligations. The Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Secured Parties shall have no duty to advise any other party hereunder of information known to it or them regarding such condition or any such circumstances or otherwise. In the event that the Senior Collateral Agent, any Senior Representative, any Senior Secured Party, any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to any other party, it shall be under no obligation to (i) make, and the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties shall not make or be deemed to have made, any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or validity of any such information so provided, (ii) provide any additional information or to provide any such information on any subsequent occasion, (iii) undertake any investigation or (iv) disclose any information that, pursuant to accepted or reasonable commercial finance practices, such party wishes to maintain confidential or is otherwise required to maintain confidential.

SECTION 8.05. Subrogation . Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby waives any rights of subrogation it may acquire as a result of any payment hereunder until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred.

SECTION 8.06. Application of Payments . Except as otherwise provided herein, all payments received by the Senior Secured Parties may be applied, reversed and reapplied, in whole or in part, to such part of the Senior Obligations as the Senior Secured Parties, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate, consistent with the terms of the Senior Debt Documents. Except as otherwise provided herein, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, assents to any such extension or postponement of the time of payment of the Senior Obligations or any part thereof and to any other indulgence with respect thereto, to any substitution, exchange or release of any security that may at any time secure any part of the Senior Obligations and to the addition or release of any other Person primarily or secondarily liable therefor.

SECTION 8.07. Additional Grantors . The Parent Borrower agrees that, if any Subsidiary shall become a Grantor after the date hereof, it will promptly cause such Subsidiary to become party hereto by executing and delivering an instrument in the form of Annex II. Upon such execution and delivery, such Subsidiary will become a Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Grantor herein. The execution and delivery of such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party hereunder, and will be acknowledged by the Designated Second Priority Representative and the Senior Collateral Agent. The rights and obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Grantor as a party to this Agreement.

SECTION 8.08. Dealings with Grantors . Upon any application or demand by the Parent Borrower or any Grantor to the Senior Collateral Agent, the Majority Senior Parties, the Second Priority Instructing Group or the Designated Second Priority Representative to take or permit any action under any of the provisions of this Agreement or under any Collateral Document (if such action is subject to the provisions hereof), the Parent Borrower or such Grantor, as appropriate, shall furnish to the Designated Second Priority Representative or the Senior Collateral Agent a certificate of an appropriate officer (an

 

 

H-25


Officer s Certificate ) stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Agreement or such Collateral Document, as the case may be, relating to the proposed action have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Agreement or any Collateral Document relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

SECTION 8.09. Additional Debt Facilities . To the extent, but only to the extent, permitted by the provisions of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents, the Parent Borrower may incur or issue and sell one or more series or classes of Second Priority Debt and one or more series or classes of Additional Senior Debt. Any such additional class or series of Second Priority Debt (the “Second Priority Class  Debt” ) may be secured by a second priority, subordinated Lien on Shared Collateral, in each case under and pursuant to the relevant Second Priority Collateral Documents for such Second Priority Class Debt, if and subject to the condition that the Representative of any such Second Priority Class Debt (each, a “Second Priority Class  Debt Representative” ), acting on behalf of the holders of such Second Priority Class Debt (such Representative and holders in respect of any Second Priority Class Debt being referred to as the “Second Priority Class  Debt Parties” ), becomes a party to this Agreement by satisfying conditions (i) through (vi), as applicable, of the immediately succeeding paragraph. Any such additional class or series of Senior Facilities (the “Senior Class  Debt” ; and the Senior Class Debt and Second Priority Class Debt, collectively, the “Class  Debt” ) may be secured by a senior Lien on Shared Collateral, in each case under and pursuant to the Senior Collateral Documents, if and subject to the condition that the Representative of any such Senior Class Debt (each, a “Senior Class  Debt Representative” ; and the Senior Class Debt Representatives and Second Priority Class Debt Representatives, collectively, the “Class  Debt Representatives” ), acting on behalf of the holders of such Senior Class Debt (such Representative and holders in respect of any such Senior Class Debt being referred to as the “Senior Class  Debt Parties ; and the Senior Class Debt Parties and Second Priority Class Debt Parties, collectively, the “Class  Debt Parties” ), becomes a party to this Agreement by satisfying the conditions set forth in clauses (i) through (vi), as applicable, of the immediately succeeding paragraph. In order for a Class Debt Representative to become a party to this Agreement:

(i) such Class Debt Representative shall have executed and delivered a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Annex III (if such Representative is a Second Priority Class Debt Representative) or Annex IV (if such Representative is a Senior Class Debt Representative) (with such changes as may be reasonably approved by the Senior Collateral Agent and such Class Debt Representative) pursuant to which it becomes a Representative hereunder, and the Class Debt in respect of which such Class Debt Representative is the Representative and the related Class Debt Parties become subject hereto and bound hereby;

(ii) the Parent Borrower shall have delivered to the Senior Collateral Agent and the Designated Second Priority Representative true and complete copies of each of the Second Priority Debt Documents or Senior Debt Documents, as applicable, relating to such Class Debt, certified as being true and correct by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower;

(iii) in the case of any Second Priority Class Debt, all filings, recordations and/or amendments or supplements to the Second Priority Collateral Documents necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Designated Second Priority Representative to confirm and perfect the second priority Liens securing the relevant Second Priority Debt Obligations relating to such Class Debt shall have been made, executed and/or delivered (or, with respect to any such filings or recordations, acceptable provisions to perform such filings or recordings have been taken in the reasonable judgment of the Designated Second Priority Representative), and all fees and taxes in connection therewith shall have been paid (or acceptable provisions to make such payments have been taken in the reasonable judgment of the Collateral Agent);

 

H-26


(iv) in the case of any Senior Class Debt, all filings, recordations and/or amendments or supplements to the Senior Collateral Documents necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Senior Collateral Agent to confirm and perfect the senior Liens securing the relevant Senior Obligations relating to such Class Debt shall have been made, executed and/or delivered (or, with respect to any such filings or recordations, acceptable provisions to perform such filings or recordings have been taken in the reasonable judgment of the Senior Collateral Agent), and all fees and taxes in connection therewith shall have been paid; and

(v) the Second Priority Debt Documents or Senior Debt Documents, as applicable, relating to such Class Debt shall provide, in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Senior Collateral Agent and the Designated Second Priority Representative, that each Class Debt Party with respect to such Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of this Agreement in its capacity as a holder of such Class Debt.

SECTION 8.10. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waivers . The Senior Collateral Agent and each Representative, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties of the Debt Facility for which it is acting, irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the Collateral Documents, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Person (or its Representative) at the address referred to in Section 8.11;

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right of any other party hereto (or any Secured Party) to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law; and

(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 8.10 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

SECTION 8.11. Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent:

(i) if to the Parent Borrower or any Grantor, to the Parent Borrower, at its address at:[    ], Attention of [    ], telecopy [    ];

(ii) if to the Initial Second Priority Representative to it at [    ] Attention of [    ], telecopy [    ];

 

H-27


(iii) if to the original Senior Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent, to it at: [JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 1111 Fannin, 10th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention of [●] (Fax No.: [●]) (email: [●]), with a copy];

(iv) if to any other Second Priority Representative or Senior Representative, to it at the address specified by it in the Joinder Agreement delivered by it pursuant to Section 8.09.

Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and, may be personally served, telecopied, electronically mailed or sent by courier service or U.S. mail and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of a telecopy or electronic mail or upon receipt via U.S. mail (registered or certified, with postage prepaid and properly addressed). For the purposes hereof, the addresses of the parties hereto shall be as set forth above or, as to each party, at such other address as may be designated by such party in a written notice to all of the other parties. As agreed to in writing among the Senior Collateral Agent and each Representative from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable person provided from time to time by such person.

SECTION 8.12. Further Assurances . Each of the Senior Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and each Senior Secured Party, and each Second Party Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will take such further action and shall execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments (in recordable form, if requested) as the other parties hereto may reasonably request to effectuate the terms of, and the Lien priorities contemplated by, this Agreement.

SECTION 8.13. GOVERNING LAW; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

(A) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF LAW.

(B) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

SECTION 8.14. Binding on Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives, the Second Priority Debt Parties, the Parent Borrower, the other Grantors party hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 8.15. Section Titles . The section titles contained in this Agreement are and shall be without substantive meaning or content of any kind whatsoever and are not a part of this Agreement.

SECTION 8.16. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by means of facsimile, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall together constitute one and the same document. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

 

H-28


SECTION 8.17. Authorization . By its signature, each Person executing this Agreement on behalf of a party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that it is duly authorized to execute this Agreement. The Senior Collateral Agent represents and warrants that this Agreement is binding upon the Credit Agreement Secured Parties. The Initial Second Priority Representative represents and warrants that this Agreement is binding upon the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties.

SECTION 8.18. No Third Party Beneficiaries; Successors and Assigns . The lien priorities set forth in this Agreement and the rights and benefits hereunder in respect of such lien priorities shall inure solely to the benefit of the Senior Collateral Agent, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties, and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and no other Person (including the Grantors, or any trustee, receiver, debtor in possession or bankruptcy estate in a bankruptcy or like proceeding) shall have or be entitled to assert such rights.

SECTION 8.19. Effectiveness . This Agreement shall become effective when executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

SECTION 8.20. Senior Collateral Agent and Trustee . It is understood and agreed that (a) the Senior Collateral Agent is entering into this Agreement in (i) its capacities as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement and the provisions of Article VIII of the Credit Agreement applicable to it as administrative agent thereunder shall also apply to it as Senior Collateral Agent hereunder and (ii) its capacity as Collateral Agent under the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement (if applicable), and the provisions of Article IV of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as collateral agent thereunder shall also apply to it as Senior Collateral Agent hereunder and (b) [ ] is entering in this Agreement in its capacity as [Trustee] under [indenture] and the provisions of Article [ ] of such indenture applicable to the Trustee thereunder shall also apply to the Trustee hereunder.

SECTION 8.21. Relative Rights . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (except to the extent contemplated by Section 5.01(a), 5.01(d) or 5.03(b)), nothing in this Agreement is intended to or will (a) amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of the Credit Agreement, any other Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Documents, or permit the Parent Borrower or any Grantor to take any action, or fail to take any action, to the extent such action or failure would otherwise constitute a breach of, or default under, the Credit Agreement or any other Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Documents, (b) change the relative priorities of the Senior Obligations or the Liens granted under the Senior Collateral Documents on the Shared Collateral (or any other assets) as among the Senior Secured Parties, (c) otherwise change the relative rights of the Senior Secured Parties in respect of the Shared Collateral as among such Senior Secured Parties or (d) obligate the Parent Borrower or any Grantor to take any action, or fail to take any action, that would otherwise constitute a breach of, or default under, the Credit Agreement or any other Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Document.

SECTION 8.22. Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent,

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory
Holdings), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE GRANTORS LISTED ON ANNEX I
HERETO,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[S ECOND -L IEN I NTERCREDITOR A GREEMENT S IGNATURE P AGE ]

 


[        ],
as Initial Additional Authorized Representative
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

H-2


ANNEX I

Grantors

[        ]

 

 


ANNEX II

SUPPLEMENT NO. dated as of , to the SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [        ], 20[    ] (the “ Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation, certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Parent Borrower (each, a “Grantor” ), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Senior Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties under the Senior Collateral Documents (in such capacity, the “ Senior Collateral Agent ”) and as Senior Representative under the Credit Agreement, [        ], as Initial Second Priority Representative, and the additional Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

A. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

B. The Grantors have entered into the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, certain Additional Senior Debt Documents and certain Second Priority Debt Documents, certain newly acquired or organized Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower are required to enter into the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 8.07 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Subsidiaries may become party to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “ New Grantor ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement, the Second Priority Debt Documents and Additional Senior Debt Documents.

Accordingly, the Senior Collateral Agent and the New Subsidiary Grantor agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 8.07 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the New Grantor by its signature below becomes a Grantor under the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor, and the New Grantor hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Grantor thereunder. Each reference to a “Grantor” in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Grantor. The Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The New Grantor represents and warrants to the Senior Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Senior Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Grantor. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.


SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 8.11 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Grantor shall be given to it in care of the Parent Borrower as specified in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

SECTION 8. The Parent Borrower agrees to reimburse the Senior Collateral Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Senior Collateral Agent.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Grantor, and the Senior Collateral Agent have duly executed this Supplement to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW SUBSIDIARY GRANTOR],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

Acknowledged by:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Senior Collateral Agent,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[                    ], as Designated Second Priority Representative,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


ANNEX III

[FORM OF] REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT NO. [    ] dated as of [        ], 20[    ] to the SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [        ], 20[    ] (the “ Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation, certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Parent Borrower (each, a “ Grantor ”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Senior Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties under the Senior Collateral Documents (in such capacity, the “ Senior Collateral Agent ”) and as Senior Representative under the Credit Agreement, [        ], as Initial Second Priority Representative, and the additional Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

A. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

B. As a condition to the ability of the Borrowers to incur Second Priority Debt and to secure such Second Priority Class Debt with the Second Priority Lien and to have such Second Priority Class Debt guaranteed by the Grantors on a subordinated basis, in each case under and pursuant to the Second Priority Collateral Documents, the Second Priority Class Representative in respect of such Second Priority Class Debt is required to become a Representative under, and such Second Priority Class Debt and the Second Priority Class Debt Parties in respect thereof are required to become subject to and bound by, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 8.09 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Second Priority Class Debt Representative may become a Representative under, and such Second Priority Class Debt and such Second Priority Class Debt Parties may become subject to and bound by, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, pursuant to the execution and delivery by the Second Priority Class Debt Representative of an instrument in the form of this Representative Supplement and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Section 8.09 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The undersigned Second Priority Class Debt Representative (the “ New Representative ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents.

Accordingly, the Senior Collateral Agent and the New Representative agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 8.09 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the New Representative by its signature below becomes a Representative under, and the related Second Priority Class Debt and Second Priority Class Debt Parties become subject to and bound by, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Representative had originally been named therein as a Representative, and the New Representative, on behalf of itself and such Second Priority Class Debt Parties, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Second Priority Representative and to the Second Priority Class Debt Parties that it represents as Second Priority Debt Parties. Each reference to a “ Representative ” or “ Second Priority Representative ” in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Representative. The Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.


SECTION 2. The New Representative represents and warrants to the Senior Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this Representative Supplement, in its capacity as [agent] [trustee], (ii) this Representative Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of such Agreement and (iii) the Second Priority Debt Documents relating to such Second Priority Class Debt provide that, upon the New Representative’s entry into this Agreement, the Second Priority Class Debt Parties in respect of such Second Priority Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement as Second Priority Debt Parties.

SECTION 3. This Representative Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Representative Supplement shall become effective when the Senior Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Representative Supplement that bears the signature of the New Representative. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Representative Supplement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Representative Supplement.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Representative Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 8.11 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Representative shall be given to it at the address set forth below its signature hereto.

SECTION 8. The Parent Borrower agrees to reimburse the Senior Collateral Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Representative Supplement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Senior Collateral Agent.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Representative and the Senior Collateral Agent have duly executed this Representative Supplement to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW REPRESENTATIVE], as
[                     ] for the holders of
[                                ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Address for notices:
 

 

 

 

  attention of:                                                        
  Telecopy:                                                           

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Senior Collateral Agent,

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Acknowledged by:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE GRANTORS
LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Schedule I to the

Representative Supplement to the

Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Grantors

[            ]


ANNEX IV

[FORM OF] REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT NO. [    ] dated as of [        ], 20[    ] to the SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [        ], 20[    ] (the “ Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation, certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Parent Borrower (each, a “ Grantor ”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Senior Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties under the Senior Collateral Documents (in such capacity, the “ Senior Collateral Agent ”) and as Senior Representative under the Credit Agreement, [            ], as Initial Second Priority Representative, and the additional Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

A. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

B. As a condition to the ability of the Borrowers to incur Senior Class Debt after the date of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and to secure such Senior Class Debt with the Senior Lien and to have such Senior Class Debt guaranteed by the Grantors on a senior basis, in each case under and pursuant to the Senior Collateral Documents, the Senior Class Debt Representative in respect of such Senior Class Debt is required to become a Representative under, and such Senior Class Debt and the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect thereof are required to become subject to and bound by, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 8.09 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Senior Class Debt Representative may become a Representative under, and such Senior Class Debt and such Senior Class Debt Parties may become subject to and bound by, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, pursuant to the execution and delivery by the Senior Class Debt Representative of an instrument in the form of this Representative Supplement and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Section 8.09 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The undersigned Senior Class Debt Representative (the “ New Representative ”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents.

Accordingly, the Senior Collateral Agent and the New Representative agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 8.09 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the New Representative by its signature below becomes a Representative under, and the related Senior Class Debt and Senior Class Debt Parties become subject to and bound by, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Representative had originally been named therein as a Representative, and the New Representative, on behalf of itself and such Senior Class Debt Parties, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Senior Representative and to the Senior Class Debt Parties that it represents as Senior Debt Parties. Each reference to a “ Representative ” or “ Senior Representative ” in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Representative. The Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.


SECTION 2. The New Representative represents and warrants to the Senior Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this Representative Supplement, in its capacity as [agent] [trustee], (ii) this Representative Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of such Agreement and (iii) the Senior Debt Documents relating to such Senior Class Debt provide that, upon the New Representative’s entry into this Agreement, the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect of such Senior Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement as Senior Secured Parties.

SECTION 3. This Representative Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Representative Supplement shall become effective when the Senior Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Representative Supplement that bears the signature of the New Representative. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Representative Supplement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Representative Supplement.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Representative Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 8.11 of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Representative shall be given to it at the address set forth below its signature hereto.

SECTION 8. The Parent Borrower agrees to reimburse the Senior Collateral Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Representative Supplement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Senior Collateral Agent.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Representative and the Senior Collateral Agent have duly executed this Representative Supplement to the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW REPRESENTATIVE], as
[                    ] for the holders of
[                                ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Address for notices:
 

 

 

 

  attention of:                                                           
  Telecopy:                                                              

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Senior Collateral Agent,

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Acknowledged by:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
Executed as a Deed by
SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:
SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE GRANTORS
LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Schedule I to the

Representative Supplement to the

Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Grantors

[            ]


EXHIBIT I

FORM OF CLOSING CERTIFICATE

[NAME OF CERTIFYING LOAN PARTY]

[            ] [     ], 2011

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., the lending institutions from time to time parties thereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

1. The undersigned, [            ], a Responsible Officer of [            ] (the “Certifying Loan Party”), hereby certifies that [            ] is a duly elected and qualified Responsible Officer of the Certifying Loan Party and the signature set forth on the signature line for such officer below is such officer’s true and genuine signature, and such officer is duly authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Certifying Loan Party each Loan Document to which it is a party and any certificate or other document to be delivered by the Certifying Loan Party pursuant to such Loan Documents.

2. The undersigned, [        ], a Responsible Officer of the Certifying Loan Party, hereby certifies as follows:

(a) There are no liquidation or dissolution proceedings pending or to my knowledge threatened against the Certifying Loan Party, nor to my knowledge has any other event occurred affecting or threatening the [corporate] existence of the Certifying Loan Party;

(b) The Certifying Loan Party is a [corporation] [limited liability company] [other relevant entity] duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the [jurisdiction];

(c) Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a complete and correct copy of the resolutions duly adopted by the [board of directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof)] [members] [other relevant body in foreign jurisdictions] of the Certifying Loan Party on [    ], 2011, authorizing [(a)] the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents (and any agreements relating thereto) to which it is a party [and (b) the extensions of credit contemplated by the Credit Agreement] 1 ; such resolutions have not in any way been amended, modified, revoked or rescinded and have been in full force and effect since their adoption to and including the date hereof and are now in full force and effect; and such resolutions are the only [corporate] [company] proceedings of the Certifying Loan Party now in force relating to or affecting the matters referred to therein;

(d) Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a true and complete copy of the certificate of [incorporation] [formation] [other relevant organizational document] of the Certifying Loan Party as in effect on the date hereof, certified by the [Secretary of State of the State of [            ] [other relevant body in foreign jurisdictions] as of a recent date;

 

1   Borrowers only.

 

 

I-1


(e) Attached hereto as Exhibit C is a true and complete copy of the [by-laws] [limited liability company agreement] [other relevant governing document] of the Certifying Loan Party as in effect on the date hereof;

(f) Attached hereto as Exhibit D is a true and complete copy of a [good standing

certificate] [other relevant document], certified by [the Secretary of State of [    ]] [other relevant body in foreign jurisdictions] as of a recent date;

(g) The following persons are now duly elected and qualified Responsible Officers of the Certifying Loan Party holding the offices indicated next to their respective names below, and such officers hold such offices with the Certifying Loan Party on the date hereof, and the signatures appearing opposite their respective names below are the true and genuine signatures of such officers, and each of such officers is duly authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Certifying Loan Party each Loan Document to which it is a party and any certificate or other document to be delivered by the Certifying Loan Party pursuant to such Loan Documents:

 

Name

  

Office

  

Signature

     

 

     

 

     

 

 

 

I-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have signed this certificate as of the date first written above.

 

 

Name:

Title:

  

 

Name:

Title:

  

[C LOSING C ERTIFICATE S IGNATURE P AGE ]


Exhibit A

to the Closing Certificate

Resolutions


Exhibit B

to the Closing Certificate

Certificate of [formation] [incorporation]


Exhibit C

to the Closing Certificate

[by-laws] [limited liability company agreement]


EXHIBIT J

FORM OF INTERCOMPANY NOTE

[_________________], 2011

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, each of the undersigned, to the extent a borrower from time to time from any other Person listed on the signature page hereto (each, in such capacity, a “ Payor ”), hereby promises to pay on demand to the order of such other Person listed below (each, in such capacity, a “ Payee ”), in lawful money of the United States of America, or in such other currency as agreed to by such Payor and such Payee, in immediately available funds, at such location as such Payee shall from time to time designate, the unpaid principal amount of all loans and advances (including trade payables) made by such Payee to such Payor. Each Payor promises also to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of all such loans and advances in like money at said location from the date of such loans and advances until paid at such rate per annum as shall be agreed upon from time to time by such Payor and such Payee.

Capitalized terms used in this intercompany promissory note (this “ Note ”) but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2011 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc. (“ Holdings ”), SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc. (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. (the “ Co-Borrower ” and together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ”, and each a “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., as Administrative Agent.

This Note shall be pledged by each Payee that is a Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Documents as collateral security for such Payee’s Secured Obligations. Each Payee hereby acknowledges and agrees that after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice from the Administrative Agent to such Payee ( provided that no such notice shall be required to be given in the case of any Event of Default arising under Section 7.01(h) or 7.01(i) of the Credit Agreement), (i) the Administrative Agent may exercise any and all rights of any Loan Party with respect to this Note and (ii) upon demand of the Administrative Agent, all amounts evidenced by this Note that are owed by any Payor to any Loan Party shall become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind (it being understood that the Administrative Agent may make any such demand for all or any subset of the amounts owing to such Loan Party and upon any or all Payors obligated to such Loan Party, all without the consent or permission of any Payor or Payee). Each Payor also hereby acknowledges and agrees that this Note constitutes notice of assignment, pursuant to the relevant Security Documents, of the loans and advances and other amounts evidenced by this Note and further acknowledges the receipt of such notice of assignment.

Upon the commencement of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceeding in connection therewith, relating to any Payor owing any amounts evidenced by this Note to any Loan Party, or to any property of any such Payor, or upon the commencement of any proceeding for voluntary liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of any such Payor, all amounts evidenced by this Note owing by such Payor to any and all Loan Parties shall become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind.

 

J-1


Anything in this Note to the contrary notwithstanding, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note owed by any Payor that is a Loan Party to any Payee shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, to all Secured Obligations of such Payor until the payment in full in cash of all Secured Obligations of such Payor; provided that each Payor may make payments to the applicable Payee unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and such Payor shall have received notice from the Administrative Agent ( provided that no such notice shall be required to be given in the case of any Event of Default arising under Section 7.01(h) or 7.01(i) of the Credit Agreement) (such Secured Obligations and other indebtedness and obligations in connection with any renewal, refunding, restructuring or refinancing thereof, including interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any proceedings referred to in clause (i) below, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim in such proceeding, being hereinafter collectively referred to as “ Senior Indebtedness ”).

(i) In the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, and any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings in connection therewith, relating to any Payor or to its property, and in the event of any proceedings for voluntary liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of any Payor, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, then, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (x) the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be paid in full in cash in respect of all amounts constituting Senior Indebtedness (other than contingent obligations (other than obligations in respect of Letters of Credit) as to which no claim has been made) before any Payee shall be entitled to receive (whether directly or indirectly), or make any demand for, any payment from such Payor on account of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note owed by such Payor to such Payee and (y) until the holders of Senior Indebtedness are paid in full in cash in respect of all amounts constituting Senior Indebtedness (other than contingent obligations (other than obligations in respect of Letters of Credit) as to which no claim has been made), any payment or distribution to which such Payee would otherwise be entitled, whether in cash, property or securities (other than a payment of debt securities of such Payor that are subordinated and junior in right of payment to the Senior Indebtedness at least the same extent as the indebtedness evidenced by this Note is subordinated and junior in right of payment to the Senior Indebtedness then outstanding (such securities being hereinafter referred to as “ Restructured Debt Securities ”)) shall instead be made to the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

(ii) If any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and after notice from the Administrative Agent ( provided that no such notice shall be required to be given in the case of any Event of Default arising under Section 7.01(h) or 7.01(i) of the Credit Agreement), then (x) no payment or distribution of any kind or character shall be made by or on behalf of any Payor that is a Loan Party, or any other Person on its behalf, with respect to any amounts evidenced by this Note and (y) no amounts evidenced by this Note owing by any Payor to any Payee that is a Loan Party shall be forgiven or otherwise reduced in any way, other than as a result of payment in full thereof made in cash.

(iii) If any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities or other property (other than Restructured Debt Securities), and whether directly, by purchase, redemption, exercise of any right of setoff or otherwise, with respect to any amounts evidenced by this Note shall (despite these subordination provisions) be received by any Payee in violation of clause (i) or (ii) above prior to all Senior Indebtedness having been paid in full in cash (other than contingent obligations (other than obligations in respect of Letters of Credit) as to which no claim has been made), such payment or distribution shall be held by such Payee in trust (segregated from other property of such Payee) for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, and shall be paid over or delivered to the Administrative Agent promptly upon receipt.

 

J-2


(iv) Each Payor agrees to file all claims against each relevant Payee in any bankruptcy or other proceeding in which the filing of claims is required by law in respect of any Senior Indebtedness, and the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to all of such Payor’s rights thereunder. If for any reason a Payor fails to file such claim at least ten Business Days prior to the last date on which such claim should be filed, such Payor hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to act as attorney-in-fact in such Payor’s name to file such claim or, in the Administrative Agent’s discretion, to assign such claim to and cause proof of claim to be filed in the name of the Administrative Agent or its nominee. In all such cases, whether in administration, bankruptcy or otherwise, the person or persons authorized to pay such claim shall pay to the Administrative Agent the full amount payable on the claim in the proceeding, and, to the full extent necessary for that purpose, each Payor hereby assigns to the Administrative Agent all of such Payor’s rights to any payments or distributions to which such Payor otherwise would be entitled. If the amount so paid is greater than such Payor’s liability hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall pay the excess amount to the party entitled thereto. In addition, each Payor hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its attorney-in-fact to exercise all of such Payor’s voting rights in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding or any plan for the reorganization of each relevant Payee.

(v) Each Payee waives the right to compel that any property of any Payor or any property of any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person be applied in any particular order to discharge such Senior Indebtedness. Each Payee expressly waives the right to require the Administrative Agent or any other holder of Senior Indebtedness to proceed against any Payor, any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person, or to pursue any other remedy in its or their power that such Payee cannot pursue and that would lighten such Payee’s burden, notwithstanding that the failure of the Administrative Agent or any such other holder to do so may thereby prejudice such Payee. Each Payee agrees that it shall not be discharged, exonerated or have its obligations hereunder reduced by the Administrative Agent’s or any other holder’s of Senior Indebtedness delay in proceeding against or enforcing any remedy against any Payor, any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person; by the Administrative Agent or any holder of Senior Indebtedness releasing any Payor, any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person from all or any part of the Senior Indebtedness; or by the discharge of any Payor, any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person by an operation of law or otherwise, with or without the intervention or omission of the Administrative Agent or any such holder.

(vi) Each Payee waives all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies by the Administrative Agent or any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, even though that election of remedies, including any nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to any property securing any Senior Indebtedness, has impaired the value of such Payee’s rights of subrogation, reimbursement, or contribution against any Payor, any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person. Each Payee expressly waives any rights or defenses it may have by reason of protection afforded to any Payor, any guarantor of any Senior Indebtedness or any other Person with respect to the Senior Indebtedness pursuant to any anti-deficiency laws or other laws of similar import that limit or discharge the principal debtor’s indebtedness upon judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure of property or assets securing any Senior Indebtedness.

(vii) Each Payee agrees that, without the necessity of any reservation of rights against it, and without notice to or further assent by it, any demand for payment of any Senior Indebtedness made by the Administrative Agent or any other holder of Senior Indebtedness may be rescinded in whole or in part by the Administrative Agent or such holder, and any Senior Indebtedness may be continued, and the Senior Indebtedness or the liability of any Payee, any guarantor thereof or any other Person obligated thereunder, or any right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by the Administrative Agent or any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, in each case without notice to or further assent by such Payee, which will remain bound hereunder, and without impairing, abridging, releasing or affecting the subordination provided for herein.

 

J-3


(viii) Each Payee waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any Senior Indebtedness, and any and all notice of or proof of reliance by holders of Senior Indebtedness upon the subordination provisions set forth herein. The Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have been created, contracted or incurred, and the consent to create the obligations of any Payee evidenced by this Note shall be deemed conclusively to have been given, in reliance upon the subordination provisions set forth herein.

(ix) To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Payee waives any claim it might have against the Administrative Agent or any other holder of Senior Indebtedness with respect to, or arising out of, any action or failure to act or any error of judgment, negligence, or mistake or oversight whatsoever on the part of the Administrative Agent or any such holder, or any of their Related Parties, with respect to any exercise of rights or remedies under the Loan Documents, except to the extent due to the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or any such holder, as the case may be, or any of its Related Parties, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and nonappealable judgment. None of the Administrative Agent, any other holder of Senior Indebtedness or any of their Related Parties shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any guarantee of any Senior Indebtedness, or for any delay in doing so, or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any property upon the request of any Payor, any Payee or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to any such guarantee or any other property.

Each Payee and each Payor hereby agree that the subordination provisions set forth in this Note is for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Administrative Agent and the other holders of Senior Indebtedness are obligees under this Note to the same extent as if their names were written herein as such and the Administrative Agent may, on behalf of itself and such other holders, proceed to enforce the subordination provisions set forth herein.

All rights and interests of the Administrative Agent and the other holders of Senior Indebtedness hereunder, and the subordination provisions and the related agreements of the Payors and Payees set forth herein, shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document;

(ii) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Senior Indebtedness or any amendment or waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, of, or consent to departure from, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document;

(iii) any release, amendment, waiver or other modification, whether in writing or by course of conduct or otherwise, of or consent to departure from, any guarantee of any Senior Indebtedness; or

(iv) any other circumstances that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Payor in respect of any Senior Indebtedness or of any Payee or any Payor in respect of the subordination provisions set forth herein.

 

J-4


The indebtedness evidenced by this Note owed by any Payor that is not a Loan Party shall not be subordinated to, and shall rank pari passu in right of payment with, any other obligation of such Payor.

Nothing contained in the subordination provisions set forth above is intended to or will impair, as between each Payor and each Payee, the obligations of such Payor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay to such Payee the principal of and interest on this Note as and when due and payable in accordance with its terms, or is intended to or will affect the relative rights of such Payee and other creditors of such Payor other than the Administrative Agent and the other holders of Senior Indebtedness.

Each Payee is hereby authorized to record all loans and advances made by it to any Payor (all of which shall be evidenced by this Note), and all repayments or prepayments thereof, in its books and records, such books and records constituting prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information contained therein.

Each Payor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind whatsoever in connection with this Note. All payments under this Note shall be made without offset, counterclaim or deduction of any kind.

This Note shall be binding upon each Payor and its successors and assigns, and the terms and provisions of this Note shall inure to the benefit of each Payee and its successors and assigns, including subsequent holders hereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in any other Loan Document or in any other promissory note or other instrument, this Note replaces and supersedes any and all promissory notes or other instruments which create or evidence any loans or advances made on, before or after the date hereof by any Payee to Holdings or any Subsidiary.

From time to time after the date hereof, additional Subsidiaries of Holdings may become parties hereto (as Payor and/or Payee, as the case may be) by executing a counterpart signature page to this Note (each additional Subsidiary, an “ Additional Party ”). Upon delivery of such counterpart signature page to the Payees, notice of which is hereby waived by the other Payors, each Additional Party shall be a Payor and/or a Payee, as the case may be, and shall be as fully a party hereto as if such Additional Party were an original signatory hereof. Each Payor expressly agrees that its obligations arising hereunder shall not be affected or diminished by the addition or release of any other Payor or Payee hereunder. This Note shall be fully effective as to any Payor or Payee that is or becomes a party hereto regardless of whether any other Person becomes or fails to become or ceases to be a Payor or Payee hereunder.

No amendment, modification or waiver of, or consent with respect to, any provisions of this Note shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed and delivered by each Payor and Payee whose rights or obligations shall be affected thereby; provided that, until such time as (i) all the Loan Document Obligations (including LC Disbursements, if any, but excluding contingent obligations as to which no claim has been made) have been paid in full in cash, (ii) all Commitments have terminated or expired and (iii) the LC Exposure has been reduced to zero (including as a result of obtaining the consent of the applicable Issuing Bank as described in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement) and the Issuing Banks have no further obligation to issue or amend Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall have provided its prior written consent to such amendment, modification, waiver or consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld to the extent such amendment or modification is required to comply with any Requirement of Law or is not adverse to the interests of the Lenders in any material respects).

 

J-5


THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

[                    ]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[I NTERCOMPANY N OTE S IGNATURE P AGE ]

 


EXHIBIT K

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Notice

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Specified Discount Prepayment Notice is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B) of that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011 (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B) of the Agreement, the [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby offers to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment to each Term Lender [and to each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 10 tranche[s] of Term Loans] on the following terms:

1. This Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment is available only to each Term Lender [and to each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 11 tranche[s] of Term Loans].

2. The maximum aggregate outstanding amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment that will be made in connection with this offer shall not exceed $[•] of Term Loans [and $[•] of the [•, 20•] 12 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Specified Discount Prepayment Amount ”). 13

3. The percentage discount to par value at which such Discounted Term Loan Prepayment will be made is [•]% in respect of the Term Loans [and [•]% in respect of the [•, 20•] 14 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Specified Discount ”).

To accept this offer, you are required to submit to the Administrative Agent a Specified Discount Prepayment Response on or before 5:00 p.m. New York time on the date that is three ( 3 ) Business Days following the date of delivery of this notice pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B) of the Agreement.

 

10 List multiple tranches if applicable.
11 List multiple tranches if applicable.
12 List multiple tranches if applicable.
13 Minimum of $1.0 million and whole increments of $500,000.
14 List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

K-1


The [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent [and the Term Lenders][, the Term Lenders and each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 15 tranche[s] of Term Loans] as follows:

1. The [Parent/Co-] Borrower will not make a Borrowing of Revolving Loans to fund this Discounted Term Loan Prepayment.

2. [At least ten ( 10 ) Business Days have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Term Loan Prepayment as a result of a prepayment made by the [Parent/Co-] Borrower on the applicable Discounted Prepayment Effective Date.][At least three ( 3 ) Business Days have passed since the date the [Parent/Co-] Borrower was notified that no Term Lender was willing to accept any prepayment of any Term Loan and/or Other Term Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of [Parent/Co-] Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, the date of the [Parent/Co-] Borrower’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers made by a Term Lender.] 16

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower acknowledges that the Auction Agent and the relevant Term Lenders are relying on the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations and warranties in connection with their decision whether or not to accept the offer set forth in this Specified Discount Prepayment Notice and the acceptance of any prepayment made in connection with this Specified Discount Prepayment Notice.

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower requests that Auction Agent promptly notify each of the relevant Term Lenders party to the Agreement of this Specified Discount Prepayment Notice.

[REMAINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

15 List multiple tranches if applicable.
16 Insert applicable representation.

 

K-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Specified Discount Prepayment Notice as of the date first above written.

 

[Executed as a Deed by

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:

 

[SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Enclosure: Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Response

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT L

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Response

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to ( a ) that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011 (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, and ( b ) that certain Specified Discount Prepayment Notice, dated [            , 20     ], from the Borrower (the “ Specified Discount Prepayment Notice ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Specified Discount Prepayment Notice or, to the extent not defined therein, in the Agreement.

The undersigned [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] hereby gives you irrevocable notice, pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B) of the Agreement, that it is willing to accept a prepayment of the following [tranches of] Term Loans held by such [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] at the Specified Discount in an aggregate outstanding amount as follows:

[Term Loans - $[•]]

[[•, 20•] 17 tranche[s] of Term Loans - $[•]]

The undersigned [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] hereby expressly consents and agrees to a prepayment of its [Term Loans][[•, 20•] 18 tranche[s]] pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(B) of the Agreement at a price equal to the [applicable] Specified Discount in the aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed the amount set forth above, as such amount may be reduced in accordance with the Specified Discount Proration, and as otherwise determined in accordance with and subject to the requirements of the Agreement.

[REMAINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

17 List multiple tranches if applicable.
18 List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

L-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Specified Discount Prepayment Response as of the date first above written.

 

[                ]

 

By:  

 

  Name
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name
  Title:

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]

 


EXHIBIT M

Form of Discount Range Prepayment Notice

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Discount Range Prepayment Notice is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) of that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) of the Agreement, the [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby requests that each Term Lender [and to each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 19 tranche[s] of Term Loans] submit a Discount Range Prepayment Offer. Any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment made in connection with this solicitation shall be subject to the following terms:

1. This Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers is extended at the sole discretion of the [Parent/Co-] Borrower to each Term Lender [and to each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 20 tranche[s] of Term Loans].

2. The maximum aggregate outstanding amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment that will be made in connection with this solicitation is $[•] of Term Loans [and $[•] of the [•, 20•] 21 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Discount Range Prepayment Amount ”). 22

3. The [Parent/Co-] Borrower is willing to make Discount Term Loan Prepayments at a percentage discount to par value greater than or equal to [•]% but less than or equal to [•]% in respect of the Term Loans [and greater than or equal to [•]% but less than or equal to [•]% in respect of the [•, 20•] 23 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Discount Range ”).

 

19   List multiple tranches if applicable.
20   List multiple tranches if applicable.
21   List multiple tranches if applicable.
22   Minimum of $1.0 million and whole increments of $500,000.
23   List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

M-1


To make an offer in connection with this solicitation, you are required to deliver to the Administrative Agent a Discount Range Prepayment Offer on or before 5:00 p.m. New York time on the date that is three ( 3 ) Business Days following the dated delivery of the notice pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) of the Agreement.

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Auction Agent [and the Term Lenders][, the Term Lenders and each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 24 tranche[s] of Term Loans] as follows:

1. The [Parent/Co-] Borrower will not make a Borrowing of Revolving Loans to fund this Discounted Term Loan Prepayment.

2. [At least ten ( 10 ) Business Days have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Term Loan Prepayment as a result of a prepayment made by the Borrower on the applicable Discounted Prepayment Effective Date.][At least three ( 3 ) Business Days have passed since the date the [Parent/Co-] Borrower was notified that no Term Lender was willing to accept any prepayment of any Term Loan and/or Other Term Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of [Parent/Co-] Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, the date of the [Parent/Co-] Borrower’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers made by a Term Lender.] 25

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower acknowledges that the Auction Agent and the relevant Term Lenders are relying on the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations and warranties in connection with any Discount Range Prepayment Offer made in response to this Discount Range Prepayment Notice and the acceptance of any prepayment made in connection with this Discount Range Prepayment Notice.

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower requests that Auction Agent promptly notify each of the relevant Term Lenders party to the Agreement of this Discount Range Prepayment Notice.

[REMAINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

24 List multiple tranches if applicable.
25 Insert applicable representation.

 

M-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Discount Range Prepayment Notice as of the date first above written.

 

[Executed as a Deed by

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:

 

[SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.]

 

By:  

 

 

  Name:
  Title:]

Enclosure: Form of Discount Range Prepayment Offer

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT N

Form of Discount Range Prepayment Offer

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to ( a ) that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, and ( b ) that certain Discount Range Prepayment Notice, dated [            , 20      ], from the Borrower (the “ Discount Range Prepayment Notice ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Discount Range Prepayment Notice or, to the extent not defined therein, in the Agreement.

The undersigned [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] hereby gives you irrevocable notice, pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) of the Agreement, that it is hereby offering to accept a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment on the following terms:

1. This Discount Range Prepayment Offer is available only for prepayment on the [Term Loans][and the [•, 20•] 26 tranche[s] of Term Loans] held by the undersigned.

2. The maximum aggregate outstanding amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment that may be made in connection with this offer shall not exceed (the “ Submitted Amount ”):

[Term Loans - $[•]]

[[•, 20•] 27 tranche[s] of Term Loans - $[•]]

3. The percentage discount to par value at which such Discounted Term Loan Prepayment may be made is [•]% in respect of the Term Loans [and [•]% in respect of the [•, 20•] 28 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Submitted Discount ”).

 

26 List multiple tranches if applicable.
27 List multiple tranches if applicable.
28 List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

N-1


The undersigned [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] hereby expressly consents and agrees to a prepayment of its [Term Loans] [[•, 20•] 29 tranche[s] of Term Loans] indicated above pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(C) of the Agreement at a price equal to the Applicable Discount and in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed the Submitted Amount, as such amount may be reduced in accordance with the Discount Range Proration, if any, and as otherwise determined in accordance with and subject to the requirements of the Agreement.

[REMAINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

29 List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

N-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Discount Range Prepayment Offer as of the date first above written.

 

[                     ]

 

By:  

 

  Name
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name
  Title:

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT O

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of the Agreement, the [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby requests that each Term Lender [and to each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 30 tranche[s] of Term Loans] submit a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer. Any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment made in connection with this solicitation shall be subject to the following terms:

1. This Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers is extended at the sole discretion of the [Parent/Co-] Borrower to each Term Lender [and to each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 31 tranche[s] of Term Loans].

2. The maximum aggregate outstanding amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment that will be made in connection with this solicitation is (the “ Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount ”): 32

[Term Loans - $[•]]

[[•, 20•] 33 tranche[s] of Term Loans - $[•]]

To make an offer in connection with this solicitation, you are required to deliver to the Administrative Agent a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer on or before 5:00 p.m. New York time on the date that is three ( 3 ) Business Days following delivery of this notice pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of the Agreement.

 

30 List multiple tranches if applicable.
31 List multiple tranches if applicable.
32 Minimum of $1.0 million and whole increments of $500,000.
33 List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

O-1


The [Parent/Co-] Borrower requests that Auction Agent promptly notify each of the relevant Term Lenders party to the Agreement of this Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice.

[REMAINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

O-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice as of the date first above written.

 

[Executed as a Deed by

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:

 

[SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Enclosure: Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT P

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to ( a ) that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, and ( b ) that certain Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice, dated [            , 20      ], from the Borrower (the “ Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice or, to the extent not defined therein, in the Agreement.

To accept the offer set forth herein, you must submit an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice on or before the third Business Day following your receipt of this notice.

The undersigned [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] hereby gives you irrevocable notice, pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of the Agreement, that it is hereby offering to accept a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment on the following terms:

1. This Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer is available only for prepayment on the [Term Loans][[•, 20•] 34 tranche[s] of Term Loans] held by the undersigned.

2. The maximum aggregate outstanding amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment that may be made in connection with this offer shall not exceed (the “ Offered Amount ”):

[Term Loans - $[•]]

[[•, 20•] 35 tranche[s] of Term Loans - $[•]]

3. The percentage discount to par value at which such Discounted Term Loan Prepayment may be made is [•]% in respect of the Term Loans [and [•]% in respect of the [•, 20•] 36 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Offered Discount ”).

 

34 List multiple tranches if applicable.
35 List multiple tranches if applicable.
36 List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

P-1


The undersigned [Term Lender] [Additional Term Lender] hereby expressly consents and agrees to a prepayment of its [Term Loans] [[•, 20 •] 37 tranche[s] of Term Loans] pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of the Agreement at a price equal to the Acceptable Discount and in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed such Lender’s Offered Amount as such amount may be reduced in accordance with the Solicited Discount Proration, if any, and as otherwise determined in accordance with and subject to the requirements of the Agreement.

[REMINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

37   List multiple tranches if applicable.

 

P-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer as of the date first above written.

 

[                    ]

 

By:  

 

  Name
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name
  Title:

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT Q

Form of Acceptance and Prepayment Notice

Date: [______, 20__]

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Auction Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Acceptance and Prepayment Notice is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, (as further amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of the Agreement, the [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby irrevocably notifies you that it accepts offers delivered in response to the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice having an Offered Discount equal to or greater than [•]% in respect of the Term Loans [and [•]% in respect of the [•, 20•] 38 tranche[(s)] of Term Loans] (the “ Acceptable Discount ”) in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount.

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower expressly agrees that this Acceptance and Prepayment Notice shall be irrevocable and is subject to the provisions of Section 2.11(a)(ii)(D) of the Agreement.

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Auction Agent [and the Term Lenders][and the Term Lenders and each Additional Term Lender of the [•, 20•] 39 tranche[s] of Term Loans] as follows:

1. The [Parent/Co-] Borrower will not make a Borrowing of Revolving Loans to fund this Discounted Term Loan Prepayment.

2. [At least ten ( 10 ) Business Days have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Term Loan Prepayment as a result of a prepayment made by the [Parent/Co-] Borrower on the applicable Discounted Prepayment Effective Date.][At least three ( 3 ) Business Days have passed since the date the [Parent/Co-] Borrower was notified that no Term Lender was willing to accept any prepayment of any Term Loan and/or Other Term Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of [Parent/Co-] Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, the date of the [Parent/Co-] Borrower’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers made by a Term Lender.] 40

 

38   List multiple tranches if applicable.
39   List multiple tranches if applicable.
40   Insert applicable representation.

 

Q-1


The [Parent/Co-] Borrower acknowledges that the Auction Agent and the relevant Term Lenders are relying on the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations and warranties in connection with the acceptance of any prepayment made in connection with a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer.

The [Parent/Co-] Borrower requests that Auction Agent promptly notify each of the relevant Term Lenders party to the Agreement of this Acceptance and Prepayment Notice.

[REMAINDER OF THE PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

Q-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Acceptance and Prepayment Notice as of the date first above written.

 

[Executed as a Deed by

SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Witness
  Name:
  Title:

 

[SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT R-1

FORM OF

UNITED STATES TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the banks and other lending institutions from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”), (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Code Section 881(c)(3)(B), (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with a United States trade or business conducted by the undersigned.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing and (2) the undersigned shall furnish the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which payment is to be made by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payment.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

R-1


[Lender]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

[Address]

Dated:                      , 20[    ]

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT R-2

FORM OF

UNITED STATES TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the banks and other lending institutions from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) neither the undersigned nor any of its partners/members is a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”), (iv) none of its partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Code Section 881(c)(3)(B), (v) none of its partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with the a United States trade or business conducted by the undersigned or its partners/members.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower with Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not limit the obligation of the Lender to provide, in the case of a partner/member not claiming the portfolio interest exemption, a Form W-8ECI, Form W-9 or Form W-8IMY (including appropriate underlying certificates from each interest holder of such partner/member), in each case establishing such partner/member’s available exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

R-2


[Lender]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[Address]

Dated:                               , 20[    ]

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT R-3

FORM OF

UNITED STATES TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the banks and other lending institutions from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) and Section 9.04(c) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”), (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Code Section 881(c)(3)(B), (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with a United States trade or business conducted by the undersigned.

The undersigned has furnished its participating non-U.S. Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such non-U.S. Lender in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such non-U.S. Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

R-3


[Participant]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[Address]

Dated:                              , 20[    ]

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]


EXHIBIT R-4

FORM OF

UNITED STATES TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of August 26, 2011, among SMART Modular Technologies (Global Memory Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, SMART Modular Technologies (Global), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Parent Borrower ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Co - Borrower ” and, together with the Parent Borrower, the “ Borrowers ” and each a “ Borrower ”), the banks and other lending institutions from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) and Section 9.04(c) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) neither the undersigned nor any of its partners/members is a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”), (iv) none of its partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Code Section 881(c)(3)(B), (v) none of its partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with a United States trade or business conducted by the undersigned’s or its partners/members.

The undersigned has furnished its participating non-U.S. Lender with Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not limit the obligation of the undersigned to provide, in the case of a partner/member not claiming the portfolio interest exemption, a Form W-8ECI, Form W-9 or Form W-8IMY (including appropriate underlying certificates from each interest holder of such partner/member), in each case establishing such partner/member’s available exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such non-U.S. Lender in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such non-U.S. Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

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R-4


[Participant]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[Address]

Dated:                                                       , 20[    ]

[S IGNATURE P AGE ]

STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of July 2, 2013, is entered into by and between SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS (GLOBAL HOLDINGS), INC., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Seller ”), SANDISK CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“ Buyer ”), SANDISK MANUFACTURING, a Republic of Ireland company (“ BuyerSub ”), and solely for purposes of Section 5.7(c) , Section 5.8 , ARTICLE VIII and ARTICLE IX , Saleen Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Saleen Holdings ”), Saleen Intermediate Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saleen Holdings (“ Saleen Intermediate ”), and SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saleen Intermediate (“ SMART Worldwide ” and together with Seller, Buyer, BuyerSub, Saleen Holdings and Saleen Intermediate, the “ parties ”).

WHEREAS, Seller directly owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity securities designated on Section 3.2 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule (the “ Sold Shares ”) of (i) SMART Storage Systems, Inc., an Arizona corporation (“ Storage AZ ”), (ii) SMART Storage Systems Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysia corporation (“ Storage Malaysia ”), and (iii) SMART Storage Systems (SG), PTE, LTD., a Singapore private limited company (“ Storage Singapore ”) (together with SMART Storage Systems GmbH, an Austrian limited liability company (“ Storage Austria ”), collectively the “ Sold Companies ”);

WHEREAS, prior to the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, Seller, the Sold Companies and certain of Seller’s other Subsidiaries shall have consummated the transactions set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto (the “ Restructuring ”);

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and as a condition and material inducement to Buyer’s and BuyerSub’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, each of the Key Employees (as defined herein) has executed and delivered to Buyer an employment offer letter (each, a “ Key Employee Offer Letter ”), which Key Employee Offer Letters shall only become effective at the Closing (as defined herein); and

WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell, and Buyer and BuyerSub (as applicable) desire to purchase, the Sold Shares, on the terms and subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Certain Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:


A&R IP Cross-License Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Intellectual Property Cross-License Agreement to be dated as of the Closing Date between the Storage Parties (as defined therein), the Memory Parties (as defined therein) and the Defense Parties (as defined therein), in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.

Acquisition Proposal ” means, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Restructuring), (i) the sale, license, disposition or acquisition of all or a material portion of the business or assets of any of the Sold Companies (except, in each case, for (1) sales and non-exclusive licenses of products and services of the Sold Companies, including the sale or other disposition of supply, inventory or trading stock, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, (2) transfers among the Sold Companies, (3) the transactions contemplated by the A&R IP Cross-License Agreement and (4) the transactions contemplated by the Transition Services Agreement), (ii) the issuance, disposition or acquisition of (a) any capital stock or other equity security of any of the Sold Company, (b) any subscription, option, call, warrant, preemptive right, right of first refusal or any other right (whether or not exercisable) to acquire any capital stock or other equity security of any Sold Company, or (c) any security, instrument or obligation that is or may become convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock or other equity security of any Sold Company or (iii) any merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization or similar transaction involving any Sold Company.

Action ” means any litigation, claim, action, arbitration, suit, hearing or proceeding (whether a civil, criminal, appellate or administrative proceeding).

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such Person; provided , that none of the Sold Companies shall be considered Affiliates of any portfolio company in which Silver Lake Partners III, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund, L.P. or any of their respective investment fund Affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa).

Aggregate Replacement Option Value ” means the sum of the Replacement Option Values of all Assumed Business Employee Options.

Agreement ” means this Stock Purchase Agreement by and between the parties hereto (including the Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto).

Applicable Buyer Stock Price ” means the average of the closing sale prices for a Buyer Share on the NASDAQ Global Select Market for the twenty (20) consecutive trading days ending with, and including, the trading day that is two (2) trading days prior to the Closing Date. By way of illustration with respect to the foregoing sentence, if the Closing Date occurs on a Thursday, the last closing sales price used for the averaging period would be the closing sales price of a Buyer Share on the immediately preceding Tuesday.

Assumed Business Employee Option ” means each Seller Option that is outstanding and unvested as of immediately prior to the Closing (excluding, for the avoidance of

 

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doubt, any Seller Options that vest as of a result of the Closing) and held by a Continuing Employee.

Assumed Business Employee Option Rollover Value ” means the product of (i) the Fully Diluted Per Share Portion, multiplied by (ii) (A) $307,000,000, plus (B) Estimated Cash on Hand, minus (C) Estimated Closing Indebtedness, minus (D) Estimated Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses, plus (E) the amount (if any) by which Estimated Net Working Capital is in excess of the Target Net Working Capital, minus (F) the amount (if any) by which the Target Net Working Capital is in excess of Estimated Net Working Capital, plus (G) the aggregate exercise prices of all Seller Options outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing (whether or not Vested Seller Options), minus (H) all Obligations (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) paid by Seller to SMART Worldwide pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement Release, minus (I) the amount of Seller Group Transaction Expenses paid prior to the Closing Date or payable on the Closing Date.

Balance Sheet Date ” means May 31, 2013.

Benefit Plan ” means each pension, profit-sharing, deferred compensation, savings, retirement, supplemental retirement, excess benefit, employment, consulting, severance, termination, compensation, incentive, deferred compensation, bonus, stock purchase, stock option or other equity or equity-linked compensation, change-in-control, transaction, retention, salary continuation, vacation, paid-time-off, sick leave, disability, death benefit, group insurance, hospitalization, medical, dental, life, accident, Code Section 125 “cafeteria” or “flexible” benefit, employee loan, tuition or educational assistance, dependent care assistance, employee assistance, adoption assistance, fringe benefit or any other compensation or benefit plan, program, arrangement or agreement, including each (i) “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (whether or not subject to ERISA) and (ii) trust, escrow, or funding mechanism related to any of the foregoing.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in San Jose, California or New York, New York.

Business Employee ” means, at any time of determination thereof, each employee of the Sold Companies at such time; provided , that, “ Business Employee ” does not include any of the employees of the Legacy Defense Business, each of whom is identified on Annex I of Exhibit A attached hereto (other than externally-hired replacements or employees transferred from the Remaining Entities as replacements for any such employees of the Legacy Defense Business who cease to be employed by the Legacy Defense Business for any reason (for clarity, any such replacements shall not constitute Business Employees)).

Buyer Disclosure Schedule ” means the disclosure schedule delivered by Buyer to Seller on the date hereof.

Buyer Fundamental Reps ” means the representations and warranties of Buyer set forth in Section 4.2 (Authority) and Section 4.6 (Brokers and Other Advisors).

 

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Buyer General Release ” means the General Release to be dated as of the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit C-1 attached hereto.

Buyer Share ” means a share of common stock, $0.001 par value, of Buyer.

Cash on Hand ” means, with respect to the Sold Companies, all cash and cash equivalents, as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date after giving effect to the Restructuring, determined in accordance with GAAP, less the amount of any Excess Restricted Cash Cost. For the avoidance of doubt, Cash on Hand shall (i) be calculated net of uncleared checks and drafts issued by the Sold Companies and (ii) include uncleared checks and drafts received or deposited for the account of the Sold Companies. For the avoidance of doubt, Cash on Hand may be a negative number.

Closing Agreements ” means (i) the SL Agreement, (ii) the A&R IP Cross-License Agreement, (iii) the Escrow Agreement, (iv) the Transition Services Agreement, (v) the Buyer General Release, (vi) the Seller General Release and (vii) any other agreement related to the transactions contemplated hereby and mutually agreed by Seller and Buyer to be entered into at Closing.

Closing Indebtedness ” means the Indebtedness of the Sold Companies (excluding (i) any such Indebtedness that is owed to another Sold Company and (ii) any Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Agreement (which shall be repaid in full in accordance with the Revolving Credit Agreement Release pursuant to Section 5.9(a) )) immediately prior to the Closing.

Closing Net Working Capital ” means (i) the Current Assets, minus (ii) the Current Liabilities, in each case, as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date after giving effect to the Restructuring and as determined in accordance with Exhibit D attached hereto.

Code ” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Company Benefit Plan ” means each Benefit Plan that is maintained, participated in, sponsored or contributed to by any of the Sold Companies or any of their respective Affiliates and which covers, is entered into by or with and/or provides compensation or benefits to any current or former Business Employees, or with respect to which any of the Sold Companies or any of their respective Affiliates contributes or is obligated to contribute, or with respect to which any of the Sold Companies or any of their respective Affiliates or with respect to which any of the Sold Companies or any of their respective Affiliates may have any liability, whether fixed or contingent, other than any Seller Benefit Plan.

Company Products ” means each product or service designed, developed, manufactured, sold, licensed, leased, distributed, provided or otherwise made available to customers, clients, distributors, resellers, joint venture partners, development partners and similar entities by any of the Sold Companies.

 

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Company-Owned Intellectual Property ” means all Registered IP and all unregistered Intellectual Property that is in each case owned by the Sold Companies.

Competition Laws ” means the HSR Act (and any similar Law enforced by any Governmental Antitrust Authority regarding pre-acquisition notifications for the purpose of competition reviews), the Sherman Act, as amended, the Clayton Act, as amended, the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, and all other Laws that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions or transactions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or lessening of competition through merger or acquisition.

Consents ” means consents, approvals, clearances, exemptions or the expiration or termination of any prescribed waiting period.

Contract ” means any oral or written contract, lease, license, loan or credit agreement, debenture, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, commitment or other agreement.

control ” (including the terms “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs, policies or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by Contract or otherwise, including the ownership, directly or indirectly, of securities having the power to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar body governing the affairs of such Person.

Current Assets ” has the meaning specified in Exhibit D attached hereto.

Current Liabilities ” has the meaning specified in Exhibit D attached hereto.

Distributable Closing Date Consideration ” means (i) the Estimated Purchase Price, plus (ii) the aggregate exercise prices of all Seller Options that are not Assumed Business Employee Options, minus (iii) the Escrow Amount, minus (iv) the Holdback Amount, minus (v) all Obligations (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) paid by Seller to SMART Worldwide pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement Release, minus (vi) the amount of Seller Group Transaction Expenses paid prior to the Closing Date or payable on the Closing Date.

Enterprise Storage Device ” means a device that has NAND flash memory (including both two dimensional and three dimensional variants thereof) as greater than 75% of the memory content and is used as either a storage or caching device in enterprise applications and (a) has either (i) an industry standard Serial ATA or Serial Attached SCSI interface or (ii) a PCIe interface, and (b) is sold to storage or server customers either directly or through intermediaries such as value added resellers, and (c) has a storage capacity greater than or equal to 150 gigabytes (with such amount of capacity increasing to 165 gigabytes on the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing Date and increasing to 180 gigabytes on the two (2) year anniversary of the Closing). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, “ Enterprise Storage Device ” does not include (i) non-volatile dual in-line memory modules (such term defined as dynamic random-access memory modules with non-volatile Flash backup capability) or other products utilizing dual in-line memory module form factors, in each case that do not utilize NAND flash

 

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memory endurance enhancement technology developed by or on behalf of the Remaining Entities, (ii) mini-Serial ATA, iSATA or other small form factor products, and their natural successors, in each case that do not utilize NAND flash memory endurance enhancement technology developed by or on behalf of the Remaining Entities, (iii) products used in networking products, automotive products, telecommunications products, medical products, industrial products, military products, aerospace products, avionic products or consumer devices (like smartphones, tablets, notebook, personal computer and other consumer-purchased end-products), or (iv) any of the current products of (A) the Remaining Entities as evidenced by data sheets and/or part numbers set forth on Section 1.1(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule and (B) the Legacy Defense Business as evidenced by the current part numbers listed on Annex II of Exhibit A attached hereto.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

ERISA Affiliate ” of any entity means any other entity (whether or not incorporated) that, together with such entity, is required to be treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

Escrow Account ” means the escrow account established pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.

Escrow Agent ” means Bank of America, National Association.

Escrow Agreement ” means the Escrow Agreement to be dated as of the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto.

Escrow Amount ” means an amount equal to the product of (i) the Estimated Purchase Price multiplied by (ii) ten percent (10%).

Escrow Release Consideration ” means funds distributed from the Escrow Account to Seller in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement.

Estimated Cash on Hand ” means Seller’s good faith estimate of the amount of Cash on Hand, based on the books and records of Seller and the Sold Companies.

Estimated Closing Indebtedness ” means Seller’s good faith estimate of the amount of Closing Indebtedness, based on the books and records of Seller and the Sold Companies.

Estimated Net Working Capital ” means Seller’s good faith estimate of the amount of Closing Net Working Capital, based on the books and records of Seller and the Sold Companies.

Estimated Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses ” means Seller’s good faith estimate of the amount of Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses, based on the books and records of Seller and the Sold Companies.

 

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Estimated Purchase Price ” means (i) $307,000,000, plus (ii) Estimated Cash on Hand, minus (iii) Estimated Closing Indebtedness, minus (iv) Estimated Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses, plus (v) the amount (if any) by which Estimated Net Working Capital exceeds Target Net Working Capital by more than $100,000, minus (vi) the amount (if any) by which the Target Net Working Capital exceeds Estimated Net Working Capital by more than $100,000, minus (vii) the Aggregate Replacement Option Value.

Estimated Purchase Price Elements ” means, collectively, the following: (i) Estimated Cash on Hand; (ii) Estimated Closing Indebtedness; (iii) Estimated Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses; and (iv) Estimated Net Working Capital.

Excess Restricted Cash Cost ” means, with respect to the Sold Companies, the amount of Tax (assuming the maximum applicable federal, state and local Tax rates) that would be incurred if, immediately after Closing, all Restricted Cash in excess of $1,000,000 were dividended or distributed to Buyer or any United States Subsidiary of Buyer.

Final Purchase Price ” means (i) $307,000,000, plus (ii) Cash on Hand, minus (iii) Closing Indebtedness, minus (iv) Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses, plus (v) the amount (if any) by which Closing Net Working Capital exceeds the Target Net Working Capital by more than $100,000, minus (vi) the amount (if any) by which the Target Net Working Capital exceeds Closing Net Working Capital by more than $100,000, minus (vii) the Aggregate Replacement Option Value.

Final Purchase Price Elements ” means, collectively, the following: (i) Cash on Hand; (ii) Closing Indebtedness; (iii) Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses; and (iv) Closing Net Working Capital.

Fully Diluted Per Share Portion ” means a fraction (i) the numerator of which is one, and (ii) the denominator of which is equal to the sum, without duplication, of (A) the number of Seller Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing (other than any such shares held by Seller) plus (B) the number of Seller Shares issuable upon the exercise of all Seller Options outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing (whether or not Vested Seller Options).

Fully Diluted Per Share Portion of the Legacy Defense Value ” means the product of (i) the Fully Diluted Per Share Portion, multiplied by (ii) the Legacy Defense Value.

GAAP ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.

Governmental Antitrust Authority ” means any Governmental Entity with regulatory jurisdiction over any Consent required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under the HSR Act or other Competition Law.

Governmental Entity ” means any entity or body exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to United States federal, state or local government or other non-United States, international, multinational or other government, including any department, commission, board, agency, instrumentality, political subdivision,

 

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bureau, official or other regulatory, administrative or judicial authority thereof and any self-regulatory organization.

Holdback Amount ” means $5,000,000, which shall be used by Seller solely for the purpose of satisfying any Seller Group Transaction Expenses paid or payable from and after the Closing Date and not otherwise accounted for in the Distributable Closing Date Consideration.

Holdback Release Amount ” means any portion of the Holdback Amount that is determined from time to time in the sole and absolute discretion of Seller to no longer be required to satisfy any potential future Seller Group Transaction Expenses from and after such determination date (each such determination date being a “ Holdback Release Determination Date ”); provided , that the entire balance of the Holdback Amount (if any) remaining two (2) months prior to the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date (the “ Holdback Release Deadline ”) shall be deemed a Holdback Release Amount for purposes of this Agreement.

HSR Act ” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (i) the principal of and accrued interest, premiums (if any) and penalties (if any) in respect of (A) obligations of such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments or other debt securities for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable, (ii) all obligations of such Person as lessee that are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of purchase money loans by such Person, (iv) all obligations in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar facilities issued for the account of such Person (but solely to the extent drawn and not paid) and (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of other Persons for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable, as obligor, guarantor, surety or otherwise, including any guarantee of such obligations.

Intellectual Property ” means all worldwide intellectual property and intellectual property rights, including: (i) trade secrets, inventions (whether or not patentable), discoveries, technologies, know-how, processes, methods, techniques, algorithms, schematics, specifications, drawings, technical data, designs, and documentation related to the foregoing; (ii) patents and applications therefor, including all disclosures, provisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, and counterparts (whether foreign or domestic) thereof and patents issuing thereon, along with any reexaminations, reissues and extensions thereof; (iii) trademarks, trade names, trade dress, brand names, corporate names, domain names, trademark registrations, trademark applications, service marks, service mark registrations and service mark applications and other source indicators (whether registered, unregistered or existing at common law, including all goodwill attaching thereto); (iv) moral rights and similar personal or other rights; and (v) copyrights, copyrighted works, mask works, net lists and code modules for hardware description in any and all forms, computer software, including copyright registrations, and unregistered copyrights.

Inventory ” means all inventory, finished goods, raw materials and work in progress maintained, held or stored by or for the Sold Companies.

 

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IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Key Employees ” means those Business Employees set forth on Section 1.1(b) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule.

Knowledge of Buyer ” and “ Buyer’s Knowledge ” each means the actual knowledge (without independent inquiry) of the individuals listed on Section 1.1(c)-1 of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule.

Knowledge of Seller ” and “ Seller’s Knowledge ” each means the actual knowledge (without independent inquiry) of the individuals listed on Section 1.1(c)-2 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule.

Law ” means any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other statute, law, treaty, convention, ordinance, rule, code, directive, regulation, ruling or other similar requirement enacted, adopted or promulgated by any Governmental Entity, as amended unless expressly specified otherwise herein.

Legacy Defense Business ” means the business conducted by Seller and the Sold Companies (and certain other Subsidiaries of Seller following the Restructuring) related to the current part numbers of which are listed on Annex II of Exhibit A attached hereto.

Legacy Defense Value ” means $8,749,000.

Lien ” means, with respect to any property or asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, claim, option to purchase or lease or otherwise acquire any interest, charge, security interest, pledge, hypothecation, easement, right-of-way, encumbrance or other adverse claim (as defined in Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code) in respect of such property or asset.

Loss ” or “ Losses ” means any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, obligations, Taxes and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), including any of the foregoing arising under, out of or in connection with any Action; provided , however , that (x) any consequential or similar losses, liabilities or damages must be a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the condition or event giving rise to the associated claim for indemnification, (y) Loss excludes any loss or liability that has been accrued for or reserved against in the Financial Statements (to the extent of such accrual or reserve) and any special, punitive or similar damages (unless such punitive or similar damages are awarded by an arbitrator or Governmental Entity in connection with a Third Party Claim and paid to such third party by an Indemnified Party), and (z) Loss excludes any loss, liability or damages calculated on the basis of a multiple of historical financial results of the Sold Companies (for example, EBITDA and net income) where such calculation does not reasonably reflect lost profits or diminution in value of the Sold Companies; and provided , further , that there shall be no Loss with respect to any breach of any representations or warranties of Seller set forth Section 3.12 (other than any Losses actually incurred by a Seller Indemnified Person through the Cure Date as a result of such breach) if and to the extent that the Remaining Entities thereafter transfer, deliver and contribute to the Sold Companies all of their right, title and interest to, and under, such applicable asset, property or right that otherwise was the cause of such breach (the date of such transfer, delivery and contribution being referred to as the “ Cure Date ”); provided ,

 

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however , that the Cure Date occurs within thirty (30) days following Seller’s receipt of written notice from Buyer of such breach.

Material Adverse Effect ” means any change, occurrence or development that has or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, results of operations or financial condition of the Sold Companies, taken as a whole, in each case, excluding the Legacy Defense Business; provided , however , that no change, occurrence or development arising or resulting from any of the following, either alone or in combination, shall constitute or be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect: (i) (A) general economic, financial, political, capital market, credit market, or financial market conditions (including any disruption thereof and any increase or decline in the price of any security, commodity or any market index) or (B) general conditions affecting any of the industries in which the Sold Companies operate or their customers or suppliers conduct business (including, in each case, changes in exchange rates, embargoes, tariffs and epidemics); (ii) changes in Law or changes in GAAP or accounting standards, or in the authoritative interpretations thereof; (iii) any natural disasters, pandemics or acts of war (whether or not declared), sabotage or terrorism, or an escalation or worsening thereof, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence or the escalation of any military or terrorist attack; (iv) the entry into, announcement or performance of this Agreement, the Closing Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including compliance with the covenants set forth herein, and the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, distributors, resellers, partners, employees, independent contractors or regulators; (v) the identity of, or any facts or circumstances relating to, Buyer or its Affiliates; (vi) any failure by the Sold Companies to meet projections or forecasts (provided that the underlying change, effect, event or occurrence that caused or contributed to such failure to meet projections or forecasts shall not be excluded unless otherwise excluded pursuant to this definition); (vii) any actions taken pursuant to or in accordance with this Agreement or the Closing Agreements; (viii) any failure to obtain any waiver or Consent from any Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Closing Agreements (it being understood that this clause (viii) shall not limit the effect of Section 6.2(i) ); (ix) the continued employment of any Business Employees (including any Key Employees) by the Sold Companies (it being understood that this clause (ix) shall not limit the effect of Section 6.2(h) ); and (x) any actions to which Buyer has consented or agreed pursuant to this Agreement, any actions or omissions to act at the request of Buyer, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective representatives pursuant to this Agreement, or any failure by the Sold Companies to take any action as a result of the restrictions set forth in Section 5.1(b) ; provided , further , however , that any change, occurrence or development referred to in any of the preceding clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) shall be taken into account for purposes of such clause only to the extent that such change, occurrence or development does not adversely affect the Sold Companies, taken as a whole, in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to other companies operating in the industries in which the Sold Companies compete (excluding the Legacy Defense Business).

Nondisclosure Agreement ” means the nondisclosure agreement, dated as of March 13, 2013, by and between Seller and Buyer, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

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Option Exchange Ratio ” means the quotient of (i) the Assumed Business Employee Option Rollover Value divided by (ii) the Applicable Buyer Stock Price.

Order ” means any order, award, injunction, judgment, decree, enactment, ruling, subpoena or verdict or other decision issued, promulgated or entered by or with any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction.

Permit ” means any license, permit, registration, authorization, acceptance or franchise of or from any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction or pursuant to any Law.

Permitted Liens ” means (i) statutory Liens for Taxes or other governmental charges that are not yet due and payable, (ii) Liens in respect of property or assets imposed by Law that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, including carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s and mechanics’ liens and other similar liens; (iii) pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure obligations under workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, retirement and similar laws or similar legislation or to secure public or statutory obligations; (iv) Liens that will be released and, as appropriate, removed of record, at or prior to the Closing in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; (v) those matters identified on Section 1.1(d) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule; (vi) with respect to leasehold interests, mortgages and other statutory Liens incurred, created, assumed or permitted to exist and arising by, through or under a landlord or owner of the leased real property; and (vii) such other Liens unrelated to financings that do not materially and adversely impact the use of such property or asset.

Person ” means an individual, a corporation, a company, a partnership, a limited liability company, a trust, an unincorporated association, a joint venture, a Governmental Entity or any other entity or body.

Pre-Closing Period ” means the period from and after the date of this Agreement and until the earlier of (x) the termination of this Agreement or (y) the Closing.

Pre-Closing Tax Period ” means any Tax period ending on or before the Closing Date and that portion of any Straddle Period ending on (and including) the Closing Date.

Property Taxes ” means all real property Taxes, personal property Taxes and similar ad valorem Taxes.

Registered IP ” means all Intellectual Property that is issued by, registered with or is subject to an application (whether or not published) filed with any Governmental Entity or domain name registrar (including for clarity, provisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisions, reexaminations, reissues, extensions, renewals and foreign counterparts).

Remaining Entity ” means Saleen Holdings and each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Sold Companies).

Replacement Option Value ” means, with respect to each Assumed Business Employee Option, an amount equal to the product of (i) the excess (if any) of (A) the Assumed Business Employee Option Rollover Value over (B) the exercise price per Seller Share with

 

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respect to such Assumed Business Employee Option, multiplied by (ii) the number of Seller Shares subject to such Assumed Business Employee Option immediately prior to the Closing.

Representatives ” means a Person’s officers, directors, employees, members, partners, agents, attorneys, accountants, advisors (including, legal and financial advisors) and other authorized representatives.

Restricted Cash ” means Cash on Hand that may not be dividended or distributed to Buyer or any United States Subsidiary of Buyer following the Closing without incurring withholding Tax or other Tax cost.

Revolving Credit Agreement ” means that certain Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, originally effective as of April 13, 2012 and amended and restated as of August 31, 2012, between Seller, as Borrower, and SMART Worldwide, as Lender, as further amended on January 4, 2013 and from time to time thereafter.

Seller Benefit Plan ” means each Benefit Plan that is maintained, participated in, sponsored or contributed to by Seller of any of its Affiliates (other than the Sold Companies), or with respect to which Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Sold Companies) contributes or is obligated to contribute and, in either case, which covers, is entered into by or with and/or provides compensation or benefits to any Business Employees.

Seller Disclosure Schedule ” means the disclosure schedule delivered by Seller to Buyer on the date hereof.

Seller Fundamental Reps ” means the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in Section 3.2 (Capitalization of the Sold Companies), Section 3.3 (Seller Options), Section 3.4 (Authority), Section 3.8 (Taxes), Section 3.12(a) (Appropriate Division of Assets) and Section 3.23 (Brokers and Other Advisors).

Seller General Release ” means the General Release to be dated as of the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit C-2 attached hereto.

Seller Group ” means, collectively, Seller, Saleen Holdings, Saleen Intermediate and SMART Worldwide.

Seller Group Transaction Expenses ” means all fees and expenses paid or payable (including by way of an obligation to reimburse any other party who paid or will pay such amounts in the first instances) by any member of the Seller Group or any of their respective Affiliates (other than the Sold Companies) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the other Closing Agreements as reasonably determined by the Seller. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that (i) this definition shall include (A) the aggregate amount of any fees and expenses of the CPA Firm paid by Seller pursuant to Section 2.5(c) or Section 2.6(b) , (B) the Shortfall Amount (if any), (C) any fees and expenses paid by Seller to the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 6(j) of the Escrow Agreement, (D) any payments by Seller to the Escrow Agent or other Indemnitees (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) pursuant to Section 6(m) of the Escrow Agreement, (E) any amounts payable by any Seller Group member to a Buyer Indemnified Party pursuant to ARTICLE VIII to the extent not fully satisfied from the

 

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Escrow Account or any Transaction Insurance Policy and (F) any fees and expenses paid by Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Sold Companies) for any insurance in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the other Closing Agreements (each, a “ Transaction Insurance Policy ”) and (ii) this definition shall not include any Obligations (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) paid by Seller to SMART Worldwide pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement Release.

Seller Option Plan ” means the SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc. 2011 Share Incentive Plan.

Seller Options ” means each option to purchase Seller Shares granted under the Seller Option Plan.

Seller Share ” means an ordinary share, $0.01 par value, of Seller.

SL Agreement ” means the Non-Solicitation Agreement to be dated as of the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit F attached hereto.

STB ” means Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.

Straddle Period ” means any Tax period beginning before or on and ending after the Closing Date.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other legal entity of which such Person (either alone or through or together with any other Subsidiary), owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the stock or other equity interests or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power, the holders of which are generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors or other governing body of a non-corporate Person.

Target Net Working Capital ” has the meaning specified in Exhibit D attached hereto.

Taxes ” means all federal, state, local and foreign income, profits, franchise, gross receipts, branch profits, occupation, premium, windfall profits, escheat, environmental, customs duty, capital stock, severance, stamp, payroll, sales, service, real property, gains, transfer, registration, employment, unemployment, disability, social security, license, alternative or add on minimum or estimated tax, ad valorem, use, personal property, withholding, excise, production, value added, occupancy and any other taxes, customs, duties or similar assessments of any nature whatsoever, together with any interest, penalties or additions to tax, whether disputed or not, imposed by any Governmental Entity.

Tax Returns ” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

 

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Taxing Authority ” means, with respect to any Tax, the Governmental Entity or political subdivision thereof or any transnational or supranational authority that imposes such Tax or is charged with the collection of such Tax.

Transfer Taxes ” means any liability, obligation or commitment for transfer, documentary, sales, use, registration, value-added and other similar Taxes (including all applicable real estate transfer Taxes and real property transfer gains Taxes) and related amounts (including any penalties, interest and additions to Taxes).

Transition Services Agreement ” means the Transition Services Agreement to be dated as of the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit G attached hereto.

Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses ” means, in each case, solely to the extent not paid by the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Restructuring, (i) the fees and expenses payable by any of the Sold Companies to financial advisors for investment banking services in connection with this Agreement and the Closing Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (ii) the fees and expenses payable by any of the Sold Companies to STB and any other outside attorneys engaged by any of the Sold Companies in connection with this Agreement and the Closing Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (iii) the fees and expenses payable by any of the Sold Companies to any accountants, consultants or other advisors incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Closing Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (iv) any transaction, change in control, retention, severance and other transaction or transaction-linked bonuses or other compensation, payments or benefits, in each case which are payable by any of the Sold Companies and to which any current or former Business Employees or other employees, consultants, directors or officers of Seller, the Sold Companies, the Remaining Entities or any of their respective Affiliates become entitled on or prior to the Closing, in connection with this Agreement and/or the Closing Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and/or thereby (including any termination of service in connection therewith), together with any Taxes incurred or to be incurred by any Sold Company in respect thereof, (v) all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including any Transfer Taxes) payable by any of the Sold Companies to third parties in connection with the Restructuring, (vi) all other miscellaneous out-of-pocket fees and expenses payable to third parties, in each case, incurred by the Sold Companies in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (vii) any Transfer Taxes or other transfer or documentary Taxes referenced in Section 9.3(b) . For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that this definition shall not include (1) any fees or expenses incurred by Buyer and/or any of its Affiliates or any of its Representatives, regardless of whether any such fees or expenses may be paid by any of the Sold Companies, (2) any severance that becomes payable to any Continuing Employee on or after the Closing as a result of Buyer’s failure to comply with its obligations in Section 5.6(a) ( provided , that, with respect to any Business Employee who is entitled to receive severance from Seller or the Sold Companies pursuant to any Contract and who does not execute and deliver an Offer Letter prior to the Closing, if (x) Buyer has complied with its obligations pursuant to the first sentence of Section 5.6(a) and otherwise complied in all material respects with its other obligations pursuant to Section 5.6(a) and Section 5.6(b) , in each case as they apply with respect to such Business Employee, (y) Buyer or the Sold Companies terminate the employment of such Business Employee or such Business Employee voluntarily terminates his or her employment,

 

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whether before or after the Closing, and (z) any severance payments are paid or payable to such Business Employee pursuant to such Contract as a result of such termination, then it is understood and agreed that such severance payments shall constitute Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses unless taken into account in calculating the other Final Purchase Price Elements) or (3) any Indebtedness.

Vested Business Employee Option ” means each Vested Seller Option held by a Continuing Employee after giving effect to the accelerated vesting set forth on Section 3.3 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule.

Vested Per Share Portion ” means a fraction (i) the numerator of which is one, and (ii) the denominator of which is equal to the sum, without duplication, of (A) the number of Seller Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing (other than any such shares held by Seller or any wholly owned Subsidiary of Seller) plus (B) the number of Seller Shares issuable upon the exercise of all Seller Options that are not Assumed Business Employee Options.

Vested Per Share Portion of the Distributable Closing Date Consideration ” means the product of (i) the Vested Per Share Portion, multiplied by (ii) the Distributable Closing Date Consideration.

Vested Per Share Portion of Escrow Release Consideration ” means, with respect to any Escrow Release Consideration, the product of (i) the Vested Per Share Portion, multiplied by (ii) such Escrow Release Consideration.

Vested Per Share Portion of the Excess Amount ” means the product of (i) the Vested Per Share Portion, multiplied by (ii) the Excess Amount (if any).

Vested Per Share Portion of a Holdback Release Amount ” means, with respect to any Holdback Release Amount, the product of (i) the Vested Per Share Portion, multiplied by (ii) such Holdback Release Amount.

Vested Seller Options ” means all Seller Options to the extent they are outstanding and vested and exercisable as of immediately prior to the Closing (including, for the avoidance of doubt, all outstanding Seller Options that vest as of a result of the Closing).

Westford LC ” means that certain Irrevocable Letter of Credit in the amount of $168,625, originally dated September 8, 2010 and supplemented on September 23, 2010, issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. in favor of RREEF America REIT III-ZI LLC.

Section 1.2 Additional Defined Terms . The following terms are defined in the corresponding Sections of this Agreement:

 

Term

  

Section

 

SMART Worldwide

     Preamble

Arizona Sold Shares

     Section 2.4(a)(i)

Assets

     Section 3.11(a)  

 

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Bankruptcy Exceptions

     Section 3.4  

Books and Records

     Section 5.10(b)  

Buyer

     Preamble  

Buyer Benefit Plans

     Section 5.6(c)  

Buyer Favorable Outcome

     Section 8.10(c)  

Buyer Indemnified Persons

     Section 8.2(a)  

BuyerSub

     Preamble  

Closing

     Section 2.3  

Closing Date

     Section 2.3  

Closing Statement

     Section 2.5(a)  

Continuing Employee

     Section 5.6(a)  

Contracting Parties

     Section 9.17  

CPA Firm

     Section 2.5(c)  

De Minimis Claim

     Section 8.2(b)(i)  

Deductible

     Section 8.2(b)(ii)  

Determination Date

     Section 2.5(d)  

Enterprise AR Aging Reports

     Section 3.6(e)  

Enterprise Financial Statements

     Section 3.6(b)  

Environmental Laws

     Section 3.20  

Escrow Limited Claims

     Section 8.2(b)(iii)  

Estimated Closing Statement

     Section 2.2(a)  

Excess Amount

     Section 2.5(e)(i)  

Exchange Act

     Section 5.11(a)  

Final Closing Statement

     Section 2.5(d)  

Financial Statements

     Section 3.6(b)  

Foreign Benefit Plan

     Section 3.18(k)  

Government Official

     Section 3.9(d)  

Guaranteed Obligations

     Section 9.20(a)  

Guardian Technology

     Section 3.13(a)  

Indemnified Party

     Section 8.5  

Indemnifying Party

     Section 8.5  

Insurance Policies

     Section 3.21  

Interdivisional Payables and Receivables

     Section 5.9(c)  

Key Employee Offer Letter

     Recitals  

Malaysia Sold Shares

     Section 2.4(a)(vi)  

Malicious Code

     Section 3.14(b)  

Material Contracts

     Section 3.17(a)  

Materials of Environmental Concern

     Section 3.20  

New Business Employee

     Section 5.6(a)  

Nonparty Affiliates

     Section 9.17  

Objection

     Section 2.5(b)  

OFAC

     Section 3.9(b)  

Offer Letter

     Section 5.6(a)  

Officer’s Claim Certificate

     Section 8.9(a)  

Open Source Licenses

     Section 3.13(e)  

Other Interested Party

     Section 5.15  

 

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parties

     Preamble  

Pre-Closing Covenants

     Section 8.1  

Product Warranties

     Section 3.14(c)  

Purchase Price Allocation Statement

     Section 2.6(a)  

Real Property Leases

     Section 3.10  

Resolution Period

     Section 2.5(b)  

Resolved Matters

     Section 2.5(b)  

Restrictive Covenants

     Section 3.13(i)  

Restructuring

     Recitals  

Retained Escrow Amount

     Section 8.10(a)  

Retained Escrow Excess

     Section 8.10(b)  

Review Period

     Section 2.5(b)  

Revolving Credit Agreement Release

     Section 5.9(a)  

Saleen Holdings

     Preamble  

Saleen Intermediate

     Preamble  

Second A&R Beneficial Transfer Agreement

     Section 3.8(o)  

Securities Act

     Section 4.7  

Seller

     Preamble  

Seller Favorable Outcome

     Section 8.10(b)  

Seller Financial Statements

     Section 3.6(a)  

Seller Indemnified Persons

     Section 8.3  

Seller IP Reps

     Section 8.1  

Shortfall Amount

     Section 2.5(e)(ii)  

Singapore Sold Shares

     Section 2.4(a)(v)  

SL Agreement

     Recitals  

SLMC

     Section 6.2(i)  

SLMCS

     Section 6.2(i)  

Sold Companies

     Recitals  

Sold Shares

     Recitals  

Storage Austria

     Recitals  

Storage AZ

     Recitals  

Storage Malaysia

     Recitals  

Storage Singapore

     Recitals  

Tax Benefit

     Section 8.7  

Tax Claim

     Section 8.6  

Termination Date

     Section 7.1(a)(v)  

Third Party Claim

     Section 8.5  

Top Customers

     Section 3.17(c)  

Top Suppliers

     Section 3.17(c)  

Unresolved Claim

     Section 8.10(a)  

Unresolved Matters

     Section 2.5(c)  

Vested Business Employee Option Closing Date Consideration

     Section 5.7(a)(i)  

Vested Business Employee Option Escrow Release Consideration

     Section 5.7(a)(i)  

Vested Business Employee Option Excess Amount Consideration

     Section 5.7(a)(i)  

Vested Business Employee Option Holdback Release Consideration

     Section 5.7(a)(i)  

Vested Business Employee Option Legacy Defense Consideration

     Section 5.7(a)(i)  

 

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Vested Business Employee Option Payments

     Section 5.7(a)(i)  

WARN Act

     Section 3.19(e)  

Section 1.3 Other Interpretive Provisions . The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole (including the Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules hereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and all Article, Section, and Annex, Exhibit and Schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any capitalized terms used in any Annex, Exhibit, or Schedule hereto but not otherwise defined therein shall be defined as set forth in this Agreement. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “or” is not exclusive, unless the context otherwise requires. The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all references to “dollars” or “$” shall be deemed references to the lawful money of the United States. When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period shall be excluded. If the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question shall end on the next succeeding Business Day.

ARTICLE II

PURCHASE AND SALE OF SOLD SHARES

Section 2.1 Purchase and Sale of Sold Shares . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the Closing Date:

(a) Seller will sell, assign and transfer to Buyer, and Buyer will purchase and acquire, all of Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the Arizona Sold Shares, free and clear of all Liens other than (i) Liens imposed by federal and state securities Laws and (ii) Liens that may be created by or on behalf of Buyer or any of its Affiliates.

(b) Seller will sell, assign and transfer to BuyerSub, and BuyerSub will purchase and acquire, all of Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the Singapore Sold Shares and the Malaysia Sold Shares, free and clear of all Liens other than (i) Liens imposed by federal and state securities Laws and (ii) Liens that may be created by or on behalf of Buyer or any of its Affiliates.

Section 2.2 Estimated Purchase Price; Escrow Amount .

(a) Determination of Estimated Purchase Price . No later than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver to Buyer a statement (the “ Estimated Closing Statement ”) and a certificate executed on behalf of Seller by the Chief

 

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Financial Officer of Seller setting forth Seller’s good faith calculation of (i) the Estimated Purchase Price, (ii) each of the Estimated Purchase Price Elements and (iii) the Assumed Business Employee Option Rollover Value, together with all reasonable supporting detail and backup materials with respect to the calculation of such amounts; provided , however , that (x) at least five (5) Business Days prior to the delivery of the Estimated Closing Statement to Buyer, Seller shall provide a draft of the Estimated Closing Statement and such supporting detail to Buyer for its review, (y) Seller shall provide Buyer with the opportunity to provide comments to such draft and calculation in good faith and (z) Seller shall give due and reasonable consideration in good faith to any comments made by Buyer. The Estimated Closing Statement shall be prepared in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including Exhibit C attached hereto with respect to Estimated Net Working Capital.

(b) Payment of the Estimated Purchase Price . At the Closing, in consideration of the sale, assignment and transfer of the Sold Shares, Buyer shall pay an aggregate amount to Seller equal to (i) the Estimated Purchase Price minus (ii) the Escrow Amount, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in United States dollars to one or more accounts designated by Seller at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

(c) Delivery of the Escrow Amount . At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver to the Escrow Agent, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in United States dollars to the Escrow Account, an amount equal to the Escrow Amount to be held in the Escrow Account in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

Section 2.3 The Closing . Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to ARTICLE VII , and subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, the written waiver thereof by the party entitled to waive any such condition), the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at 9:00 a.m. San Francisco time at the offices of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, 2475 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, on the fourth Business Day after satisfaction or waiver of each condition set forth in Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions), unless another time, date and/or place is agreed to in writing by Seller and Buyer. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “ Closing Date .”

Section 2.4 Deliveries at the Closing .

(a) At or prior to the Closing, Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered or made available to Buyer or BuyerSub, as applicable, the following:

(i) in respect of the Sold Shares of Storage AZ (the “ Arizona Sold Shares ”), stock certificates evidencing the Arizona Sold Shares to be sold by Seller duly endorsed in blank, or accompanied by stock powers duly executed in blank;

(ii) the duly executed certificate to be delivered by Seller pursuant to Section 6.2(c) ;

 

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(iii) all necessary forms and certificates complying with applicable Law, duly executed and acknowledged, certifying that the sale of Sold Shares of any Sold Companies that are domestic corporations are exempt for United States federal income tax purposes from withholding under Section 1445 of the Code;

(iv) the duly executed payoff letter and duly executed copies of the other documents evidencing the Revolving Credit Facility Release, in each case pursuant to Section 5.9 ;

(v) in respect of the Sold Shares of Storage Singapore (the “ Singapore Sold Shares ”), the following:

(A) original share certificates in respect of the Singapore Sold Shares;

(B) valid share transfer forms in respect of the Singapore Sold Shares, duly executed by Seller in favor of BuyerSub;

(C) a working sheet signed by a director or secretary of Storage Singapore computing the net asset value per share of Storage Singapore and/or such other document(s) as may be prescribed from time to time by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore for the purpose of assessing the stamp duty payable on the transfer of the Singapore Sold Shares; and

(D) certified true copies of the resolutions passed by the board of directors of Storage Singapore: (1) approving the transfer of the Singapore Sold Shares to BuyerSub; (2) authorizing the issue of new share certificates in respect of the Singapore Sold Shares in favor of BuyerSub; and (3) approving the entry into the register of members of Storage Singapore the name of BuyerSub as the holder of the Singapore Sold Shares; and

(vi) in respect of the Sold Shares of Storage Malaysia (the “ Malaysia Sold Shares ”), the following:

(A) original share certificates in respect of the Malaysia Sold Shares;

(B) valid share transfer forms (Form 32A) in respect of the Malaysia Sold Shares, duly executed and completed by the Seller in favor of BuyerSub;

(C) the stamp duty proforma (in the prescribed form) duly completed by the company secretary of Storage Malaysia in respect of the transfer of the Malaysia Sold Shares for the purposes of adjudication of the stamp duty payable on transfer; and

(D) certified true copies of the resolutions passed by the board of directors of Storage Malaysia: (1) approving the transfer of the Malaysia Sold

 

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Shares to BuyerSub; (2) authorizing the issue of new share certificates in respect of the Malaysia Sold Shares in favor of BuyerSub; (3) approving the entry into the register of members of Storage Malaysia the name of BuyerSub as the holder of the Malaysia Sold Shares and (4) approving the use of the common seal on the new share certificates to be issued in respect of the Malaysia Sold Shares in favor of BuyerSub.

(b) At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver or cause to be delivered or made available to Seller the following:

(i) the Estimated Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.2(b) ; and

(ii) the duly executed certificate to be delivered by Buyer pursuant to Section 6.1(c) .

(c) At or prior to the Closing, Buyer shall deliver the Escrow Amount to the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 2.2(c) .

(d) At or prior to the Closing, Seller and Buyer shall, or shall cause their respective Affiliates party thereto, to duly execute and deliver the Closing Agreements to each other (to the extent such Closing Agreements have not already been previously executed and delivered).

Section 2.5 Post-Closing Purchase Price Adjustment .

(a) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date, and in any event, within forty-five (45) days thereof, Seller shall deliver to Buyer a statement (the “ Closing Statement ”) setting forth its good faith calculation of (i) the Final Purchase Price and (ii) each of the Final Purchase Price Elements, together with reasonable supporting detail with respect to the calculation of such amounts. The Closing Statement shall be prepared in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including Exhibit C attached hereto with respect to Closing Net Working Capital.

(b) After receipt of the Closing Statement from Seller, Buyer shall have sixty (60) days to review the Closing Statement (the “ Review Period ”). The Closing Statement shall be binding and conclusive upon, and deemed accepted by, Buyer unless Buyer shall have notified Seller in writing prior to the expiration of the Review Period of any dispute or objection thereto (any such written dispute or objection, the “ Objection ”), with reasonable supporting detail as to any such Objection. Any items not disputed or objected to in an Objection shall be deemed to have been accepted by Buyer. If no Objection is delivered by Buyer to Seller prior to the expiration of the Review Period or Buyer otherwise earlier notifies Seller in writing that Buyer has no disputes or objections to the Closing Statement, then the Closing Statement shall be deemed to have been accepted by Seller and Buyer and shall become final and binding upon Seller and Buyer. Seller and Buyer shall, within thirty (30) days (or such longer period as Seller and Buyer may agree in writing) following delivery of an Objection to Seller (the “ Resolution Period ”), attempt in good faith to resolve their differences, all such discussions and communications related thereto shall (unless otherwise agreed in writing by Seller and Buyer) be governed by Rule 408 of the Federal Rules of Evidence and any applicable similar state rule, and

 

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any written agreement by them as to any disputed amounts shall be final, binding and conclusive. Any items agreed to by Seller and Buyer in writing, together with any items not disputed or objected to by Seller in an Objection, are collectively referred to herein as the “ Resolved Matters ”). Any Resolved Matters shall be final and binding on Seller and Buyer, except to the extent such component could be affected by other components of the calculations set forth in the Closing Statement that are the subject of an Objection.

(c) If, at the end of the Resolution Period, Seller and Buyer have been unable to resolve in writing all differences that they may have with respect to the matters specified in any Objections, either Seller or Buyer may refer all matters that remain in dispute with respect to any Objections (the “ Unresolved Matters ”) to Grant Thornton LLP (or if such firm is unable or unwilling to accept such engagement, an internationally recognized independent public accounting firm jointly selected by Seller and Buyer or, if Seller and Buyer are unable to agree within five (5) Business Days from the end of the Resolution Period, then such internationally recognized independent public accounting firm jointly selected by Seller’s and Buyer’s independent accountants within five (5) Business Days thereafter) (the “ CPA Firm ”). Seller and Buyer each agree to promptly sign an engagement letter, in commercially reasonable form, as may reasonably be required by the CPA Firm, and to the extent necessary, each of Seller and Buyer will waive and cause its controlling Affiliates to waive any conflicts with, the CPA Firm at the time any Unresolved Matters are submitted to the CPA Firm. The CPA Firm shall, acting as experts in accounting and not as arbitrators, determine on a basis consistent with the requirements of this Agreement, and only with respect to the Unresolved Matters so submitted, whether and to what extent the Closing Statement requires adjustment. Seller and Buyer shall request the CPA Firm to use its reasonable best efforts to (i) render its final written determination within thirty (30) days after such firm’s engagement, and (ii) prepare the Final Closing Statement (which shall be consistent with the Resolved Matters and the final determination of the CPA Firm of the Unresolved Matters). The final written determination of the CPA Firm shall be based only on the written submissions by Seller and Buyer, and shall be made in strict accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without regard to principles of equity. With respect to each Unresolved Matter, the CPA Firm’s determination, if not in accordance with the position of either Seller or Buyer, shall not be in excess of the higher, nor less than the lower, of the amounts advocated by Seller and Buyer with respect thereto. The CPA Firm’s final written determination shall be conclusive and binding upon Seller and Buyer, absent manifest error. Seller and Buyer shall, and their own expense, make reasonably available to the CPA Firm, upon the CPA’s Firm’s request, all relevant books and records, any workpapers (including those of Seller’s and Buyer’s respective accountants) and supporting documentation relating to the Closing Statement and all other items reasonably requested by the CPA Firm ( provided , that they shall contemporaneously provide a copy to the other party of any materials requested by, and provided to, the CPA Firm). None of Seller, Buyer or any of their respective Affiliates shall have any ex parte communications or meetings with the CPA Firm regarding the subject matter hereof without the other party’s prior written consent. The CPA Firm shall also determine the proportion of its fees and expenses to be paid by each of Seller and Buyer based on the degree (as determined by the CPA Firm) to which the CPA Firm has accepted the positions of Seller and Buyer.

(d) The “ Final Closing Statement ” shall be (i) in the event that no Objection is delivered by Buyer to Seller prior to the expiration of the Review Period or Buyer otherwise

 

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earlier notifies Seller in writing that Buyer has no disputes or objections to the Closing Statement, the Closing Statement delivered by Seller to Buyer pursuant to Section 2.5(a) , (ii) in the event that an Objection is delivered by Buyer to Seller prior to the expiration of the Review Period, the Closing Statement delivered by Seller to Buyer pursuant to Section 2.5(a) as adjusted pursuant to the agreement of Seller and Buyer in writing or (iii) in the event that an Objection is delivered by Buyer to Seller prior to the expiration of the Review Period and Seller and Buyer are unable to agree on all matters set forth in such Objection, the Closing Statement delivered by Seller to Buyer pursuant Section 2.5(a) as adjusted by the CPA Firm to be consistent with the Resolved Matters and the final determination of the CPA Firm of the Unresolved Matters in accordance with Section 2.5(c) , absent manifest error. In the event the Final Closing Statement is determined (x) pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence, Seller shall prepare the Final Closing Statement in strict accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and deliver it to Buyer within three (3) Business Days following the determination thereof or (y) pursuant to clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence, the CPA Firm shall prepare the Final Closing Statement (which shall be consistent with the Resolved Matters and the final determination of the CPA Firm of the Unresolved Matters) in strict accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and deliver it to Seller and Buyer within three (3) Business Days following the delivery of the final written determination of the CPA Firm to Seller and Buyer. The date on which the Final Closing Statement is finally determined and delivered in accordance with this Section 2.5(d) is hereinafter referred to as the “ Determination Date ”.

(e) Upon the Determination Date:

(i) If the amount of the Final Purchase Price set forth in the Final Closing Statement exceeds the amount of the Estimated Purchase Price set forth in the Estimated Closing Statement (the “ Excess Amount ”), then within five (5) Business Days after the Determination Date Buyer shall pay, or cause to be paid, an amount in cash equal to the Excess Amount to Seller by wire transfer of immediately available funds in United States dollars to one or more accounts designated by Seller.

(ii) If the amount of the Estimated Purchase Price set forth in the Estimated Closing Statement exceeds the Final Purchase Price set forth in the Final Closing Statement (the “ Shortfall Amount ”), then within five (5) Business Days after the Determination Date Seller shall pay, or cause to be paid, an amount in cash equal to the Shortfall Amount to Buyer by wire transfer of immediately available funds in United States dollars to one or more accounts designated by Buyer.

(f) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, from and after the Closing Date until the determination of the Final Closing Statement pursuant to this Section 2.5 , Buyer shall, and shall cause the Sold Companies to, permit Seller and its Representatives reasonable access to the personnel, accountants and properties of the Sold Companies during standard business hours upon reasonable advance notice, and each party shall provide the other party and its Representatives with reasonable access (with the right to make copies), during standard business hours upon reasonable advance notice, to all of the books, records, Contracts and other documents (including auditor’s work papers) of Seller and the Sold Companies that are or could reasonably be relevant to the calculations set forth in the Closing Statement, an

 

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Objection or otherwise related to the negotiation and/or resolution of the Final Closing Statement.

Section 2.6 Purchase Price Allocation .

(a) The allocation of the purchase price between the Sold Shares, as adjusted pursuant to this Section 2.6 (the “ Purchase Price Allocation Statement ”), shall be prepared in accordance with the methodology agreed to by the parties and set forth on Section 2.6(a) of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule. No later than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Buyer shall prepare and deliver to Seller an estimated allocation of the purchase price between the Sold Shares, as adjusted pursuant to this Section 2.6 (the “ Purchase Price Allocation Statement ”), prepared in a manner consistent with the methodology agreed to by the parties, reflecting the allocation of the Estimated Purchase Price between the Sold Shares. On the Determination Date, Buyer shall deliver a final Purchase Price Allocation Statement, prepared in a manner consistent with the methodology agreed to by the parties, reflecting the allocation of the Final Purchase Price between the Sold Shares.

(b) Seller and Buyer shall work in good faith to resolve any disputes relating to the final Purchase Price Allocation Statement. If Seller and Buyer are unable to agree to such allocation within thirty (30) days of the delivery of the Purchase Price Allocation Statement to Seller, Seller and Buyer agree to promptly submit the matter to the CPA Firm for resolution. Seller and Buyer will share equally the fees and expenses of the CPA Firm with respect to such a resolution.

(c) In the event an adjustment to the Final Purchase Price is made under this Agreement, the final Purchase Price Allocation Statement shall be adjusted in a manner consistent with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.6 . Seller and Buyer agree that they will not, and will not permit any of their respective Affiliates to, take a position (except as required pursuant to any order of a Taxing Authority) on any Tax Return or in any audit or examination before any Taxing Authority that is in any way inconsistent with the final Purchase Price Allocation Statement, as adjusted herein.

Section 2.7 Withholding Rights . Buyer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as Buyer is required to deduct and withhold under the Code or any Tax Law with respect to the making of such payment; provided , that Buyer shall not deduct or withhold any amounts from the amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to Seller, except if such withholding is required (i) as a result of Seller’s failure to (A) deliver an IRS Form W-8, (B) comply with the requirements of Section 2.4(a)(iii) of this Agreement or (C) deliver the representations and documentation necessary for Buyer to rely on the portfolio interest exemption under Section 871(h) of the Code, or (ii) as a result of a change in Tax Law after the date hereof, with respect to the making of such payment; provided , further , that, prior to making any such deduction or withholding from any Person other than a Business Employee, Buyer shall provide notice to the recipient of the amounts subject to withholding and a reasonable opportunity for such recipient to provide forms or other evidence that would reduce or eliminate such withholding tax. To the extent that amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of

 

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this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of whom such deduction and withholding was made.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

Except (i) as set forth in the Seller Disclosure Schedule (subject to Section 9.2 ) and (ii) with respect to the Legacy Defense Business (unless otherwise expressly indicated), and in each case after giving effect to the Restructuring (unless otherwise expressly indicated), Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

Section 3.1 Qualification, Organization and Subsidiaries .

(a) Each of Seller and the Sold Companies is a legal entity duly organized, incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing) under the Laws of its respective jurisdiction of organization, incorporation or formation. Each of the Sold Companies (i) has all requisite corporate or similar power, authority and right to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business in all material respects as presently conducted and (ii) in all material respects is qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation (or other applicable entity) in each jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of its assets or properties or conduct of its business requires such qualification. Seller has made available to Buyer prior to the date hereof complete and correct copies of: (i) the certificate of incorporation and bylaws (or equivalent organizational and governing documents), in each case as amended through the date hereof, of each of the Sold Companies; (ii) the stock records of each Sold Company since August 26, 2011 through the date hereof; and (iii) the minutes and other records of the meetings where formal resolutions were adopted (including any actions taken by written consent or otherwise without a meeting) by the stockholders of each Sold Company, the board of directors and committees thereof or equivalent governing bodies of each of the Sold Companies, in each case, since August 26, 2011 through the date hereof.

(b) Except as set forth on Section 3.2 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, no Sold Companies have any Subsidiaries.

(c) Saleen Holdings, Saleen Intermediate and SMART Worldwide represent all of the direct and indirect parent companies of Seller (it being understood that none of Silver Lake Partners III, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund, L.P. or any of their respective investment fund Affiliates shall be deemed to be a direct or indirect parent company of Seller), and SMART Worldwide is the direct or indirect parent company of all other Remaining Entities.

Section 3.2 Capitalization of Sold Companies .

(a) Set forth on Section 3.2 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule is (i) the jurisdiction of organization, incorporation or formation and (ii) the number of authorized, issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Sold Companies and, except as set forth on Section 3.2 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, there are no other authorized, issued or outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Sold

 

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Companies. Except as set forth on Section 3.2 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, all of the issued and outstanding Sold Shares are owned of record free and clear of any Liens except Liens imposed by federal and state securities Laws. All of such issued and outstanding Sold Shares are duly authorized and have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and have not been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights. Except as set forth on Section 3.2 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding options, warrants, calls, rights or any other agreements, commitments or legally binding understandings affecting the sale, issuance or voting of any shares of the capital stock or other equity securities of the Sold Companies, or any securities or other instruments convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right to purchase any shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Sold Companies. There are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements, commitments or legally binding understandings to which Seller or any Sold Company is a party with respect to the voting, transfer or registration of the shares or other equity interests of the Sold Companies (including restricting the transfer of, or requiring the registration for sale of, any shares of capital stock of or other voting or equity interests in any Sold Company), granting any person the right to elect, or to designate or nominate for election, a director to the board of directors (or similar governing body) of any of the Sold Companies.

(b) Since August 26, 2011, none of the Sold Companies have issued or granted, and there are no outstanding or authorized, options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, stock units, phantom equity or other compensatory equity or equity-linked award to any employee, consultant, director, manager or other service provider of any such entity.

Section 3.3 Seller Options . Section 3.3 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule sets forth, as of the date hereof, a list of all outstanding Seller Options held by Business Employees and, in the case of each such Seller Option held by a Business Employee, the name of the Business Employee, the date of grant, the per share exercise price, the vesting schedule (including any accelerated vesting provisions), the vested status (including the number of vested and unvested Seller Shares subject to such Seller Option), and the expiration date. Each Seller Option held by a Business Employee was granted as nonqualified under Section 422 of the Code.

Section 3.4 Authority . Each of Seller and the other members of the Seller Group has all requisite company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each of the Closing Agreements to which it is or will be a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by each of Seller and the other members of the Seller Group (as applicable) of this Agreement and each of the Closing Agreements to which it is or will be a party, the performance by each of Seller and the other members of the Seller Group (as applicable) of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary company action on the part of Seller or such other member of the Seller Group (as applicable). This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and each other member of the Seller Group and on the Closing Date each of Seller and the other members of the Seller Group will have duly executed and delivered each of the Closing Agreements to which it will be a party (as applicable). This Agreement constitutes, and each Closing Agreement to which Seller or any other member of the Seller Group will be a party, when so executed and delivered, will constitute, a valid and binding obligation of Seller or such member of the Seller Group (as

 

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applicable), enforceable against Seller or such member of the Seller Group (as applicable) in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and is subject to general principles of equity (the “ Bankruptcy Exceptions ”).

Section 3.5 Noncontravention .

(a) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the Closing Agreements, when so executed and delivered, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, (i) violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or equivalent organizational and governing documents) of Seller, any other member of the Seller Group or the Sold Companies, (ii) assuming compliance with the filing and notice requirements set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) of Section 3.5(b) , violate any Law applicable to Seller, any other member of the Seller Group or the Sold Companies or (iii) except as set forth in Section 3.5(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, result in a material breach of, constitute a material default under, give rise to any right of modification of any material obligations or the loss of any material benefit under, result in the termination of or a right of termination or cancellation under, accelerate in any material respect the performance required by, or otherwise violate in any material respect any Material Contract or any material Permit affecting the assets or properties of any of the Sold Companies or (iv) result in the creation of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any material properties, rights or assets of the Sold Companies. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 3.5(a) shall be construed to apply to Company-Owned Intellectual Property, which matters shall be exclusively governed by Section 3.13 .

(b) The execution and delivery by each of Seller and the other members of the Seller Group of this Agreement and each of the Closing Agreements to which it is or will be a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not require any Consent of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except for (i) such filings as may be required under the HSR Act, (ii) any filings as may be required under state securities Laws and (iii) the filings to be made in compliance with applicable requirements of other Laws set forth in Section 3.5(b)(ii) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule.

Section 3.6 Financial Statements .

(a) The (i) audited consolidated balance sheet of Seller as of August 31, 2012, together with all notes and schedules thereto, and the related audited consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive loss, and cash flows of Seller for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012, together with all notes and schedules thereto, and (ii) unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Seller as of the Balance Sheet Date and the related unaudited consolidated statement of operations of Seller for the year-to-date and fiscal quarter then ended (such audited and unaudited financial statements, including, in the case of such audited financial statements, the related notes and schedules thereto, are collectively referred to herein as the “ Seller Financial Statements ”) are set forth on Section 3.6(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule. Except in the case of the unaudited Seller Financial Statements, normal recurring year-end adjustments (none of which individually or in the aggregate will be material in amount) and the

 

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absence of footnotes, the Seller Financial Statements have been prepared from the books and records of Seller and its Subsidiaries and in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. The statements of operations included in the Seller Financial Statements presents fairly in all material respects the consolidated results of operations (including the Legacy Defense Business) of Seller and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the periods indicated therein and the consolidated balance sheets included in the Seller Financial Statements present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of Seller and its Subsidiaries (including the Legacy Defense Business) as of the dates noted therein, in each case in accordance with GAAP (except in the case of the unaudited Seller Financial Statements, normal recurring year-end adjustments (none of which individually or in the aggregate will be material in amount) and the absence of footnotes).

(b) The (i) unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Sold Companies (excluding the Legacy Defense Business) as of August 31, 2012 and the related unaudited consolidated statement of operations of the Sold Companies (excluding the Legacy Defense Business) for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012 and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Sold Companies (excluding the Legacy Defense Business) as of the Balance Sheet Date and the related unaudited consolidated statement of operations of the Sold Companies (excluding the Legacy Defense Business) for the year-to-date and fiscal quarter then ended (such unaudited financial statements in clauses (i) and (ii), collectively referred to herein as the “ Enterprise Financial Statements ”, and together with the Seller Financial Statements, the “ Financial Statements ”) are set forth on Section 3.6(b) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule. The Enterprise Financial Statements (i) have been prepared from the books and records of the Sold Companies using the same accounting methods, historical policies, practices, principles and procedures with consistent classifications and estimation methodologies as were used in the preparation of the Seller Financial Statements and (ii) present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Sold Companies (excluding the Legacy Defense Business) as of the dates noted therein and for the periods indicated therein (subject to normal recurring year-end adjustments, none of which individually or in the aggregate will be material in any amount).

(c) Since August 26, 2011 (and to Seller’s Knowledge, between January 1, 2010 and August 26, 2011), the books of account and other financial records of Seller and its Subsidiaries have been kept accurately in the ordinary course of business consistent with applicable Laws, the transactions entered therein represent bona fide transactions, and the revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities of Seller and the Sold Companies have been properly recorded therein in each case in all material respects. Seller and its Subsidiaries have established and maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions, receipts and expenditures of Seller and its Subsidiaries are being executed and recorded timely, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary (A) to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and (B) to maintain accountability for assets, (iii) the amount recorded for assets on the books and records of Seller and its Subsidiaries are compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences and (iv) accounts, notes and other receivables and inventory are not recorded materially inaccurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection thereof on a current and timely basis. Since August 31, 2012, there has been no material change in any accounting controls, policies, principles, methods or practices, including

 

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any material change with respect to reserves (whether for bad debts, contingent liabilities or otherwise), of Seller and its Subsidiaries.

(d) Since August 26, 2011, neither Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, any Representative of any of the foregoing, has received or otherwise has obtained knowledge of any written, or to the Knowledge of Seller, oral material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods or internal accounting controls of Seller or any of the Subsidiaries, including any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that any of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in improper accounting or auditing practices.

(e) Section 3.6(e) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule sets forth (i) an aging report of all accounts receivable of Storage AZ and (ii) an aging report of all accounts receivable of Storage Malaysia, in each case (x) excluding the Legacy Defense Business, (y) at the Balance Sheet Date and (z) in the form customarily prepared (excluding the Legacy Defense Business) by Storage AZ or Storage Malaysia, as applicable (the “ Enterprise AR Aging Reports ”). All accounts receivable set forth in the Enterprise AR Aging Reports arose in bona fide sales of goods and services in the ordinary course of business. To Seller’s Knowledge, as of the date hereof, no request or agreement for a material deduction or a material discount has been made with respect to any of the accounts receivable set forth in the Enterprise AR Aging Reports. Each of the Enterprise AR Aging Reports has been prepared from the books and records of Storage AZ or Storage Malaysia, as applicable, reflects the accounts receivables and aging thereof used in the preparation of the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Sold Companies (excluding the Legacy Defense Business) as of the Balance Sheet Date included in the Enterprise Financial Statements.

(f) Any claims or estimated future claims with respect to Product Warranties that were accrued for or reserved against in the balance sheet included in the Seller Financial Statements as of the Balance Sheet Date were accrued for or reserved against in accordance with GAAP.

Section 3.7 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities .

(a) No Sold Companies have any material liabilities of any kind whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, and whether due or to become due) that are required to be reflected on a combined balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, other than liabilities and obligations (i) reflected on, or reserved for in, the Financial Statements, (ii) arising after the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business, (iii) disclosed on Section 3.7(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, (iv) arising after the date of this Agreement in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Closing Agreements and (v) resulting from or pursuant to any Material Contracts or Contracts that are not required to be disclosed on Section 3.17(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule (to the extent the nature of such liabilities can be specifically ascertained by reference to the text of such Contracts, and other than liabilities for breaches thereof by any Sold Company or the counterparties thereto).

(b) No Sold Company is a party to, or has any commitment to become a party to, any off balance sheet partnership or any similar Contract or arrangement (including any

 

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Contract or arrangement relating to any transaction or relationship between or among any of the Sold Companies, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated Affiliate on the other hand), including any “off balance sheet arrangement” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC).

Section 3.8 Taxes . Except as set forth in Section 3.8 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule:

(a) All material Tax Returns required to have been filed by the Sold Companies have been timely filed with the appropriate Taxing Authorities, and each such Tax Return was complete and accurate in all material respects. All material amounts of Taxes due and payable by each of the Sold Companies (whether or not shown on any Tax Returns) have been timely paid. None of the Sold Companies is currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return.

(b) The unpaid Taxes of the Sold Companies did not, as of the Balance Sheet Date, materially exceed the reserve for Tax liability (excluding any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on the face of the balance sheet (rather than in any notes thereto). Since the Balance Sheet Date, none of the Sold Companies has incurred any material liability for Taxes outside the ordinary course of business or otherwise inconsistent with past custom and practice.

(c) No material deficiencies for Taxes with respect to the Sold Companies have been claimed, proposed or assessed by any Tax Authority. There is no audit, examination, investigation or other proceeding ongoing or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened against any of the Sold Companies, in respect of any material Taxes. The Sold Companies have not waived any statute of limitations in respect of material Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a material Tax assessment or deficiency, nor has any request been made in writing for any such extension or waiver. There are no Liens for material Taxes on any of the assets of the Sold Companies other than Permitted Liens.

(d) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material in amount, each of the Sold Companies has withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any third party.

(e) All of the Tax Returns of the Sold Companies delivered or made available to Buyer are complete and accurate copies of the Tax Returns actually filed by the Sold Companies.

(f) None of the Sold Companies is a party to or bound by any Tax allocation or sharing agreement or Tax indemnity agreement, other than customary Tax indemnification provisions in commercial Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business that do not relate primarily to Taxes.

(g) None of the Sold Companies has been a “controlled corporation” or a “distributing corporation” in any distribution occurring during the two year period ending on the date hereof that was purported or intended to be governed by Section 355 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law).

 

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(h) None of the Sold Companies is or has been a member of an affiliated group filing an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary Tax return or has any liability for the Taxes of any other Person under Treasury Regulation § 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), as a transferee or successor.

(i) None of the Sold Companies will be required to include any material items of income, or exclude any material items of deduction, in taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of (i) a change in method of accounting occurring on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) an agreement with any Taxing Authority filed or made on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) an installment sale or open transaction arising in a taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date, (iv) any prepaid amount received, or paid, on or prior to the Closing Date, (v) deferred gains arising prior to the Closing Date or (vi) an election under Section 108(i) of the Code.

(j) None of the Sold Companies is a partner for Tax purposes with respect to any joint venture, partnership, or other arrangement or Contract which is treated as a partnership for Tax purposes. No entity classification election pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3 has been filed with respect to any of the Sold Companies.

(k) None of the Sold Companies has engaged in any reportable transaction described in Treasury Regulation § 1.6011-4(b)(1), or any other transaction requiring disclosure under analogous provisions of state, local or foreign Tax Law. None of the Sold Companies has participated in any Tax amnesty program.

(l) None of the Sold Companies has engaged in a trade or business, had a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable Tax treaty or convention between the United States and such foreign country), or otherwise been subject to Tax jurisdiction in a country other than the country of its formation. No claim has ever been made by a Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction where the Sold Companies do not file Tax Returns that such Sold Company is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction in respect of Taxes that would be covered by or the subject of such Tax Return.

(m) None of the Sold Companies has been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.

(n) None of SMART Storage Systems Sdn. Bhd., SMART Storage Systems (SG), PTE, LTD. or SMART Storage Systems GmbH (i) is or was a “surrogate foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 7874(a)(2)(B) of the Code or is treated as a U.S. corporation under Section 7874(b) of the Code; (ii) was created or organized in the United States such that such entity would be taxable in the United States as a domestic entity pursuant to United States Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-5(a) or (iii) has made an entity classification election pursuant to Section 897(i) of the Code.

(o) The prices and terms for the provision of any property or services by or to the Sold Companies have been arm’s length for purposes of the relevant transfer pricing laws, and all related documentation required by such laws has been timely prepared or obtained and, if

 

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necessary, retained. Storage Malaysia has Beneficial Ownership of all Intangible Property Associated with Enterprise Storage Products (each as defined in the Second A&R Beneficial Transfer Agreement). For purposes of this Section 3.8(n) , the “ Second A&R Beneficial Transfer Agreement ” means that certain Second Amended and Restated Agreement for Technology Transfer of Beneficial Ownership in Intangible Property associated with Enterprise Storage Products, effective as of August 19, 2011, by and among SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation, Storage AZ, SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd, a Malaysian corporation, and Storage Malaysia (as successor-in-interest to SMART Storage Systems, LLC).

(p) None of the Sold Companies owns an interest in real property in any jurisdiction (i) in which a material amount of Tax is imposed, or the value of the interest is materially reassessed, on the transfer of an interest in real property resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) which treats the transfer of an interest (resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) in an entity that owns an interest in real property as a transfer of the interest in real property.

Section 3.9 Compliance with Laws; Orders; Permits; Litigation .

(a) Each of Seller and the Sold Companies is, and has at all times since August 26, 2011 (and to Seller’s Knowledge, between January 1, 2010 and August 26, 2011), been in compliance in all material respects with all Laws, Orders and Permits to which such Seller or Sold Company is subject or by which its properties are bound, and neither Seller nor any of the Sold Companies have received any written, or to the Knowledge of Seller, verbal notice of or been charged or threatened in writing, or to the Knowledge of Seller, verbally with, and, to the Knowledge of Seller, neither Seller nor any of the Sold Companies are, and at no time since August 26, 2011 (and, to the Knowledge of Seller, between January 1, 2010 and August 26, 2011), has been, under investigation with respect to, a material violation of any applicable Law.

(b) Neither Seller nor any of the Sold Companies or, to the Knowledge of Seller, their respective Affiliates, executive officers or directors (i) appears on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List of the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury (“ OFAC ”) or on any other similar list maintained by OFAC pursuant to any authorizing statute, executive order or regulation; (ii) is otherwise a party with whom, or has its principal place of business or the majority of its business operations (measured by revenues) located in a country in which, transactions are prohibited by (A) United States Executive Order 13224, Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions with Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism; (B) the United States Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001; (C) the United States Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917, as amended; (D) the United States International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, as amended or (E) the foreign asset control regulations of the United States Department of the Treasury; (iii) has been convicted of or charged with a felony relating to money laundering; or (iv) to the Knowledge of Seller, is under investigation by any Governmental Entity for money laundering.

(c) Each of the Sold Companies owns, holds, possesses or lawfully uses in the operation of its business, and since August 26, 2011 (and to Seller’s Knowledge, between

 

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January 1, 2010 and August 26, 2011), has owned, held, possessed and lawfully used in the operation of its business, all material Permits that are necessary for it to own or lease its properties and assets and conduct its business as presently conducted, and all such material Permits are in full force and effect and no cancellation or suspension of any such material Permit is pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened, and since August 26, 2011 (and to Seller’s Knowledge, between January 1, 2010 and August 26, 2011), no Sold Company has received any written notice or other written communication regarding any actual or alleged violation of or failure to comply with any term or requirement of any material Permit or any actual or threatened revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation, termination or modification of any material Permit. Section 3.9(c) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule sets forth an accurate and complete list as of the date hereof of all material Permits issued to any Sold Company with respect to the businesses of the Sold Companies. Each such material Permit has been validly issued or obtained and is, and after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be, in all material respects in full force and effect.

(d) None of the Sold Companies nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, their respective directors, officers or employees or any other Person acting for or on behalf of the Sold Companies, has, directly or indirectly, (i) made any bribe, influence payment, kickback, payoff, or any other type of payment that would be unlawful under any applicable Law; (ii) offered, paid, promised to pay, or authorized any payment or transfer of anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any officer, employee or any other Person acting in an official capacity for any Governmental Entity (including any political party or official thereof), or to any candidate for political office (individually and collectively, a “ Government Official ”) for the purpose of (1) improperly influencing any act or decision of such Government Official in his official capacity, (2) improperly inducing such Government Official to do or omit to do any act in relation to his lawful duty, (3) securing any improper advantage, or (4) inducing such Government Official to improperly influence or affect any act or decision of any Governmental Entity, in each case, in order to assist the Sold Companies, or any of their respective directors, officers or employees in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or in directing business to, any Person or (iii) violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any other applicable anti-corruption Law.

(e) There is no pending material Action and, to the Knowledge of Seller, since August 26, 2011, there has been no investigation and no Person has threatened to commence any material Action or investigation, in each case: (i) that involves Seller or any Sold Company or any of the assets owned or used by any Sold Company; or (ii) that challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. There is no material Order imposed upon any of Seller or the Sold Companies, or any of their respective assets or properties, or which restricts in any material respect the ability of any Sold Company to conduct its business. To the Knowledge of Seller, no (x) Business Employee who holds the position of “director, “manager” or above or (y) any engineer is subject to any Order that prohibits such Business Employee from engaging in or continuing any conduct, activity or practice relating to the business of any Sold Company. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 3.9 shall be construed as a representation or warranty with respect to infringement, misappropriation or other violations of the Intellectual Property of any Person.

 

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Section 3.10 Real Property . None of the Sold Companies owns any real property. Section 3.10 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list of all leases and subleases of real property to or by any Sold Company as of the date hereof involving annual payments in excess of $50,000, in each case as amended to date (the “ Real Property Leases ”). Seller has made available to Buyer accurate and complete copies of all Real Property Leases. The Sold Companies that are parties to the Real Property Leases have good and valid title to the leasehold estates demised by the Real Property Leases, free and clear of any Liens, except Permitted Liens. None of the Sold Companies has received any written notice, or, to the Knowledge of Seller, other communication of any material default or event that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a material default by the Sold Companies under any of the Real Property Leases. Each of the Real Property Leases in all material respects is in full force and effect and creates, in favor of the Sold Companies a valid, binding and enforceable leasehold interest in the applicable real property (including all rights, title, privileges and appurtenances pertaining or relating thereto).

Section 3.11 Tangible Personal Properties .

(a) The Sold Companies have good title to, or in the case of leased tangible personal property and assets, good and valid leasehold interests in, all tangible personal property and assets reflected in the balance sheet included in the most recent Financial Statements or all material tangible personal property and assets acquired after the Balance Sheet Date, except for tangible personal property and assets sold since the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business (collectively, the “ Assets ”). None of the Assets is subject to any Lien, except Permitted Liens.

(b) All tangible personal property and assets owned or leased by each Sold Company are free from material defects, are in good operating condition and repair in all material respects and have been maintained in all material respects consistent with standards generally followed in the industry (giving due account to the age and length of use of same, ordinary wear and tear excepted).

Section 3.12 Appropriate Division of Assets; Sufficiency of Assets . Except as set forth in Section 3.12 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule ( provided , that the Intellectual Property Cross-License Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2011, as amended, between certain of the Sold Companies, on the one hand, and certain of the Remaining Entities, on the other hand, that is disclosed on Section 3.12 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to be disclosed solely for purposes of determining the accuracy of the representations made by Seller in this Section 3.12 as of date of this Agreement and not as of the Closing) and excluding (x) assets to be transferred out of the Sold Companies pursuant to the Restructuring, (y) services to be made available to Buyer, the Sold Companies or their respective Affiliates pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement and (z) Intellectual Property to be licensed to Buyer, the Sold Companies or their respective Affiliates pursuant to the A&R IP Cross-License Agreement:

(a) all of the assets, properties and rights (for the avoidance of doubt, including Intellectual Property) owned, leased or licensed by Seller or other Remaining Entities and used in the operation or conduct of the business of the Sold Companies as of the Closing,

 

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whether tangible or intangible (for the avoidance of doubt, including Intellectual Property), will be owned, leased or licensed by the Sold Companies immediately prior to the Closing; and

(b) the assets, properties and rights (for the avoidance of doubt, including Intellectual Property) owned, leased or licensed by the Sold Companies as of the Closing constitute all of the assets, properties and rights necessary for, used in, or held for use in the conduct of the businesses of the Sold Companies as conducted immediately prior to the Closing.

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 3.12 shall be construed as a representation or warranty with respect to infringement, misappropriation or other violations of the Intellectual Property of any Person, which matters shall be exclusively governed by Section 3.13 .

Section 3.13 Intellectual Property .

(a) Section 3.13(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of (i) all Company-Owned Intellectual Property that is Registered IP (except, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to domain names, solely material domain names), including the application and registration date, and the jurisdictions where such Intellectual Property is registered, patented or where applications have been filed, and all registration, patent or application numbers, as appropriate) as of the date hereof, and any other Person that has an ownership interest in such item of Registered IP and the nature of such interest; (ii) a written high-level description of all written invention disclosures included in the material unregistered Company-Owned Intellectual Property as of the date hereof that primarily relate to technology that either (x) enhances the endurance or retention of non-volatile memory or (y) reduces the error rate of non-volatile memory by monitoring and adjusting threshold voltages, and in each case, that is incorporated or used in the Company Products (such technology, the “ Guardian Technology ”); (iii) all material unregistered trademarks, slogans, brand names and other indications of source, whether or not registered, included in the Company-Owned Intellectual Property as of the date hereof that are used to promote the Company Products or otherwise material to the operation of the businesses of the Sold Companies. Since January 1, 2010, no interference, opposition, reissue, reexamination, or other proceeding is or has been pending since August 26, 2011 in which Seller or the Sold Companies have been served or notified in writing, or threatened in writing, that relates to the scope, validity, or enforceability of any Company-Owned Intellectual Property. All such items on Section 3.13(a)(i) and (ii) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule are unexpired, subsisting and, to the Knowledge of Seller, valid and enforceable.

(b) All filings, payments, and other actions required to be made or taken to perfect the Sold Company’s ownership of each item of Registered IP and maintain the registration or application for each such item of Registered IP in full force and effect (other than non-material domain names) have been made by the applicable deadline and in accordance with applicable Law. Except as set forth in Section 3.13(b)(i) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, since August 26, 2011, no application for a patent or for a copyright, mask work, or trademark registration or any other type of Registered IP (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, non-material domain names) included in the Company Owned Intellectual Property has been abandoned, allowed to lapse, or rejected (with finality and no right to appeal). Section 3.13(b)(ii) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of each filing, payment, and action that the Seller or the Sold Companies have been notified in writing or, to the

 

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Knowledge of Seller, verbally must be made or taken on or before December 15, 2013 in order to maintain the application or registration for each such item of Company-Owned Intellectual Property that is Registered IP in full force and effect and to avoid prejudice to or impairment or abandonment of the application or registration for such Registered IP, including any maintenance fees that must be paid and any filings necessary to maintain ownership or other rights in such application or registration for the Registered IP.

(c) The Sold Companies are the exclusive owners of all right, title and interest (including beneficial and legal ownership interests) in and to the Company-Owned Intellectual Property, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens). Except as set forth on Section 3.13(c) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, neither Seller or any Affiliate of Seller other than Storage AZ owns any Intellectual Property incorporated or used in the Guardian Technology. Except as set forth on Section 3.13(c) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, all Persons (including past and current employees of the Sold Companies or their predecessors in interest) who created or invented any material Intellectual Property that was provided to the Sold Companies other than pursuant to a licensing or similar Contract have assigned to the Sold Companies or their predecessors in interest all of their rights in such Intellectual Property that do not vest initially in the Sold Companies or their predecessors in interest by operation of Law. Except as set forth on Section 3.13(c) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, all patents, material inventions, and material software included in the Company-Owned Intellectual Property was created solely by employees of the Sold Companies or their predecessors in interest.

(d) Section 3.13(d) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of all, with respect to Intellectual Property (excluding Intellectual Property licensed under Open Source Licenses) owned by third parties that is incorporated or used in any Company Product that is currently sold, licensed or distributed to third parties, licenses or other agreements pursuant to which the Sold Companies obtain rights to such Intellectual Property.

(e) Section 3.13(e) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of all (i) software code that is incorporated or used in any Company Product that is currently sold, licensed or distributed to third parties (or software code that links with the code of any Company Product in such a manner that the Company Product becomes subject to any Open Source License governing such software code) and that is subject to any type of “open source,” freeware, “copyleft” or similar license (including the GNU Public License, Lesser GNU Public License, Mozilla Public License, Apache Software License, BSD or MIT license, and any similar licenses) (collectively, “ Open Source Licenses ”) and, with respect to each such item of software code, a description of how such software code is incorporated into or used in (including, if applicable, how it links with) the applicable Company Product. Except as expressly stated in Section 3.13(e)(i) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, no Company-Owned Intellectual Property is subject to any Open Source Licenses or any other similar license or obligations that, in each case, require after the distribution of such Company-Owned Intellectual Property, the disclosure, availability, licensing or distribution of any source code for any portion of such Company-Owned Intellectual Property or imposes restrictions on fees that may be charged for such Company-Owned Intellectual Property or the manner in which such Company-Owned Intellectual Property may be licensed to third parties. For the avoidance of doubt, for the purpose of this Section 3.13(e) , “ Company Product ” shall not include internal tools or toolkits

 

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created for customers’ benefit which are not distributed to third parties, but shall include any firmware for all products of the Sold Companies.

(f) No Person other than employees or authorized contractors of the Sold Companies has the right, whether current, contingent or otherwise, to access or possess any source code (other than any source code licensed to end users in Software Developer Kits in the ordinary course of business) owned by the Sold Companies. Neither the Seller nor any of the Sold Companies has disclosed, licensed, made available, delivered or is obligated to deliver to any escrow agent any of the proprietary source code owned by the Sold Companies. No event has occurred, and no circumstance or condition exists, that will, or could reasonably be expected to, result in the obligation to make delivery, license, or disclosure of any proprietary source code owned by the Sold Companies to any Person who is not, as of the date of this Agreement, an employee or authorized contractor of the Sold Companies.

(g) The conduct of the business of the Sold Companies (including the development, manufacture, use, distribution, marketing and sale of the Company Products) has not infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, and does not, as currently conducted by the Sold Companies, infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate Intellectual Property of any Person; provided , that the foregoing representation is made to the Seller’s Knowledge with respect to Intellectual Property owned by a non-practicing entity, patent monetization entity or patent assertion entity (as such terms are commonly understood in the industry). To the Knowledge of Seller, no Company-Owned Intellectual Property is being infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated by any Person in any material respect.

(h) No Actions are pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened against the Seller or the Sold Companies that challenge the rights of the Seller or the Sold Companies in, or the validity or enforceability of, the Company-Owned Intellectual Property (except, for the avoidance of doubt, prosecution of Registered IP before the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any equivalent foreign Governmental Entity), and neither the Seller nor any of the Sold Companies is subject to any Order regarding the Company-Owned Intellectual Property. Neither the Seller nor any of the Sold Companies has since August 26, 2011 (and to Seller’s Knowledge, between January 1, 2010 and August 26, 2011) received any written notice alleging that the Sold Companies have, or the operation of the business of the Sold Companies has, infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated in any material respects the Intellectual Property of any third party or offering to license the Seller or the Sold Companies any patents in connection with the operation of the business of the Sold Companies.

(i) Except as set forth in Section 3.13(i)(i) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule and except for non-exclusive licenses, the Sold Companies are not bound by, and no Company-Owned Intellectual Property is subject to, any Contract containing any covenant or other provision that materially limits or restricts the ability of the Sold Companies to use, assert, enforce, or otherwise exploit anywhere in the world any Company-Owned Intellectual Property (“Restrictive Covenants”). No exclusive licenses or other grants of exclusive rights have been granted to any Person with respect to the Company-Owned Intellectual Property. Except as set forth in Section 3.13(i)(ii) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, no Restrictive Covenants or exclusive licenses apply to any Company-Owned Intellectual Property incorporated or used in any Guardian Technology.

 

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(j) The Sold Companies have taken commercially reasonable steps to protect and maintain (i) their trade secrets and material confidential information and (ii) the security, operation and integrity of their material software and systems, web sites, and networks (and the data stored therein), and since August 26, 2011 (and to Seller’s Knowledge, between January 1, 2010 and August 26, 2011) there have been no material outages, thefts, breaches, or violations of their software and systems, web sites, and networks (and the data stored therein) (other than any that were satisfactorily resolved in compliance with applicable Law without material cost to the Sold Companies).

(k) Neither the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement nor the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will result in, or give any other Person the right or option to cause or declare (i) a loss of any material right with respect to any Company-Owned Intellectual Property; (ii) a breach of, termination of, or acceleration or modification of any right with respect to Company-Owned Intellectual Property under any Material Contract; (iii) the release, disclosure, or delivery of any Company-Owned Intellectual Property by or to any escrow agent or other Person; or (iv) the grant, assignment, or transfer to any other Person of any license or other rights of (x) the Sold Companies in, under or to any Company-Owned Intellectual Property; or (y) the Buyer in, under or to any Intellectual Property of Buyer; except in each of clauses (i)–(iv) above, as contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Closing Agreements.

(l) No funding facilities, resources or personnel (including employees, contractors, consultants, interns or students) of any public or private university, college or other educational or research institution or Government Entity were used by Seller or the Sold Companies to develop or create, in whole or in part, any Company-Owned Intellectual Property, including any Company-Owned Intellectual Property that is a portion of any Company Product. There is no United States, or, to Seller’s Knowledge, non-U.S. governmental prohibition or restriction on the export or import of any of the Company-Owned Intellectual Property from or to any jurisdiction in which the Sold Companies currently conduct business.

(m) Neither Seller nor the Sold Companies are currently as of the date hereof, and since August 26, 2011 have been, a member of or contributor to any industry standards body or similar organization that currently compels or could compel Seller or the Sold Companies to grant or offer to any third party any license or right to, any Company-Owned Intellectual Property.

Section 3.14 Company Products .

(a) Section 3.14(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of each Company Product distributed or otherwise made available by or on behalf of the Sold Companies since August 26, 2011.

(b) No portion of any Company Product or other proprietary software, in each case, owned by the Sold Companies and sold, licensed or distributed to third parties contain any “back door,” “drop dead device,” “time bomb,” “Trojan horse,” “virus,” “worm,” “spyware” or “adware” (as such terms are commonly understood in the software industry) or any other code designed or intended to have, or performing or facilitating, any of the following functions: (i)

 

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disrupting, disabling, harming, or otherwise impeding in any manner the operation of, or providing unauthorized access to, a computer system or network or other device on which such code is stored or installed, or (ii) compromising the privacy or data security of a user or materially damaging or destroying any data or file without the user’s consent (collectively, “ Malicious Code ”). The Sold Companies implement commercially reasonable measures (compliant with industry standards) designed to prevent the introduction of Malicious Code into the Company Owned Intellectual Property incorporated into or used in Company Products and other proprietary software of the Sold Companies.

(c) To the Knowledge of Seller, none of the Company Products sold, licensed or distributed to third parties and currently subject to a Product Warranty of the Sold Companies, after they have passed all applicable customer qualification test(s): (i) contains any bug, defect, or error that materially and adversely affects the use, functionality, or performance of such Company Product or causes a material and adverse effect upon any product or system containing or used in conjunction with such Company Product or (ii) materially fails to comply with any warranty, support or similar obligation applicable to such Company Product with respect to the applicable customer (“ Product Warranties ”).

(d) No columbite-tantalite (coltan), cassiterite, gold, wolframite, or other mineral or any derivatives thereof, in each case, (i) that is used by Seller or the Sold Companies in the production of any Company Product and (ii) the exploitation and trade of which is sourced from a country that is determined by the Secretary of State of the United States to be financing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or a country that shares an internationally recognized border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, originated in any such countries.

Section 3.15 Inventory . As of the date hereof, all of the Inventory of the Sold Companies is in good condition and free of any material defect and is useable or saleable in the ordinary course of business, in each case net of reserves or accruals reflected on, or reserved for in, the Financial Statements. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 3.15 shall be construed as a representation or warranty with respect to the condition or defect of any Company Products, which matters shall be exclusively governed by Section 3.14 .

Section 3.16 Absence of Certain Changes or Events .

(a) Since the Balance Sheet Date through the date hereof, there has not been any change, occurrence or development that has had, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Except (x) as contemplated by this Agreement or (y) as set forth on Section 3.16(b) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, since the Balance Sheet Date through the date hereof, (i) the Sold Companies have conducted their respective businesses in the ordinary course of business and (ii) there has not occurred any action or event that, had such action or event occurred after the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date, would have breached any of the covenants contained in Section 5.1(b) .

Section 3.17 Material Contracts .

 

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(a) Section 3.17(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule lists the following Contracts to which the any of the Sold Companies is a party as of the date of this Agreement, other than this Agreement, the Company Benefit Plans (other than as expressly covered by Section 3.17(a)(xiv) or Section 3.17(a)(xv) below) and the Insurance Policies (collectively, the “ Material Contracts ”):

(i) any Contract containing any right of exclusivity in favor of the other parties thereto (including any Contract requiring the Sold Companies to purchase its total requirements of any product or service from a third party) with respect to any matter related to the business of the Sold Companies or any covenant limiting the ability of the Sold Companies or, upon the Closing, Buyer to engage in any line of business, compete with any Person or in any geographic area;

(ii) each Contract that includes a covenant not to sue or a settlement agreement;

(iii) each Contract that contains “take or pay” provisions;

(iv) each Contract providing for the development of any material technology or other material Company-Owned Intellectual Property, independently or jointly, by or for the Sold Companies;

(v) each Contract requiring any of the Sold Companies to pay to any Person (excluding Business Employees, independent sales representatives and distributors) royalties or commissions in excess of $100,000 for the manufacture, sale or distribution of any Company Product;

(vi) each Contract that creates, governs or controls a partnership, joint venture, the sharing of revenues, profits, losses, costs or liabilities or other similar arrangements with respect to the Sold Companies;

(vii) each Contract that (A) provides for or relates to Indebtedness of the Sold Companies, other than any Indebtedness between or among any of the Sold Companies or (B) provides for or relates to any hedging, derivatives or similar contracts or arrangements;

(viii) each Contract that relates to the acquisition or disposition of any business (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise) entered into after August 26, 2011 (or to Seller’s Knowledge, between January 1, 2010 and August 26, 2011) or pursuant to which any Sold Company has any material current or future rights or obligations;

(ix) each Contract granting a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on any material property or asset of any of the Sold Companies;

(x) each Contract that contains any provisions requiring any Sold Company to indemnify any other party (excluding indemnities (x) contained in Contracts for the purchase, sale or license of products or services in the ordinary course of business

 

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consistent with past practice or (y) that are not otherwise reasonably expected to result in payments by any Sold Company in excess of $100,000 (after giving effect to any insurance coverage, but including the payment of any applicable deductibles thereunder);

(xi) except for non-exclusive license agreements granted to the Sold Companies in the ordinary course of business for generally commercially available computer software available or design tools on standard terms and in object-code form with annual fees of less than $100,000, each Contract pursuant to which any rights have been granted to the Sold Companies with respect to any material Intellectual Property;

(xii) except for sales of Company Products and any other non-exclusive license agreements granted by the Sold Companies in the ordinary course of business, each Contract pursuant to which any Person has been granted any license under or has received or acquired any right to any Company-Owned Intellectual Property;

(xiii) each Contract with a Governmental Entity pursuant to which the Sold Companies received payments of $100,000 or more during Seller’s most recently completed fiscal year;

(xiv) each employment, consulting, severance, retention, bonus or change in control agreement or Contract with any Business Employee or individual consultant of any of the Sold Companies with respect to which any Sold Company is a party that (A) provides annual aggregate annual salary and bonuses that may exceed $200,000; (B) provides for the payment of any cash or other compensation or benefits as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (C) otherwise restricts any Sold Company’s ability to terminate the employment or engagement of such individual without penalty or Liability;

(xv) each collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with any labor union or other employee association or organization; and

(xvi) each other Contract (or series of related Contracts) (other than purchase orders issued pursuant to a Contract governing such purchase orders or Contracts for the purchase or sale of materials entered into in the ordinary course of business) for the purchase or sale of supplies, goods, services, equipment or other assets providing for annual payments by the Sold Companies or to the Sold Companies, respectively, during Seller’s most recently completed fiscal year of $100,000 or more.

(b) (i) Seller has made available to Buyer accurate and complete copies of all Material Contracts, each as amended to date, (ii) each Material Contract is valid and binding on each Sold Company that is a party thereto, as applicable, and to the Knowledge of Seller, each other party thereto, and in all material respects is in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms, (iii) each of the Sold Companies, and, to the Knowledge of Seller, any other party thereto, has performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under each Material Contract, (iv) none of the Sold Companies have received notice of the existence of any event or condition which constitutes, or, after notice or lapse of time or both, will or would reasonably be expected to constitute, a material default on the part of

 

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any of the Sold Companies under any Material Contract, and to the Knowledge of Seller, there are no events or conditions which constitute, or, after notice or lapse of time or both, will or would reasonably be expected to constitute a material default on the part of any counterparty under such Material Contract, and (v) since August 26, 2011 (and to Seller’s Knowledge, between January 1, 2010 and August 26, 2011), none of the Sold Companies have received any written notice, or to the Knowledge of Seller, any other written communication from any Person that such Person intends to terminate any Material Contract.

(c) Section 3.17(c) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule sets forth (i) the top ten (10) customers of the Sold Companies, taken as a whole, by net revenue during the 12-month period ended as at the Balance Sheet Date (the “ Top Customers ”) and (ii) the top five (5) suppliers of the Sold Companies, taken as a whole, by expenditures during the 12-month period ended as at the Balance Sheet Date (the “ Top Suppliers ”). As of the date hereof, (i) none of the Top Customers or the Top Suppliers has canceled or otherwise terminated its relationship with the Sold Companies and (ii) to the Knowledge of Seller, none of the Sold Companies have received written notice or any other communication that any such Top Customer or Top Supplier, as the case may be, intends to terminate or otherwise (x) materially modify its relationship with any of the Sold Companies in a manner adverse to the Sold Companies or (y) materially change its purchases from or sales to the Sold Companies (other than in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise contemplated by the Contracts with such Persons made available to Buyer prior to the date of this Agreement) in a manner adverse to any of the Sold Companies.

Section 3.18 Employee Benefits .

(a) Section 3.18(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule sets forth (i) each Seller Benefit Plan and (ii) each Company Benefit Plan. Neither Seller nor any of the Sold Companies has made any commitment to create any additional Seller Benefit Plan or Company Benefit Plan or modify or change any existing Seller Benefit Plan or Company Benefit Plan.

(b) Except as set forth on Section 3.18(b) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, no Seller Benefit Plan or Company Benefit Plan is, and none of the Sold Companies sponsor maintain, contribute to, have an obligation to contribute to, or have had within the last six years any liability with respect to (i) an employee benefit plan subject to ERISA, or (ii) a plan subject to Section 401(a) of the Code.

(c) No Seller Benefit Plan or Company Benefit Plan is, and neither the Sold Companies nor any of their ERISA Affiliates maintains, contributes or has any liability, whether contingent or otherwise, with respect to, or has within the preceding six (6) years maintained, contributed or had any liability, whether contingent or otherwise, with respect to any (i) “pension plan” subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, (ii) “multiple employer plan” within the meaning of Sections 4063 or 4064 of ERISA, (iii) “multiemployer plan,” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, or (iv) “multiple employer welfare arrangement” within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA.

(d) Each Company Benefit Plan and, solely as it relates to Business Employees, each Seller Benefit Plan has been established and administered in all material

 

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respects in accordance with its terms and in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and all other applicable Laws. All payments, benefits, contributions (including all employer contributions and employee salary reduction contributions) and premiums related to each Company Benefit Plan and, solely as it relates to Business Employees, each Seller Benefit Plan, including all wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, benefits and other compensation due to or on behalf of any Business Employees or individual service providers, have been timely paid or made in full or, to the extent not yet due, properly accrued on the Financial Statements in accordance with the terms of the Seller Benefit Plan or Company Benefit Plan and all applicable Laws. There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened claims against, by or on behalf of any Company Benefit Plan or, solely as it relates to Business Employees, any Seller Benefit Plan or the assets, fiduciaries or administrators thereof (other than routine claims for benefits). Neither Seller nor any of the Sold Companies have engaged in any breach of fiduciary duty or other failure to act or comply, and to the Knowledge of Seller, no other breaches of fiduciary duty or other failures to act or comply have occurred, in any case, relating to the administration or investment of the assets of any Company Benefit Plan or, solely as it relates to Business Employees, any Seller Benefit Plan. With respect to each Company Benefit Plan, (i) no non-exempt prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) has occurred, and (ii) no Lien has been imposed under the Code or ERISA. Neither Seller nor any of the Sold Companies have failed to distribute any required reports or descriptions of Seller Benefit Plans or Company Benefit Plans to any Business Employees (including without limitation any summary annual reports or summary plan descriptions). No excise tax could reasonably be expected to be imposed upon the Sold Companies under Chapter 43 of the Code. No filing has been made in respect of any Company Benefit Plan under the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System or the Department of Labor Delinquent Filer Program.

(e) No Seller Benefit Plan or Company Benefit Plan provides, and the Sold Companies have no obligation to provide or make available, any post-employment or post-service health or welfare benefit for any Business Employee, individual consultant or other individual service provider of the Sold Companies, except as may be required under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, or any similar state Law.

(f) Except as set forth on Section 3.18(f) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (either alone or in combination with another event) (i) result in any payment becoming due, or increase the amount of any compensation or benefits due, to any Business Employee, individual consultant or other individual service provider of the Sold Companies; or (ii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment, delivery or vesting of any compensation, equity award or other benefits payable or deliverable to, or otherwise held by, any Business Employee, individual consultant or other individual service provider of the Sold Companies.

(g) Each of the Sold Companies have properly classified each Person providing services to it as an independent contractor or employee, or leased employee, for all relevant purposes.

 

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(h) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan Seller has made available to Buyer, as applicable, (i) a correct and complete copy thereof (or, to the extent no such copy exists, an accurate description of the material terms thereof), including all amendments through the date hereof, (ii) the most recent annual reports (if required to be filed by applicable Law) for each Company Benefit Plan, including any and all schedules, opinions and attachments thereto prepared in connection with any such reports; (iii) the most recent summary plan description and summary of material modifications (if any) of each Company Benefit Plan; (iv) all trust documents, investment management contracts, custodial agreements, insurance contracts and other funding arrangements relating to any Company Benefit Plan; (v) the most recent financial statement, actuarial report and trustee report for each Company Benefit Plan; and (vi) all material notices and filings concerning IRS or U.S. Department of Labor audits or investigations and “prohibited transactions” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (including Forms 5330). With respect to each Seller Benefit Plan, Seller has made available to Buyer, a correct and complete copy thereof (or, to the extent no such copy exists, an accurate description of the material terms thereof), including all amendments through the date hereof.

(i) The Sold Companies and each of their respective ERISA Affiliates are in compliance in all material respects with (i) the applicable requirements of Section 4980B of the Code and any similar state law, and (ii) the applicable requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended, and the regulations (including the proposed regulations) thereunder. No Seller Benefit Plan or Company Benefit Plan is a voluntary employee benefit association under Section 501(a)(9) of the Code. The obligations of all Company Benefit Plans that provide health, welfare or similar insurance are fully insured by bona fide third-party insurers. No Company Benefit Plan or Seller Benefit Plan is maintained through a human resources and benefits outsourcing entity, professional employer organization, or other similar vendor or provider.

(j) No Company Benefit Plan or, to the Knowledge of Seller, any fiduciary thereof is the subject of an ongoing audit or investigation by the IRS, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. or any other Governmental Entity, nor is any such audit or investigation pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened.

(k) Except as set forth in Section 3.18(k) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, no Company Benefit Plan is maintained outside the jurisdiction of, or subject to the laws of any jurisdiction outside of, the United States (any such Seller Benefit Plan or Company Benefit Plan set forth in Section 3.18(k) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, a “ Foreign Benefit Plan ”). All Foreign Benefit Plans have been established, maintained and administered in compliance in all material respects with their terms and all applicable Laws of any controlling Governmental Entity or instrumentality, and all Foreign Benefit Plans that are intended or required to be book-reserved and/or funded are book reserved and/or funded at the required level based on reasonable actuarial assumptions, and with respect to all other Foreign Benefit Plans, adequate reserves therefore have been established on the accounting statements of the applicable Sold Company.

Section 3.19 Labor and Employment Matters .

 

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(a) Section 3.19(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule contains a true, correct and complete list as of the date of this Agreement of the names and current annual salary rates or current hourly wages (as applicable), bonus opportunity, hire date, accrued vacation and paid-time-off, principal work location, employer and leave status of all Business Employees and each such employee’s status as being exempt or nonexempt from the application of state and federal wage and hour laws applicable to employees who do not occupy a managerial, administrative, or professional position.

(b) Each of the Sold Companies is in material compliance with all applicable Laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, wages, hours of work, employment standards, human rights, pay equity, privacy, workers compensation, workplace safety and insurance, labor relations, occupational safety and health and other labor and employment-related matters. There are no unfair labor practice complaints before the National Labor Relations Board or any other Governmental Entity, grievances, complaints, claims or judicial or administrative proceedings, in any case, which are pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened by or on behalf of any Business Employees, and the Sold Companies have not received any notice that any representation or petition respecting the Business Employees has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board or any other Governmental Entity.

(c) Except as set forth on Section 3.19(c) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, the Sold Companies have not experienced since August 26, 2011 (and to the Knowledge of Seller, between January 1, 2010 and August 26, 2011), and to the Knowledge of Seller, there are no pending or threatened, labor disputes, grievances, work stoppages, requests for representation, pickets, work slow-downs or any actions or arbitrations that involve the labor or employment relations of the Sold Companies or the Business Employees. None of the Sold Companies is (i) a party to, and no Business Employee is covered by, any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract or understanding with a labor union or organization or (ii) obligated to inform or consult any works council with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Sold Companies are not currently engaged in any negotiation with any labor union or organization, and no union, or other employee organization is currently representing or purporting to represent any Business Employees and, to the Knowledge of Seller, there are no organizational efforts by any labor organization or any group of employees with respect to the formation or recognition of a collective bargaining unit presently being made involving Business Employees.

(d) Section 3.19(d) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all individual independent contractors, individual consultants, individual agents or individual agency employees engaged as of the date of this Agreement by the Sold Companies, along with the position, date of retention and rate of remuneration for each such Person.

(e) Except as set forth on Section 3.19(e) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, none of the Sold Companies has effectuated since August 26, 2011 (and to the Knowledge of Seller, between January 1, 2010 and August 26, 2011), nor does any Sold Company currently have plans to effectuate (i) a “plant closing,” as defined in the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the “ WARN Act ”), (ii) a “mass layoff” (as defined in the WARN

 

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Act) or (iii) such other layoff, reduction in force or employment terminations sufficient in number to trigger application of any similar state or local law which would be material.

Section 3.20 Environmental . The Sold Companies are in material compliance with all, and have not violated in any material respects any, material Environmental Laws. The Sold Companies possess and comply in all material respects with all, and have not violated in any material respects any, material Permits required under any material Environmental Law for their respective operations as currently, and none of the Sold Companies has received any written notice, or to the Knowledge of Seller, other communication that any such Permit will be revoked, not re-issued, or materially modified in a manner adverse to the Sold Companies, and to the Knowledge of Seller there is no basis for such written notice or communication. There are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened against or affecting, the Sold Companies (i) alleging any violation of or liability under any Environmental Law, or (ii) arising out of the presence or release of any substance or material listed, classified or regulated by any Governmental Entity as toxic or hazardous, as a pollutant or contaminant, or as any other words having the same or similar meaning (“ Materials of Environmental Concern ”), that, in each case under clauses (i) and (ii), could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the Sold Companies. None of the Sold Companies is subject to or affected by any material Order under any Environmental Law or regarding any release of Materials of Environmental Concern. None of the Sold Companies has released any Materials of Environmental Concern at any property currently or formerly operated by any of them and, to the Knowledge of Seller, no Materials of Environmental Concern are otherwise present at or affecting any property operated by the Sold Companies or any other location (including any facility for the treatment, storage, or disposal of Materials of Environmental Concern), in each case, under such circumstances or under such conditions that could reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Sold Companies pursuant to Environmental Laws or to materially and adversely affect any of them. None of the Sold Companies has assumed or retained, by contract or by operation of Law, any liability under Environmental Laws or regarding any release of Materials of Environmental Concern that, in each case, could reasonably be expected to be material to the Sold Companies. Seller has made available to Buyer all environmental investigations, studies, audits, tests, reviews or other environmental analyses in the possession of Seller and related to the current business of any Sold Company or any property or facility leased by any Sold Company since August 26, 2011. As used herein, “ Environmental Laws ” means any applicable Laws and Orders relating to protection of the environment, or protection of human health and safety as may be affected by exposure to Materials of Environmental Concern.

Section 3.21 Insurance . Section 3.21 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule lists all policies of insurance covering the Sold Companies or any of their respective employees, properties or assets (collectively, the “ Insurance Policies ”), including policies of property, fire, workers’ compensation, products liability, directors’ and officers’ liability and other casualty and liability insurance. All of the Insurance Policies are in all material respects in full force and effect and all premiums due and payable thereon from the Sold Companies have been paid in full, and none of the Sold Companies or, to the Knowledge of Seller, any other party thereto, is in material violation or breach of or default under (or with notice or lapse of time, or both, would be in material violation or breach of or default under) the terms of any Insurance Policies. There is no material claim pending under any of such Insurance Policies as to which coverage has been

 

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questioned, denied or disputed by the underwriters of such Insurance Policies and there has been no threatened termination of any such Insurance Policies.

Section 3.22 Transactions with Related Persons; Affiliates . Except as set forth on Section 3.22 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, none of the Sold Companies have any liabilities, contractual or otherwise, owed to or owing from, directly or indirectly, any of their Affiliates (other than other Sold Companies), other than the Company Benefit Plans.

Section 3.23 Brokers and Other Advisors . No broker, finder, financial advisor, investment banker or other similar Person is entitled to any brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions from any of the Sold Companies in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 3.24 No Other Representations or Warranties . Except for the representations and warranties expressly contained in the foregoing sections of this ARTICLE III , neither Seller nor any other Person on behalf of Seller (including any other member of the Seller Group or any Sold Company) makes any express or implied representation or warranty, and Seller hereby disclaims any such representation or warranty with respect to (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the Closing Agreements, (ii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Closing Agreements, (iii) Seller, the Sold Companies or any of their respective Affiliates, assets or liabilities, (iv) the Legacy Defense Business, (v) other information provided to (or otherwise acquired by) Buyer or any of its Affiliates or Representatives, (iv) any conduct of business or other activities of Seller, the Sold Companies or any of their Affiliates and (vii) the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to (or otherwise acquired by) Buyer or any of its Affiliates or Representatives; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit or limit a claim for actual fraud (subject to any limitations on such claim set forth in ARTICLE VIII ).

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

Except as set forth in the Buyer Disclosure Schedule (subject to Section 9.2 ), Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

Section 4.1 Qualification, Organization . Buyer is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware.

Section 4.2 Authority . Buyer has all requisite company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each of the Closing Agreements to which it is or will be a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by Buyer of this Agreement and each of the Closing Agreement to which it is or will be party, the performance by Buyer of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary company action on the part of Buyer. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and on the Closing Date Buyer will have duly executed and delivered each of the Closing Agreements to

 

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which it will be a party. This Agreement constitutes, and each Closing Agreement to which Buyer will be a party, when so executed and delivered, will constitute, a valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability may be limited by the Bankruptcy Exceptions.

Section 4.3 Noncontravention .

(a) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the Closing Agreements, when so executed and delivered, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, (i) violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Buyer, (ii) assuming compliance with the filing and notice requirements in clauses (i) through (iv) of Section 4.3(b) , violate any Law applicable to Buyer or (iii) result in a breach of, constitute a default under, give rise to any right of modification of any obligations or the loss of any benefit under, result in the termination of or a right of termination or cancellation under, accelerate the performance required by, or otherwise violate any material Contract to which Buyer is a party or (iv) result in the creation of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any properties, rights or assets of Buyer, except, in the case of the immediately preceding clauses (iii) and (iv), to the extent that any such violation would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, an adverse effect on the ability of Buyer, or the timing of the ability of Buyer, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(b) The execution and delivery by Buyer of this Agreement and each of the Closing Agreements to which it is or will be a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not require any Consent of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except for (i) such filings as may be required under the HSR Act, (ii) any filings as may be required under state securities Laws, (iii) the filings to be made in compliance with applicable requirements of other Laws set forth in Section 4.3(b)(iii) of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule and (iv) such other Orders, Permits, filings and notifications which if not obtained or made would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, an adverse effect on the ability of Buyer, or the timing of the ability of Buyer, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.4 Litigation; Orders . There are no Actions pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened against Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries that challenge, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with, the ability of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each Closing Agreement to which it is a party. None of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is subject to any Order that has the effect of preventing, materially delaying, making illegal, or otherwise materially interfering with, the ability of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each Closing Agreement to which it is a party.

Section 4.5 Financial Resources . Buyer has, and will at Closing have, sufficient cash to pay the Estimated Purchase Price and any other amounts payable by Buyer in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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Section 4.6 Brokers and Other Advisors . No broker, finder, financial advisor, investment banker or other similar Person is entitled to any brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions from Buyer in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.7 Purchase for Investment . Buyer is purchasing the Sold Shares for its own account and solely for investment, with no intention to sell, transfer or distribute any Sold Shares to any other Person. Buyer is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”). Buyer acknowledges that it is informed as to the risks of the transactions contemplated hereby and of ownership of the Sold Shares. Buyer acknowledge that none of the Sold Shares are registered under the Securities Act or under any state or foreign securities laws, and Buyer will not sell, transfer or distribute any Sold Shares except in compliance with the registration requirements or exemption provisions under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or any other applicable securities Law.

Section 4.8 Investigation . Buyer has had the opportunity to conduct all such due diligence investigation of the Sold Companies and their respective businesses as it deemed necessary or advisable in connection with entering into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and has conducted to its satisfaction an independent investigation and verification of the current condition and affairs of the Sold Companies and their respective businesses. Buyer acknowledges that (a) it and its Representatives have been given the opportunity to examine to the full extent deemed necessary and desirable by Buyer all records and other information with respect to the Sold Companies and their respective businesses, and (b) Buyer has taken and hereby takes, full responsibility for determining the scope of its investigations of the Sold Companies and their respective businesses to its full satisfaction.

Section 4.9 Projections . In connection with Buyer’s investigation of the Sold Companies, Buyer may have received, or may receive, from Seller and/or its Representatives or Affiliates certain estimates, projections and other forecasts for the Sold Companies, and certain business plans and budget information. Buyer acknowledges that (i) there are uncertainties inherent in attempting to make such estimates, projections, forecasts, plans and budgets, (ii) Buyer is familiar with such uncertainties, (iii) Buyer is taking full responsibility for making its own evaluation of the adequacy and accuracy of all estimates, projections, forecasts, plans and budgets so furnished to it (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such estimates, projections, forecasts, plans and budgets), (iv) Buyer shall have no claim against any Person with respect to such estimates, projections, forecasts, business plans and budget information and (v) Buyer will not assert any claim against Seller or any of its Affiliates or Representatives, or hold Seller or any such Persons liable, with respect to such estimates, projections, forecasts, business plans and budget information. Accordingly, Buyer acknowledges that neither Seller nor any of its Affiliates or Representatives, makes any representation or warranty with respect to such estimates, projections, forecasts, business plans or budget information and that Seller makes only those representations and warranties expressly set forth in ARTICLE III .

Section 4.10 No Other Representations or Warranties . Except for the representations and warranties expressly contained in the foregoing sections of this ARTICLE

 

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IV , neither Buyer nor any other Person on behalf of Buyer makes any express or implied representation or warranty, and Buyer hereby disclaims any such representation or warranty with respect to (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the Closing Agreements, (ii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Closing Agreements, (iii) Buyer or any of its Affiliates, (iv) other information provided to (or otherwise acquired by) Buyer and (v) the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to (or otherwise acquired by) Buyer.

ARTICLE V

COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

Section 5.1 Conduct of Business Prior to the Closing .

(a) Without the consent of Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, except (x) as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, the Closing Agreements or the Restructuring, (y) as disclosed on Section 5.1 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule or (z) as required by Law or Order, during the Pre-Closing Period, Seller shall cause the Sold Companies to conduct their businesses (other than in respect of the Legacy Defense Business, which shall not be subject to this Section 5.1(a) ) in the ordinary course of business and, to the extent consistent therewith, use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain satisfactory relationships with suppliers, customers, and other third parties having material business relationships with the Sold Companies (other than in respect of the Legacy Defense Business, which shall not be subject to this Section 5.1(a) ).

(b) In furtherance of Section 5.1(a) , without the consent of Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, except (x) as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, the Closing Agreements or the Restructuring, (y) as disclosed on Section 5.1 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule or (z) as required by Law or Order, during the Pre-Closing Period, Seller shall cause each Sold Company (other than in respect of any actions relating to the Legacy Defense Business, which shall not be subject to this Section 5.1(b) ) not to (and in the case of Section 5.1(b)(ii)(B) , Seller shall not):

(i) amend its certificate of incorporation or bylaws or comparable organizational documents;

(ii) (A) issue, deliver, sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber any shares of capital stock or other ownership interests, or any options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire or receive any shares of capital stock or other ownership interests, in the Sold Companies, or (B) issue or grant any Seller Options;

(iii) reclassify, combine, split, subdivide, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock or ownership interests;

(iv) (A) incur any obligations or commitments to make any capital expenditures in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate following the Closing, or (B) cease to continue to make capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(v) with respect to Company Products, make any material change in the selling, distribution, advertising, terms of sale or collection practices outside of the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

(vi) after the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution in respect of the capital stock or other ownership interests of any of the Sold Companies or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or grant any rights or enter into any Contracts or commitments to repurchase, redeem or acquire, any outstanding shares of the capital stock or ownership interests of any of the Sold Companies;

(vii) acquire (whether by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) any corporation, partnership or other business organization or division thereof or any assets, other than purchases of inventory and other assets in the ordinary course of business and pursuant to existing Contracts made available to Buyer prior to the date hereof;

(viii) sell, lease, license, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) (A) any corporation, partnership or other business organization or division thereof or (B) any Inventory, equipment, assets, rights or properties (including Intellectual Property) for consideration in excess of $50,000, or abandon or allow to expire any issued patent or material registration or application included in the Company-Owned Intellectual Property, in each case, other than (w) sales or dispositions of Inventory and licenses of products and services, in each case, in the ordinary course of business, (x) pursuant to existing Contracts made available to Buyer prior to the date hereof, (y) non-exclusive licenses of Company-Owned Intellectual Property granted in the ordinary course of business as necessary to make available the Company Products or (z) sales of dispositions of obsolete and worthless assets or scrap;

(ix) sell, lease, license, assign, pledge transfer, abandon, permit any Lien on or otherwise dispose of any Company-Owned Intellectual Property used in or necessary for the operation of the businesses of the Sold Companies, other than (x) non-exclusive licenses of Company-Owned Intellectual Property granted in the ordinary course of business or (y) pursuant to existing Contracts made available to Buyer prior to the date hereof;

(x) modify, amend, terminate or waive any rights under any Material Contract in any material respect or enter into any new Contract that would be a Material Contract if entered into prior to the date of this Agreement;

(xi) acquire or obtain any license to any Intellectual Property or technology other than in the ordinary course of business (including commercially available computer software available or design tools on standard terms and in object-code form) for consideration not to exceed $100,000 in the aggregate;

 

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(xii) permit the loss, expiration or termination of any material license or right to any third party Intellectual Property used in or necessary for the operation of the businesses of the Sold Companies other than in the ordinary course of business;

(xiii) agree to by any exclusivity, non-competition, most favored nation, or similar provision or covenant restricting the Sold Companies from competing in any line of business or with any Person or in any area or engaging in any activity or business (including with respect to the development, manufacture, marketing or distribution of their respective products or services);

(xiv) disclose any material trade secrets or other material proprietary or confidential information of the Sold Companies to any Person not subject to a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement;

(xv) except in the ordinary course of business, make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (other than in a Subsidiary or sister Subsidiary of such Person);

(xvi) except to the extent required under any Company Benefit Plan or Seller Benefit Plan in existence as of the date hereof or as required by applicable Law: (A) hire or terminate (other than for cause) any Business Employee who holds (or, if hired, would hold) the position of “vice president”, “director”, “manager”, “senior engineer”, “executive” or any other individual in a salary grade of 07 or higher or any individual consultant of the Sold Companies, except with respect to individual consultants who perform services for any of the Sold Companies whose aggregate fees are less than $100,000, (B) increase or establish, or commit to increase or establish, the compensation or benefits of any Business Employee or individual consultant of the Sold Companies, (C) establish, adopt, enter into, amend in any material respect or terminate any Seller Benefit Plan or Company Benefit Plan, in each case, affecting any Business Employees, (D) accelerate the vesting or payment of any compensation or benefits under any Seller Benefit Plan or Company Benefit Plan, in each case, with respect to any Business Employees, or (E) grant any cash bonus, incentive, performance or other incentive compensation to any Business Employee;

(xvii) change or make any material Tax election, change any method of accounting with respect to material Taxes, file any material amended Tax Return, enter into any Tax allocation agreement, tax sharing agreement, Tax indemnity agreement, pre-filing agreement, advance pricing agreement, cost sharing agreement or closing agreement relating to material Taxes, surrender any right to claim a material Tax refund or settle or compromise any material federal, state, local or foreign Tax liability, or consent to any extension or waiver of the statute of limitations period applicable to any material Tax claim or assessment;

(xviii) make any changes in financial accounting methods, principles or practices (or change an annual accounting period), except as may be required under GAAP or by applicable Law;

 

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(xix) commence, settle or compromise, or propose to settle or compromise any Action, other than settlements or compromises of Actions for monetary payments as its sole remedy that are paid prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately prior to the Closing Date and that include no other continuing obligations of the Sold Companies (excluding releases of claims);

(xx) adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization;

(xxi) (A) forgive, cancel or compromise any Indebtedness or claim, or (B) waive or release any material right of value;

(xxii) enter into, modify or terminate any labor or collective bargaining agreement; or

(xxiii) agree in writing to take any of the actions described in the foregoing clauses (i) through (xxii).

(c) Buyer acknowledges and agrees that: (i) nothing contained in this Agreement shall give Buyer, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of any of the Sold Companies prior to the Closing Date and (ii) prior to the Closing Date, the Sold Companies shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over their respective operations.

Section 5.2 Access . During the Pre-Closing Period and subject to applicable Law and Section 5.11(b) , Seller shall, and shall cause the Sold Companies to, afford to Buyer and its authorized Representatives, reasonable access during normal business hours and upon prior reasonable written notice to Seller, to the officers, properties, books and records of the Sold Companies as Buyer reasonably requests in connection with its efforts to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided , that such access does not interfere with the normal business operations of Seller or the Sold Companies. In connection with any such access, Buyer and its Representatives shall cooperate with Seller and the Sold Companies and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to minimize any disruption to the business. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Seller and the Sold Companies shall not be required to disclose any information to Buyer if such disclosure would be reasonably likely to jeopardize any attorney-client privilege or conflict with any confidentiality obligations to which Seller or any of the Sold Companies is bound; provided , however , that Seller shall and shall cause the Sold Companies to, take commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a waiver of any such confidentiality obligations upon Buyer’s reasonable prior written request (it being understood that such commercially reasonable efforts shall not require any of Seller or the Sold Companies to pay any consideration to any third party or amend or modify any Contract). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 5.6 , during the Pre-Closing Period, (i) Buyer and its Representatives shall not contact or communicate with the employees, customers, suppliers, independent contractors, landlords, lessors, banks and or other business relations of the Sold Companies in connection with, or relating in any way to, the transactions contemplated hereby, without the prior written consent of Seller (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and (ii)

 

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Buyer shall have no right to perform invasive or subsurface investigations of the properties or facilities of the Sold Companies without the prior written consent of Seller.

Section 5.3 Efforts; Regulatory Approvals .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, each of Seller and Buyer agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to consummate and make effective as promptly as practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(b) Each of Seller and Buyer shall cooperate with one another and use their reasonable best efforts to prepare all necessary documentation (including furnishing all information required under the HSR Act) to effect promptly all necessary filings and to obtain all Consents of Governmental Entities necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of Seller and Buyer shall provide to the other party copies of all correspondence between it (or its advisors) and any Governmental Antitrust Authority or other Governmental Entity relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the matters described in this Section 5.3 . Each of Seller and Buyer shall promptly inform the other party of any oral communication with, and provide copies of written communications with, any Governmental Antitrust Authority or other Governmental Entity regarding any such filings or any such transaction. Neither Seller nor Buyer shall independently participate in any meeting with any Governmental Antitrust Authority or other Governmental Entity in respect of any such filings, investigation, or other inquiry without giving the other party prior notice of the meeting and, to the extent permitted by such Governmental Antitrust Authority or other Governmental Entity, the opportunity to attend and/or participate. To the extent permissible under applicable Law, each of Seller and Buyer will consult and cooperate with one another in connection with any analyses, appearances, presentations, memoranda, briefs, arguments, opinions and proposals made or submitted by or on behalf of any party hereto relating to proceedings under the HSR Act.

(c) Without limiting the generality of the undertakings pursuant to this Section 5.3 , each of Seller and Buyer shall provide or cause to be provided as promptly as practicable to any Governmental Antitrust Authority all information and documents requested by such Governmental Antitrust Authority or necessary, proper or advisable to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including filing any notification and report form and related material required under the HSR Act as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days after the date hereof, and thereafter to respond promptly to any request for additional information or documentary material that may be made under the HSR Act. Buyer shall request the filings under the HSR Act to be considered for a grant of “early termination,” and make any further filings pursuant thereto that may be necessary, proper, or advisable in connection therewith. Buyer and Seller shall each be responsible one-half of any filing fees under the HSR Act.

(d) If any Action is instituted by any private party challenging this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby as violative of any applicable Competition Law, each of Buyer and Seller, at the sole cost and expense of Buyer, use its reasonable best efforts to oppose or defend against such Action to prevent or enjoin consummation of this Agreement (and the transactions contemplated herein).

 

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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Buyer and Seller agree and acknowledge that neither this Section 5.3 nor the “reasonable best efforts” standard shall require, or be construed to require Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, in order to obtain any required approval from any Governmental Entity or any third party to (i) propose, negotiate, commit to and effect, by consent decree, hold separate order or otherwise, the sale, divestiture or disposition of businesses, product lines or assets of Buyer or its Subsidiaries (including the Sold Companies following the Closing), (ii) terminate existing relationships, contractual rights or obligations of Buyer or its Subsidiaries (including the Sold Companies following the Closing), (iii) terminate any venture or other arrangement of the Buyer or its Subsidiaries (including the Sold Companies following the Closing), (iv) otherwise take or commit to take actions that after the Closing Date would limit Buyer’s or its Subsidiaries’ (including the Sold Companies’ following the Closing) freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to retain, one or more of the businesses, product lines or assets of Buyer and its Subsidiaries (including the Sold Companies following the Closing), (v) subject to Section 5.3(d), oppose or defend against any Action to prevent or enjoin the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (vi) defend any Action brought by any Governmental Entity in order to avoid entry of, or to have vacated, overturned or terminated, including by appeal if necessary, in order to resolve any such objections or challenge as such Governmental Entity or private party may have to such transactions under any applicable Competition Law so as to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 5.4 Third Party Consents . Each of Buyer and Seller shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to obtain at the earliest practicable date all Consents required under any Contracts with respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the consents and approvals referred to in Section 3.5(b) (or Section 3.5(b) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule) and Section 4.3(b) (or Section 4.3(b) of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule); provided , however , that neither Seller nor Buyer shall be obligated to pay (or cause to be paid) any consideration to any third party from whom any such consent or approval is requested under any Contract, other than fees and expenses required to be paid in connection with obtaining any such Consent pursuant to the express terms of any such Contract, which shall be paid by Seller at its sole expense; provided , further , that except as set forth in Section 6.2(i) , each of Seller and Buyer acknowledges and agrees that obtaining any such Consents shall not be a condition to Closing.

Section 5.5 Tax Matters .

(a) Seller and Buyer agree to furnish or cause to be furnished to each other, upon request, as promptly as practicable, such information and assistance relating directly to the Sold Companies (including access to books and records, employees, contractors and representatives) as is reasonably necessary for the filing of all Tax Returns, the making of any election related to Taxes, the preparation for any audit by any Taxing Authority, and the prosecution or defense of any Action relating to any Tax Return. Seller and Buyer shall retain, all books and records with respect to Taxes pertaining to the Sold Companies until the expiration of all relevant statutes of limitations (and, to the extent notified by Seller and Buyer, as the case may be, any extensions thereof). At the end of such period, Seller shall provide the Buyer with at least thirty (30) days prior written notice before destroying any such books and records, during which period Buyer can elect to take possession, at its own expense, of such books and records.

 

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(b) Seller shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, all Tax Returns in respect of the Sold Companies for all periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date that are filed after the Closing Date in a manner consistent with the past practices of the Sold Companies to the extent permitted by applicable Law and Buyer shall cause the Sold Companies to file such Tax Returns; provided , that Buyer may draw from the Escrow Account the amount of Taxes shown as due on such Tax Returns of the Sold Companies at least two (2) Business Days before the date such Taxes are due, to the extent such Taxes are not reflected in the calculation of the Final Purchase Price Elements. Seller shall (x) provide Buyer with drafts of any such income Tax Returns for Buyer’s review and comment at least thirty (30) days prior to the filing of such Tax Returns and (y) use commercially reasonable efforts to provide any such non-income Tax Returns for Buyer’s review and comment at least fifteen (15) days prior to the filing of such Tax Returns; provided , further , that Seller shall consider Buyer’s comments in good faith.

(c) Buyer shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, any Tax Returns of the Sold Companies for all Straddle Periods in a manner consistent with the past practices of the Sold Companies to the extent permitted under applicable Law and Buyer may draw from the Escrow Account the amount of such Taxes allocable to the portion of the Straddle Period that is deemed to end on the close of business on the Closing Date at least two (2) Business Days before the date such Taxes are due, to the extent such Taxes are not reflected in the calculation of the Final Purchase Price Elements; provided, that Buyer shall (i) provide Seller with drafts of any such income Tax Returns for Seller’s review and comment at least thirty (30) days prior to the filing of such Tax Returns and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to provide any such non-income Tax Returns for Seller’s review and comment at least fifteen (15) days prior to the filing of such Tax Returns; provided , further , that Buyer shall consider Seller’s comments in good faith. For the purposes of this Section 5.5(c) and Section 8.2(a)(v) , the Tax that relates to the portion of the Straddle Period constituting the Pre-Closing Tax Period shall (i) in the case of Property Taxes, deemed to be the amount of such Taxes for the entire Straddle Period multiplied by a fraction (x) the numerator of which is the number of days in the Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date and (y) the denominator of which is the number of days in the entire Straddle Period, and (ii) in the case of any other Tax, be deemed equal to the amount which would be payable if the relevant Straddle Period ended at the close of business on the Closing Date.

(d) Buyer may, in its sole discretion, make an election under Section 338 of the Code with respect to the Sold Companies other than Storage AZ Buyer shall provide notice to Seller upon making any such election and Seller shall provide such notice to its shareholders pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.338-2(e)(4). Buyer shall not make any Tax election under the Code with respect to Storage AZ that would cause the sale of Storage AZ stock to be treated as an asset sale for Tax purposes, including an election pursuant to Section 338 of the Code.

(e) Any Tax refunds that are received by Buyer, or, after the Closing, the Sold Companies, and any amounts credited against Tax to which Buyer or the Sold Companies become entitled, with respect to Taxes paid by the Sold Companies for a Tax period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Closing Date shall be for the account of Seller, except as noted below. Buyer shall promptly pay over to Seller the amount of any such refund or any such credit, less any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or Taxes actually due as a result of such Tax refund, within five (5) days after the receipt or entitlement thereto, except to the extent such

 

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refund arises as the result of a carryback of a loss or other tax benefit from a Tax period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Closing Date or such refund was reflected in the calculation of the Final Purchase Price Elements. To the extent there is a taxable loss shown on Storage AZ’s U.S. federal income Tax Return for the taxable period ending on the Closing Date, Seller shall prepare, pursuant to the procedures set forth above in Section 5.5(b), a refund claim on IRS Form 1139 (or other applicable IRS Form and, to the extent possible, any corresponding state income Tax form or return) for the carryback of such loss. Upon reasonable request by Seller, and at the expense of Seller, Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Sold Companies to seek refunds and credits described in this Section 5.5(e) . To the extent any Tax refund or credit paid to Seller pursuant to this Section 5.5 or reflected in the calculation of the Final Purchase Price Elements is subsequently disallowed or required to be returned to the applicable Taxing Authority, Seller agrees promptly to repay the amount of such refund, together with any interest, penalties or other additional amounts imposed by such Taxing Authority, to Buyer.

Section 5.6 Employees; Benefit Plans .

(a) No later than five (5) Business Days after the date of this Agreement, Buyer shall deliver to each Business Employee as of the date of this Agreement (other than the Key Employees and other than Business Employees employed outside of the United States whose employment will transfer to Buyer by operation of Law upon the Closing), and no later than five (5) Business Days after each date Seller notifies Buyer in writing of the hiring of any new Business Employee (other than any Business Employee employed outside of the United States whose employment will transfer to Buyer by operation of Law upon the Closing) after the date of this Agreement and prior to the date that is six (6) Business Days prior to the Closing Date (subject to compliance with Section 5.1(b)(xvi) with respect to any such hiring, if applicable) (each, a “ New Business Employee ”), Buyer shall deliver to such Business Employee, in each case an offer of employment in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H (the “ Offer Letter ”), which Offer Letter shall, subject to the last sentence of this Section 5.6(a) , provide for “at-will” employment with Buyer or an Affiliate thereof (including one of the Sold Companies) following the Closing and (i) an initial annual base salary or annual wage level, as applicable, that is not less than the annual base salary or wage level, as applicable, as in effect for each such Business Employee immediately prior to the Closing, (ii) total annual target cash compensation (comprised of an initial annual base salary or annual wage level, as applicable, and, other than with respect to Business Employees participating in a sales incentive program as of immediately prior to the Closing, a bonus opportunity, as applicable) that is not less than the total annual target cash compensation in effect for each such Business Employee immediately prior to the Closing, (iii) defined contribution pension and welfare benefits that are no less favorable, in the aggregate, than those provided to similarly situated employees of Buyer and its Affiliates, and (iv) a place of employment within twenty-five (25) miles of such Business Employee’s place of employment as of immediately prior to the Closing. Each Business Employee (including each Key Employee) who continues in employment with Buyer or an Affiliate thereof (including one of the Sold Companies) after the Closing shall hereinafter be referred to as a “ Continuing Employee ”. Subject to the terms of any Key Employee Offer Letter, with respect to all Continuing Employees, Buyer hereby agrees to maintain, or cause such applicable Affiliate to maintain, the annual base salary or annual wage level, as applicable, annual target bonus or commission opportunity, as applicable, and defined contribution pension and welfare benefits

 

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that are collectively no less favorable in the aggregate than the annual base salary or annual wage level, annual target bonus or commission opportunity, defined pension and welfare benefits provided collectively to similarly situated employees of Buyer and its Affiliates for a period of no less than one (1) year following the Closing; provided , however , that, for Business Employees employed outside of the United States, the terms and conditions of employment shall be as required by applicable Law.

(b) As soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement (and, with respect to any New Business Employee, as soon as reasonably practicable after such New Business Employee’s acceptance of an Offer Letter delivered by Buyer pursuant to Section 5.6(a) ), Buyer shall provide reasonable information to Business Employees regarding Buyer’s (or any of its applicable Affiliates’) employee benefit plans (to the extent such plans will be made available to Business Employees as contemplated by Section 5.6(a) ) and employee orientation sessions with respect to the continued employment of the Business Employees after the Closing with Buyer or its Affiliates (including the Sold Companies) (with such sessions to be held at the offices of the Sold Companies where such Business Employees are currently located during scheduled work hours at times reasonably agreed in writing by Seller and Buyer). During the Pre-Closing Period, (i) Seller shall allow Buyer to meet with Business Employees (either individually or in groups) during breaks, outside of scheduled work hours or as otherwise agreed to by the Seller and Buyer, in any case, as reasonably necessary in connection with the continued employment of the Business Employees after the Closing with Buyer or its Affiliates (including the Sold Companies); provided , that Seller shall have the right to have a representative present during any such contact between Buyer and any Business Employees, and (ii) Buyer shall provide to Seller each material written communication (including all forms of Offer Letters), Buyer or any of its Affiliates intends to deliver to any of the Business Employees regarding his or her continued employment after the Closing at least 48 hours prior to the delivery of such communication to the Business Employee and shall consider in good faith any comments to such communication Seller may provide to Buyer prior to the expiration of such 48-hour period before delivering such communication to the Business Employees. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, Seller shall reasonably cooperate with Buyer to encourage and facilitate each of the Business Employees entry into an Offer Letter as soon as reasonably practicable after the delivery of such Offer Letter to such Business Employee and to not revoke or repudiate such Offer Letter or otherwise cease to be employed by a Sold Company prior to the Closing Date, and neither Seller nor Buyer shall, and each of Seller and Buyer shall cause their Affiliates not to, make any communication to any Business Employee or engage in any other activity, in each case, that is intended to, or that would reasonably be expected to, discourage any Business Employee from promptly executing and delivering the Offer Letter delivered to such Business Employee pursuant to Section 5.6(a) or encourage any Business Employee or Key Employee to revoke or repudiate the Offer Letter or Key Employee Offer Letter, as applicable, of such Business Employee or Key Employee or otherwise cease to be employed by a Sold Company prior to the Closing Date.

(c) Buyer shall, or shall cause its Affiliates to, use reasonable best efforts to recognize each Continuing Employee’s service with Seller, the Sold Companies, or any of their respective Affiliates or predecessors as of the Closing Date as service with Buyer, the Sold Companies or any of their respective Affiliates, as applicable, for all purposes (including eligibility, vesting, eligibility waiting periods and benefit accruals but excluding benefit accruals

 

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under any defined benefit pension plan and any equity incentive plans) in Buyer’s or its Affiliates’ employee benefit plans, agreements, policies or other arrangements in which such Continuing Employees participate following the Closing Date (the “ Buyer Benefit Plans ”) (unless such credit would result in a duplication of benefits for the same period). In addition, (i) to the extent pre-existing condition limitations have been met or are otherwise inapplicable with respect to Continuing Employees under each Company Benefit Plan or Seller Benefit Plan, as applicable, that is an employee welfare benefit plan as of the Closing Date, Buyer shall, or shall cause its Affiliates to, use commercially reasonable efforts to waive any such pre-existing condition limitations under the corresponding Buyer Benefit Plans and (ii) Buyer shall, or shall cause its Affiliates to, use commercially reasonable efforts to recognize (or cause to be recognized) the dollar amount of all expenses incurred by Continuing Employees and their respective spouses, same-sex domestic partners or dependents during the plan year in which the Closing occurs for purposes of satisfying the deductibles and co-payment or out-of-pocket limitations for such plan year under the relevant Buyer Benefit Plans (to the extent such recognition would have been given under comparable Company Benefit Plans or Seller Benefit Plans prior to the Closing).

(d) Buyer shall, or shall cause its respective Affiliates to, credit each Continuing Employee with the accrued and unused vacation days and any personal and sickness days accrued in accordance with the vacation and personnel policies of Seller, the Sold Companies or any of their respective Affiliates in effect as of the Closing.

(e) The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that all provisions contained in this Section 5.5(e) are included for the sole benefit of the parties to this Agreement, and that nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied, shall (i) create any third party beneficiary or other rights (x) in any other Person, including any current or former Business Employees, any participant in any Company Benefit Plan or any Seller Benefit Plan, or any dependent or beneficiary thereof, or any other service provider of Seller or the Sold Companies, or (y) to employment or continued employment with Buyer, the Sold Companies or any of their respective Affiliates, (ii) prevent or restrict in any way the right of Buyer or any of its Affiliates to terminate, reassign, promote or demote any employee, consultant, director, manager or other service provider of the Sold Companies (or to cause any of the foregoing actions) at any time, or to change (or cause the change of) the title, powers, duties, responsibilities, functions, locations, salaries, other compensation or terms or conditions of employment or service of any such service providers at any time, (iii) be treated as an amendment or other modification of any Company Benefit Plan, any Seller Benefit Plan, any Buyer Benefit Plan or any other employee benefit plan, program or arrangement maintained by Buyer or any of its Affiliates, or (iv) obligate Buyer or its Affiliates to adopt or maintain any particular plan or program or other compensatory or benefits arrangement at any time or prevent Buyer or its Affiliates from modifying or terminating any such plan, program or other compensatory or benefits arrangement at any time.

Section 5.7 Treatment of Seller Options Held by Business Employees .

(a) Vested Business Employee Options .

(i) Prior to the Closing Date, Seller shall take, or cause to be taken, all actions necessary to cause each Vested Business Employee Option to be cancelled and

 

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terminated immediately prior to the Closing, and converted into the right of the holder thereof to receive, at the times specified in this Section 5.7(a) , (i) an amount in cash equal to the product of (A) the excess (if any) of (1) the Vested Per Share Portion of the Distributable Closing Date Consideration over (2) the applicable exercise price per Seller Share under such Vested Business Employee Option, multiplied by (B) the number of Seller Shares subject to such Vested Business Employee Option immediately prior to the Closing (the “ Vested Business Employee Option Closing Date Consideration ”), plus (ii) an amount in cash equal to the product (A) the Fully Diluted Per Share Portion of the Legacy Defense Value, multiplied by (B) the number of Seller Shares subject to such Vested Business Employee Option immediately prior to the Closing (the “ Vested Business Employee Option Legacy Defense Consideration ”), plus (iii) an amount in cash equal to the product of (A) the Vested Per Share Portion of the Excess Amount (if any), multiplied by (B) the number of Seller Shares subject to such Vested Business Employee Option immediately prior to the Closing (the “ Vested Business Employee Option Excess Amount Consideration ”), plus (iv) an amount in cash equal to the product of (A) the Vested Per Share Portion of Escrow Release Consideration (if any), multiplied by (B) the number of Seller Shares subject to such Vested Business Employee Option immediately prior to the Closing (the “ Vested Business Employee Option Escrow Release Consideration ” and collectively, (i) through (v), the “ Vested Business Employee Option Payments ”), plus (v) an amount in cash equal to the product of (A) the Vested Per Share Portion of each Holdback Release Amount (if any), multiplied by (B) the number of Seller Shares subject to such Vested Business Employee Option immediately prior to the Closing (the “ Vested Business Employee Option Holdback Release Consideration ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller shall cause each Vested Business Employee Option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Closing and has an exercise price per Seller Share that is equal to or greater than the Vested Per Share Portion of the Distributable Closing Date Consideration will be cancelled and terminated immediately prior to the Closing without consideration therefor.

(ii) As soon as administratively practicable after the Closing Date, Seller shall pay (or caused to be paid to) each former holder of a Vested Business Employee Option (A) the Vested Business Employee Option Closing Consideration and (B) the Vested Business Employee Option Legacy Defense Consideration with respect to each Vested Business Employee Option formerly held by such holder, in each case, subject to all applicable withholdings and without interest.

(iii) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Determination Date and the receipt of any payments required pursuant to Section 2.5(e), Seller shall pay by wire transfer of immediately available funds to Buyer or an Affiliate (including any of the Sold Companies), to an account as directed by Buyer, on behalf of the former holders of Vested Business Employee Options, the aggregate amount of the Vested Business Employee Option Excess Amount Consideration (if any) with respect to all formerly outstanding Vested Business Employee Options, without interest. Buyer shall, or shall cause an Affiliate (including any of the Sold Companies) to, pay each former holder of a Vested Business Employee Option the Vested Business Employee Option Excess Amount Consideration (if any) with respect to such Vested Business Employee Option formerly held by such holder, in each case, subject to all applicable withholdings and

 

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without interest, no later than the next payroll payment date that is no earlier than three (3) Business Days after the date Buyer (or such Affiliate) receives such Vested Business Employee Option Excess Amount Consideration (if any) from Seller pursuant to the preceding sentence.

(iv) As soon as reasonably practicable after the receipt by Seller of any Escrow Release Consideration, Seller shall pay by wire transfer of immediately available funds to Buyer or an Affiliate (including any of the Sold Companies), to an account as directed by Buyer, on behalf of the former holders of Vested Business Employee Options, the aggregate amount of such Vested Business Employee Option Escrow Release Consideration with respect to all formerly outstanding Vested Business Employee Options, without interest. Buyer shall, or shall cause an Affiliate (including any of the Sold Companies) to, pay each former holder of a Vested Business Employee Option any Vested Business Employee Option Escrow Release Consideration with respect to such Vested Business Employee Option formerly held by such holder, in each case, subject to all applicable withholdings and without interest, no later than the next payroll payment date that is no earlier than three (3) Business Days after the date Buyer (or such Affiliate) receives any such Vested Business Employee Option Escrow Release Consideration from Seller pursuant to the preceding sentence.

(v) As soon as reasonably practicable after any Holdback Release Determination Date (or, in the case of the Holdback Release Deadline and where a balance of the Holdback Amount remains, within five (5) Business Days thereof), Seller shall pay or cause to be paid to each former holder of a Vested Business Employee Options any Vested Business Employee Option Holdback Release Consideration with respect to such Vested Business Employee Option formerly held by such holder, in each case, subject to all applicable withholdings and without interest; provided , that Seller shall in all cases make or cause to be made any such payments prior to the Holdback Release Deadline.

(vi) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.7(a) , the amount of any employer payroll Taxes payable in connection with any Vested Business Employee Option Payment paid to any former holder of a Vested Business Employee Option shall be paid (A) by Seller, to the extent that the deduction for the corresponding Vested Business Employee Option Payment is required to be taken on or prior to the Closing Date, and (B) by Buyer, to the extent that the deduction for the corresponding Vested Business Employee Option Payment is required to be taken after the Closing Date.

(b) Assumed Business Employee Options .

(i) Prior to the Closing Date, each of Buyer and Seller shall take, or cause to be taken, all actions reasonably necessary to cause each Assumed Business Employee Option to be assumed by Buyer at the Closing in accordance with this Section 5.7(b)(i) . Subject to the immediately following sentence, each Assumed Business Employee Option shall continue to have, and be subject to, the same terms and conditions as are in effect immediately prior to the Closing (including the vesting schedule and such

 

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other terms and conditions as are set forth in the Seller Option Plan and the applicable stock option agreement with respect to such Assumed Business Employee Option, the forms of which have been previously provided to Buyer), except that such Assumed Business Employee Option thereafter shall be or become in accordance with its terms exercisable for that number of whole Buyer Shares equal to the product (rounded down to the next whole number of Buyer Shares) of (i) the number of Seller Shares that would have been issuable upon exercise of such Assumed Business Employee Option immediately prior to the Closing (assuming, solely for this purpose, that such Assumed Business Employee Option was vested and exercisable immediately prior to the Closing) multiplied by (ii) the Option Exchange Ratio, and the per share exercise price for the Buyer Shares payable upon exercise of such Assumed Business Employee Option shall be equal to the quotient (rounded up to the next whole cent) obtained by dividing (i) the per share exercise price of such Assumed Business Employee Option immediately prior to the Closing by (ii) the Option Exchange Ratio. At the Closing, the Seller Option Plan shall be deemed assumed by Buyer with respect to Assumed Business Employee Options.

(ii) As soon as administratively practicable after the Closing Date, Seller shall pay (or cause to be paid to) each holder of an Assumed Business Employee Option an amount in cash equal to the product (A) the Fully Diluted Per Share Portion of the Legacy Defense Value, multiplied by (B) the number of Seller Shares subject to such Assumed Business Employee Option immediately prior to the Closing, in each case, subject to all applicable withholdings and without interest.

(iii) Buyer will use commercially reasonable efforts to (A) cause the Buyer Shares issuable upon exercise of the Assumed Business Employee Options to be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Form S-8 as soon as reasonably practicable following the Closing (and in any event no later than sixty (60) days following the Closing Date), (B) maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement for so long as such Assumed Business Employee Options remain outstanding, and (C) maintain a sufficient number of reserved Buyer Shares for issuance upon exercise thereof.

(c) Reimbursement of Certain Costs and Expenses . The Seller Group agrees, to reimburse Buyer for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any allocation of Buyer’s overhead costs or the salary or benefits of any employees of Buyer or any of its Affiliates but shall include the costs and expenses of any independent contractors or other third parties engaged by Buyer or any of its Affiliates to the extent such engagement is directly related to administering the distribution of the payments contemplated by this Section 5.7(c) ) incurred by Buyer in connection with administering the distribution of any payments received from Seller pursuant to Section 5.7(a)(iii) or Section 5.7(a)(iii) (including, without limitation, processing tax withholdings and payroll adjustments) to holders of the Vested Business Employee Options; provided , however , that the aggregate reimbursement obligation of the Seller Group pursuant to this Section 5.7(c) shall not exceed $100,000 without the prior written consent of Seller (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

Section 5.8 Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation .

 

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(a) For a period of thirty (30) months following the Closing Date, each member of the Seller Group agrees that it will not, and will cause the other Remaining Entities not to, participate or engage in the manufacture, licensing, distribution or sale of any Enterprise Storage Device. For a period of twenty-four (24) months following the Closing Date, each member of the Seller Group agrees that it will not, and will cause the other Remaining Entities not to, participate or engage in the design of, or to engage or direct any third party to design on behalf of any Remaining Entity, any Enterprise Storage Device. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 5.8(a) shall not (i) prohibit any member of the Seller Group or other Remaining Entity, directly or through any Affiliate, from hereafter (A) investing in or holding not more than 10% of the outstanding capital stock or other ownership interests of any Person or (B) acquiring and continuing to own and operate any Person that participates or engages in the manufacture, licensing, distribution, sale or design of any Enterprise Storage Device if such actions account for no more than 10% of such Person’s revenues for the trailing four quarters measured at the time of such acquisition; and (ii) apply to (A) any products that are manufactured by any of the Remaining Entities or any third parties that are bought and sold or otherwise handled by any of the Remaining Entities as a logistics provider, (B) any products for which any of the Remaining Entities is acting as a contract manufacturer, which products are manufactured based upon specifications, designs and software provided by third parties, (C) any products sold in Brazil that have a Serial ATA interface and the core performance and features of which have been designed by a third party, or (D) products for use in the Legacy Defense Business, the current part numbers of which are listed on Annex II of Exhibit A attached hereto. In the event that any member of the Seller Group or any of the other Remaining Entities shall sell to a Person any portion of their respective businesses (whether by means of acquisition, asset purchase, merger, consolidation, similar business combination or otherwise), the restrictions contained in this Section 5.8(a) shall not prohibit such sale and shall not apply to any such Person or such Person’s Affiliates (other than the Seller Group and the other Remaining Entities); provided , that the Seller Group shall continue to be bound by this Section 5.8(a) following such sale.

(b) For a period of twenty-four (24) months following the Closing Date, each member of the Seller Group agrees that it will not, and will cause the other Remaining Entities not to, directly or indirectly, hire or employ or solicit the employment of, or make or extend any offer of employment to, any Business Employee who is then employed by Buyer or the Sold Companies or their Affiliates, or any Person who is covered by the immediately following sentence. The restrictions of this Section 5.8(b) shall cease to apply to a Business Employee three (3) months after the later of the date of termination of his or her employment with Buyer, any of the Sold Companies or any of their Affiliates, without any solicitation or encouragement by any Remaining Entity or any of its Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 5.8(b) shall restrict or preclude any Remaining Entity or its Affiliates from, directly or indirectly, hiring or employing or soliciting the employment of, or making or extending any offer of employment to, any Business Employee (i) resulting from generalized searches for employees by the use of advertisements in the media (including trade media) or by engaging search firms that are not instructed to solicit the Business Employees or (ii) if such Business Employee approaches any Remaining Entity or any of its Affiliates on an unsolicited basis.

(c) Each of Buyer and the Seller Group mutually agree that this Section 5.8 is reasonable and necessary to protect and preserve Buyer’s and the Seller Group’s legitimate business interests and the value of the business of the Sold Companies, the Sold Shares and the

 

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Seller Group’s other businesses, and to prevent any unfair advantage conferred on any party and their respective successors.

(d) If a final judgment of a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction determines that any term or provision contained in this Section 5.8 is invalid or unenforceable, then each member of the Seller Group and Buyer agree that the court or tribunal will have the power (but without affecting the right of any member of the Seller Group or Buyer to obtain the relief provided for in this Section 5.8 in any jurisdiction other than such court’s or tribunal’s jurisdiction) to reduce the scope, duration or geographic area of the term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision. To the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, each member of the Seller Group and hereby waives on its own behalf and on behalf of its successors, any provision of Law which renders any provision of this Section 5.8 invalid, void or unenforceable in any respect.

(e) Each member of the Seller Group acknowledges and agrees that the remedy of indemnity payments pursuant to ARTICLE VIII and the other remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach of this Section 5.8 would be inadequate, and agrees that without intending to limit any additional available remedies, temporary and permanent injunctive and other equitable relief (including specific performance) may be granted to Buyer without proof of actual damage or inadequacy of legal remedy, and without posting any bond or other undertaking, in any Action which may be brought to enforce this Section 5.8 .

Section 5.9 Termination of Intercompany Arrangements .

(a) On or prior to the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver to Buyer a copy of a payoff letter (subject to Seller’s receipt of the Estimated Purchase Price pursuant Section 2.2(b) ), in customary form, from SMART Worldwide under the Revolving Credit Agreement. On or prior to the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver all notices (which notices may be subject to the consummation of the Closing) and take all other actions to facilitate the termination of all commitments under the Revolving Credit Agreement, the repayment in full of all Obligations (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) then outstanding to SMART Worldwide, the release of any Liens and termination of all guarantees in connection therewith on the Closing Date (such repayment, release and termination, the “ Revolving Credit Agreement Release ”); provided , that in no event shall this Section 5.9 require the Seller or any of the Sold Companies or its other Subsidiaries to cause such Revolving Credit Agreement Release unless the Closing shall occur substantially concurrently and the Seller has received the Estimated Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.2(b) . Upon receipt of the Estimated Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.2(b) , Seller shall repay or cause to be repaid to SMART Worldwide all Obligations outstanding as of the Closing Date.

(b) Excluding (i) the Revolving Credit Agreement (which is addressed in Section 5.9(a) above) and (ii) each of the Closing Agreements (which shall remain in effect following the Closing in accordance with their terms), Seller shall cause (i) all Contracts (other than the Contracts set forth on Section 5.9(b) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule (the “ Existing Shared Services Agreements ”)) between the Sold Companies, on the one hand, and any of the

 

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Remaining Entities, on the other hand, to be terminated at or prior to the Closing, and shall cause any amounts payable thereunder to be paid as required prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date. Seller shall also cause the Existing Shared Services Agreements to be terminated at or prior to the Closing, provided that any outstanding receivables or payables between the Sold Companies, on the one hand, and Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Sold Companies), on the other hand, in each case arising under the Existing Shared Services Agreements (the “ Interdivisional Payables and Receivables ”) shall remain outstanding and shall be paid and satisfied by the party that is the obligor in accordance with the terms thereof (and the termination of the Existing Shared Services Agreements shall not otherwise relieve the obligor of such obligations under such Interdivisional Payables and Receivables); provided , that the termination of any such Contracts, is not intended to, and shall not be deemed to, impair, alter, or change any of the Sold Companies’ or the Remaining Entities’ ownership rights in the assets of their respective businesses.

(c) Buyer agrees to take any and all actions necessary to cause Seller and its Affiliates (other than the Sold Companies) to be absolutely and unconditionally relieved, on or prior to the Closing Date, of all liabilities and obligations arising out of the Westford LC. To the extent Seller and its Affiliates are not absolutely and unconditionally relieved of all such liabilities and obligations on or prior to the Closing Date, Buyer agrees to continue to take any and all actions necessary to absolutely and unconditionally relieve Seller and its Affiliates of all such liabilities and obligations.

Section 5.10 Post-Closing Access to Records and Personnel .

(a) After the Closing for a period of three years, each party agrees to provide, or cause to be provided, to the other party and its Representatives, as soon as reasonably practicable after written request therefor and at the requesting party’s sole expense, reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the other parties’ employees and to any books, records, documents, files and correspondence in the possession or under the control of such party, in each case if and to the extent relating to the Sold Companies prior to the Closing and that the requesting party reasonably needs (i) to comply with reporting, disclosure, filing or other requirements imposed on the requesting party (including under applicable securities Laws) by any Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over the requesting party, including in accordance with the requirements of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act, (ii) for use in any other Action or in order to satisfy Tax, audit, accounting, claims, regulatory, litigation or other similar requirements or (iii) to comply with its obligations under this Agreement and the Closing Agreements; provided , however , that no party shall be required to provide access to or disclose information where such access or disclosure would violate any Law or agreement, or waive any attorney client or other similar privilege, and each party may redact information regarding itself or its Subsidiaries or otherwise not relating to the Sold Companies prior to the Closing, and, in the event such provision of information could reasonably be expected to violate any Law or agreement or waive any attorney client or other similar privilege, the parties shall take all reasonable measures to permit the compliance with such obligations in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, each party agrees to use its reasonable commercial efforts to retain the books, records, documents, instruments, accounts,

 

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correspondence, writings, evidences of title and other papers relating to the Sold Companies prior to the Closing (the “ Books and Records ”) in their respective possession or control for a commercially reasonable period of time, as set forth in their regular document retention policies, following the Closing Date or for such longer period as may be required by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party may destroy or otherwise dispose of any Books and Records not in accordance with its retention policy, provided that, prior to such destruction or disposal (i) such party shall provide no less than 90 nor more than 120 days’ prior written notice to the other party of any such proposed destruction or disposal (which notice shall specify in detail which of the Books and Records is proposed to be so destroyed or disposed of), and (ii) if a recipient of such notice shall request in writing prior to the scheduled date for such destruction or disposal that any of the information proposed to be destroyed or disposed of be delivered to such recipient, such party proposing the destruction or disposal shall, as promptly as practicable, arrange for the delivery of such of the Books and Records as was requested by the recipient (it being understood that all reasonable out of pocket costs associated with the delivery of the requested Books and Records shall be paid by such recipient).

(c) In the case of a legal or other proceeding between one party or any of its Affiliates and a third party relating to the Sold Companies, this Agreement or any of the Closing Agreements (including any matters subject to indemnification hereunder or thereunder) or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, each party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the other party, upon written request, the former (to the extent practicable), current (to the extent practicable) and future officers, employees, other personnel and agents of such party and its Subsidiaries as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available (other than materials covered by the attorney client privilege), to the extent that any such Person (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with any legal, administrative or other proceeding in which the requesting party may from time to time be involved. The requesting party shall bear all out of pocket costs and expenses in connection with the foregoing.

(d) Any information owned by a party that is provided to a requesting party pursuant to this Section 5.10 shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing party. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights of license or otherwise in any such information. No party shall have any liability to any other party in respect of this Section 5.10 in the event that any information exchanged or provided pursuant to this Section 5.10 is found to be inaccurate. No party shall have any liability to any other party if any information is destroyed or lost after reasonable commercial efforts by such party to comply with the provisions of Section 5.10(d) . Nothing in this Section 5.10 shall require any party to violate any agreement with any third parties regarding the confidentiality of confidential and proprietary information; provided , however , that in the event that any party is required under this Section 5.10 to disclose any such information, that party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to seek to obtain such third party’s consent to the disclosure of such information and implement requisite procedures to enable the disclosure of such information.

Section 5.11 Publicity; Confidentiality .

 

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(a) Neither Seller nor Buyer shall issue any press release or public announcement or comment concerning this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without obtaining the prior written approval of the other (which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), unless and only to the extent, in the judgment of such party upon the advice of its counsel, disclosure is required by applicable Law (including the periodic reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”)) or under the rules of any securities exchange on which the securities of such party or any of its Affiliates are listed; provided , that to the extent so required by applicable Law, the applicable party intending to make such release shall use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with applicable Law to consult with the other party in advance of such release with respect to the text thereof.

(b) Buyer acknowledges that the information provided to Buyer in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby is subject to the Nondisclosure Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

(c) Each of Seller and Buyer agrees that this Agreement and the Closing Agreements and the terms and conditions set forth herein and therein shall be kept confidential and shall not be disclosed or otherwise made available to any other Person and that copies of this Agreement and the Closing Agreements shall not be publicly filed or otherwise made available to the public, except (i) where such disclosure, availability or filing, upon the advice of counsel, is required by applicable Law (including the periodic reporting requirements under the Exchange Act) and only to the extent required by such Law or under the rules of any securities on which the securities of such party or any of its Affiliates are listed and (iii) disclosure by Seller of customary information to investors or potential investors in investment funds affiliated with, or advised directly or indirectly by, Silver Lake Group, L.L.C., who have agreed to keep such information confidential. In the event that such disclosure, availability or filing is required by applicable Law (other than any filing required by the Exchange Act or the Securities Act), each of Seller and Buyer agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain “confidential treatment” or similar treatment of this Agreement and the Closing Agreements and to redact such terms of this Agreement and the Closing Agreements that either Seller or Buyer shall reasonably request.

Section 5.12 [Intentionally omitted] .

Section 5.13 Resignation of Directors and Officers . To the extent requested in writing by Buyer no less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Seller shall cause to be delivered to Buyer prior to the Closing Date written resignations of each director and officer of the Sold Companies requested by Buyer, which resignations shall be effective as of the Closing.

Section 5.14 Restructuring . Prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, Seller, the Sold Companies and certain of Seller’s other Subsidiaries shall consummate the Restructuring as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto pursuant to transfer documentation in the forms attached to Annex III of Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

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Section 5.15 No Solicitation . During the Pre-Closing Period, Seller shall not, and shall cause each of the Sold Companies and each of Silver Lake Partners III, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund, L.P. and their respective investment fund Affiliates not to, and shall instruct each of the officers, directors and advisors (including, legal and financial advisors) of Seller and the Sold Companies not to, (i) solicit, initiate, knowingly facilitate, knowingly induce or knowingly encourage any inquiries, announcements or communications relating to, or the making of any submission, proposal or offer that constitutes or that would reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, (ii) enter into, participate in, maintain or continue any discussions or negotiations relating to, any Acquisition Proposal with any Person other than Buyer or any of its Affiliates, (iii) furnish to any Person other than Buyer or any of its Affiliates any non-public information relating to, or in connection with or in consideration of, an Acquisition Proposal, (iv) accept any Acquisition Proposal or enter into any Contract providing for the consummation of any transaction contemplated by any Acquisition Proposal or otherwise relating to any Acquisition Proposal or (v) submit any Acquisition Proposal or any matter related thereto to the vote of the stockholders of Seller or any of the Sold Companies. Seller shall, and shall cause each of the Sold Companies and each of Silver Lake Partners III, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund, L.P. and their respective investment fund Affiliates to, and shall instruct each of the officers, directors and advisors (including, legal and financial advisors) of Seller and the Sold Companies to, cease and cause to be terminated any and all discussions or negotiations with any Persons conducted prior to or on the date of this Agreement with respect to any Acquisition Proposal.

Section 5.16 Notices of Certain Events . During the Pre-Closing Period, each of Seller and Buyer shall promptly notify the other party of:

(a) any written notice or, to the Knowledge of Seller or Buyer (as applicable), other communication received by Seller or Buyer, respectively, from any Person alleging that the Consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(b) any written notice or, to the Knowledge of Seller or Buyer (as applicable), other communication received by Seller or Buyer, respectively, from any Governmental Entity (i) delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) indicating that a Permit is revoked or about to be revoked or that a Permit is required in any jurisdiction in which such Permit has not been obtained, which revocation or failure to obtain has had or would reasonably be expected to have (x) with respect to Seller, a Material Adverse Effect and (y) with respect to Buyer, an adverse effect on the ability of Buyer, or the timing of the ability of Buyer, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(c) with respect to Seller, any Actions commenced or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting any Sold Company, that, if pending on the date of this Agreement, would have been required to have been disclosed pursuant to Section 3.9(e) or that relate to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

(d) with respect to Buyer, any Actions commenced or, to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting Buyer, that, if pending

 

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on the date of this Agreement, would have been required to have been disclosed pursuant to Section 4.4 or that relate to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

No such notice shall be deemed to supplement or amend the Seller Disclosure Schedule or the Buyer Disclosure Schedule for the purpose of (i) determining the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties made by the Seller or Buyer in this Agreement, or (ii) determining whether any of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE VI has been satisfied.

Section 5.17 Preparation for Transition Services . Buyer agrees to reimburse Seller promptly for the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Seller or any of its Affiliates and identified in Section 5.17 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule and, in any event, no later than thirty (30) calendar days after Seller provides a written invoice for such reimbursement together with reasonable supporting detail as to such expenses.

ARTICLE VI

CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

Section 6.1 Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Seller . The obligations of Seller to effect the Closing under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may be waived in writing by Seller in whole or in part to the extent permitted by applicable Law):

(a) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of Buyer set forth in ARTICLE IV (other than those representations and warranties that address matters as of a specific date) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though then made at and as of the Closing Date, and the representations and warranties of Buyer set forth in ARTICLE IV that address matters as of a specific date shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such specific date.

(b) Performance of Obligations of Buyer . Buyer shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements and obligations required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to the Closing Date.

(c) Officer’s Certificate . Buyer shall have delivered to Seller a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and executed by an authorized officer of Buyer, certifying to the fulfillment of the conditions specified in Section 6.1(a) and Section 6.1(b) .

(d) HSR Act . The waiting period or required approval applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under the HSR Act shall have expired (or early termination shall have been granted) or been received.

(e) No Injunctions, Orders or Restraints; Illegality . No Order (whether temporary or permanent) nor any law, rule or regulation of any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall be in effect which would have the effect of (i) making the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement illegal or (ii) otherwise

 

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prohibiting, restraining or enjoining the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 6.2 Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Buyer . The obligations of Buyer to effect the Closing under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may be waived in writing by Buyer in whole or in part to the extent permitted by applicable Law):

(a) Representations and Warranties . (i) The representations and warranties of Seller set forth in ARTICLE III (other than (x) the Seller Fundamental Reps and (y) those other representations and warranties that address matters as of a specific date) (A) that are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications shall be true and correct in all respects as so qualified as of the date of this Agreement (subject to the proviso to this sentence) and (B) that are not qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement (subject to the proviso to this sentence), (ii) the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in ARTICLE III that address matters as of a specific date (other than the Seller Fundamental Reps) (A) that are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications shall be true and correct in all respects as so qualified as of such specific date (subject to the proviso to this sentence) and (B) that are not qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such specific date (subject to the proviso to this sentence), (iii) the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in ARTICLE III (other than (x) the Seller Fundamental Reps and (y) those other representations and warranties that address matters as of a specific date) shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date as though then made at and as of the Closing Date (without giving effect to references to materiality or Material Adverse Effect in such representations and warranties), except where the failure of such representations and warranties referenced in this clause (iii) to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had a Material Adverse Effect and (iv) the Seller Fundamental Reps (A) that are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications shall be true and correct in all respects as so qualified as of the date of this Agreement (subject to the proviso to this sentence) and as of the Closing Date as though made at and as of the Closing Date (except for such Seller Fundamental Reps which address matters only as of a specific date, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects as so qualified as of such specific date (subject to the proviso to this sentence)) and (B) that are not qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement (subject to the proviso to this sentence) and as of the Closing Date as though made at and as of the Closing Date (except for such Seller Fundamental Reps which address matters only as of a specific date, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such specific date (subject to the proviso to this sentence)); provided , however , that (i) if any representation or warranty set forth in ARTICLE III fails to be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement or, with respect to any representation or warranty that addresses matters as of a specific date, as of such specific date, and Seller thereafter cures such inaccuracy, at no cost or detriment to Buyer or the Sold Companies (except to the extent such cost is taken into account in the Final Purchase Price Elements), so that such representation or warranty is true and correct in all material respects as of the date of such cure, then such representation or warranty for purposes of this Section 6.2(a) shall be deemed to have been true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement (or with respect to

 

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any representation or warranty that addresses matters as of a specific date, as of such specific date) and (ii) if, as of the date of this Agreement, Buyer has Knowledge of the breach of any representation or warranty set forth in ARTICLE III (as modified by the Seller Disclosure Schedule), then any failure of such representation or warranty set forth in ARTICLE III (as modified by the Seller Disclosure Schedule) to be true and correct shall, to the extent, and only to the extent, of Buyer’s Knowledge of such breach, not be taken into account in determining whether the condition specified in this Section 6.2(a) has been satisfied.

(b) Performance of Obligations of Seller . Seller shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements and obligations required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to the Closing Date.

(c) Officer’s Certificate . Seller shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and executed by an authorized officer of Seller, certifying to the fulfillment of the conditions specified in Section 6.2(a) and Section 6.2(b) .

(d) HSR Act . The waiting period or required approval applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under the HSR Act shall have expired (or early termination shall have been granted) or been received.

(e) No Injunctions, Orders or Restraints; Illegality . No Order (whether temporary or permanent) nor any law, rule or regulation of any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall be in effect which would have the effect of (i) making the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement illegal or (ii) otherwise permanently prohibiting, restraining or enjoining the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(f) No Material Adverse Effect . Since the date hereof, there has not been any change, occurrence or development that has had, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(g) Restructuring . The Restructuring shall have been consummated pursuant to Section 5.14 .

(h) Employment Matters . (i) At least twelve (12) of the Key Employees have not revoked or repudiated their Key Employee Offer Letters or ceased to be employed by one of the Sold Companies (other than to become employed by the Buyer or one of its Affiliates), and (ii) at least 75% of the Business Employees shall have executed the Offer Letter delivered to them pursuant to Section 5.6(a) and not revoked or repudiated such Offer Letter or ceased to be employed by one of the Sold Companies (other than to become employed by the Buyer or one of its Affiliates); provided , however , that (x) if Buyer shall have failed to comply in all material respects with respect to its obligations pursuant to Section 5.6(a) and Section 5.6(b) as they apply with respect to any specific Business Employee, then such Business Employee shall have been deemed to have executed the Offer Letter delivered to them pursuant to Section 5.6(a) and deemed not to have ceased to be employed by one of the Sold Companies and (y) each Business Employee outside of the United States will be deemed to have executed and not revoked or repudiated an Offer Letter so long as such Business Employee does not cease to be employed by

 

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one of the Sold Companies (other than to become employed by the Buyer or one of its Affiliates).

(i) Consent . The Consent set forth on Section 6.2(i) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule shall have been obtained in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and shall be in full force and effect.

(j) SL Agreement . Buyer shall have received the SL Agreement, executed by each of Silver Lake Management Company III, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ SLMC ”), and Silver Lake Management Company Sumeru, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ SLMCS ”), which shall be in full force and effect as of the Closing.

ARTICLE VII

TERMINATION

Section 7.1 Termination .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement abandoned at any time prior to the Closing as follows:

(i) by mutual written consent of Seller and Buyer;

(ii) by Seller, if there shall have been a breach, following the date hereof, of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Buyer contained in this Agreement such that the conditions set forth in Section 6.1(a) or Section 6.1(b) would not be satisfied and, in either such case, such breach is incapable of being cured by the Termination Date; provided , that Seller shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(a)(ii) if Seller is then in material breach of any of its obligations contained in this Agreement;

(iii) by Buyer, if there shall have been a breach, following the date hereof, of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Seller contained in this Agreement such that the conditions set forth in Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b) would not be satisfied and, in either such case, such breach is incapable of being cured by the Termination Date; provided , that Buyer shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.2(a)(iii) if Buyer is then in material breach of any of its obligations contained in this Agreement;

(iv) by either Seller or Buyer, if any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have issued a permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling which would have the effect of (A) making the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement illegal or (B) otherwise permanently prohibiting, restraining or enjoining the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling shall have become final and nonappealable; provided , that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.2(a)(iv) shall not be available to any party whose breach of any

 

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provision of this Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, such permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling; and

(v) by either Seller or Buyer, if the Closing does not occur on or prior to 5:30 p.m. San Jose, California time on September 30, 2013 (as such date may be extended in accordance with this Section 7.1(a)(v) , the “ Termination Date ”); provided , that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(a)(v) shall not be available to any party (A) whose breach of any provision of this Agreement has been a cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before the Termination Date or (B) in the event the other party has initiated proceedings to specifically enforce this Agreement while such proceedings are still pending; provided , further , that if the conditions set forth in Section 6.1(d) and Section 6.2(d) have not been satisfied or waived on or prior to such date, but all other conditions set forth Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 in have been satisfied or waived (except for those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing), then the Termination Date may be extended by Seller or Buyer (by delivery of written notice to the other party prior to 5:30 p.m. San Jose, California time on the Termination Date) to a date no later than January 31, 2014.

(b) In the event of termination by Seller or Buyer, or both, pursuant to this Section 7.1 , written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other parties and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be terminated, without further action by any party. If the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are terminated as provided herein, Buyer shall return all documents and other material received from Seller relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, whether so obtained before or after the execution hereof, to Seller.

Section 7.2 Effect of Termination . If this Agreement is terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby are abandoned as described in Section 7.1 , this Agreement shall become null and void and of no further force and effect, except for each of Section 5.11 (Confidentiality), Section 5.17 (Preparation for Transition Services), Section 9.3 (Expenses; Transfer Taxes), Section 7.1 (Termination), Section 7.2 (Effect of Termination) and ARTICLE IX (Miscellaneous), each of which, shall survive such termination. Nothing in this Section 7.2 shall be deemed to release any party from any liability for any breach by such party of the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1 Survival . Each representation and warranty contained in ARTICLE III and ARTICLE IV shall survive the Closing and shall terminate on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing Date, except that (a) Seller’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.13 (the “ Seller IP Reps ”) shall survive the Closing and shall terminate on the eighteen (18) month anniversary of the Closing Date and (b) the Seller Fundamental Reps and Buyer Fundamental Reps shall survive the Closing and shall terminate ninety (90) days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. The covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement (i) that are required to be performed in whole prior to the Closing (collectively,

 

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the “ Pre-Closing Covenants ”) shall survive the Closing and shall terminate on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) that require performance after the Closing Date shall survive until the date or dates expressly specified therein or, if not so specified, until performed in accordance with their terms. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in this Section 8.1 , all representations and warranties made by Seller in this Agreement shall survive until the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations in the event of actual fraud by Seller or any of its Representatives.

Section 8.2 Indemnification by Seller .

(a) From and after the Closing, the Seller Group agrees, jointly and severally, to indemnify, defend and hold Buyer, each of its Affiliates (including the Sold Companies after the Closing) and each of their respective Representatives and Affiliates (the “ Buyer Indemnified Persons ”) harmless from and in respect of and shall compensate and reimburse each of the Buyer Indemnified Persons for any and all Losses, other than Losses taken into account in calculating the Final Purchase Price Elements, that they may incur arising out of or resulting from:

(i) any breach of any representations or warranties of Seller set forth in ARTICLE III or Exhibit A hereto as of the date of this Agreement ((x) except in the cases of Section 3.6 , Section 3.16(a) and the definition of “Material Contracts” for purposes of clause (i) of Section 3.17(b) , without giving effect to references to any “Material Adverse Effect” or other materiality qualification contained or incorporated directly or indirectly in such representations and warranties for purposes of determining any such breach or the calculation of Losses that the Buyer Indemnified Persons may incur arising out of or resulting from any such breach, (y) in the cases of Section 3.6 , Section 3.16(a) and the definition of “Material Contracts” for purposes of clause (i) of Section 3.17(b) , without giving effect to references to any “Material Adverse Effect” or other materiality qualification contained or incorporated directly or indirectly in such representations and warranties solely for purposes of determining the calculation of Losses that the Buyer Indemnified Persons may incur arising out of or resulting from any such breach and not for purposes of determining any such breach and (z) in the case of Section 3.13(g) , without giving effect to the reference to “Knowledge of the Seller”); provided , that this Section 8.2(a)(i) shall not apply to any Losses arising out of or resulting from a breach of any Seller IP Rep if such Losses arise out of or result from third party claims or third party counterclaims in connection with, or as a result of, any claims first made against such third parties by Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including, after the Closing, the Sold Companies).

(ii) any breach of any representations or warranties of Seller set forth in ARTICLE III , Exhibit A hereto or the certificate delivered by or on behalf of Seller pursuant to Section 6.2(c) on and as of the Closing Date ((x) except in the cases of Section 3.6 , Section 3.16(a) and the definition of “Material Contracts” for purposes of clause (i) of Section 3.17(b) , without giving effect to references to any “Material Adverse Effect” or other materiality qualification contained or incorporated directly or indirectly in such representations and warranties for purposes of determining any such breach or the calculation of Losses that the Buyer Indemnified Persons may incur arising out of or resulting from any such breach, (y) in the cases of Section 3.6 , Section 3.16(a) and the

 

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definition of “Material Contracts” for purposes of clause (i) of Section 3.17(b) , without giving effect to references to any “Material Adverse Effect” or other materiality qualification contained or incorporated directly or indirectly in such representations and warranties solely for purposes of determining the calculation of Losses that the Buyer Indemnified Persons may incur arising out of or resulting from any such breach and not for purposes of determining any such breach and (z) in the case of Section 3.13(g) , without giving effect to the reference to “Knowledge of the Seller”); provided , that this Section 8.2(a)(ii) shall not apply to any Losses arising out of or resulting from a breach of any Seller IP Rep if such Losses arise out of or result from third party claims or third party counterclaims in connection with, or as a result of, any claims first made against such third parties by Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including, after the Closing, the Sold Companies);

(iii) any failure of Seller to perform any of its covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement or in Exhibit A hereto;

(iv) any Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses to the extent not taken into account in calculating the Estimated Purchase Price or the Final Purchase Price;

(v) (A) any Taxes imposed on the Sold Companies with respect to any Pre-Closing Tax Period, (B) any Taxes for which any of the Sold Companies (or any predecessors of the foregoing) is liable under Section 1.1502-6 of the United States Treasury Regulations (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law) by reason of such entity being included in any consolidated, affiliated, combined or unitary group at any time on or before the Closing Date, (C) any Taxes imposed on or payable by third parties with respect to which any of the Sold Companies has an obligation to indemnify such third party pursuant to a transaction consummated on or prior to the Closing to the extent any of the Sold Companies does in fact so indemnify such third party, and (D) any Taxes imposed on the Sold Companies arising as a result of the Restructuring, (E) any liability for any withholding Tax imposed on any payments to Seller pursuant to this Agreement, and (F) any Taxes of Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Sold Companies);

(vi) the conduct and operation of the Legacy Defense Business before and following the Closing; and

(vii) the conduct and operation of the Remaining Entities before and following the Closing.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, even if any of the Buyer Indemnified Persons would otherwise be entitled to recover a Loss pursuant to this Agreement:

(i) none of the Buyer Indemnified Persons shall be entitled to any indemnification for a Loss pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(i) or Section 8.2(a)(ii) (in each case, other than with respect to breaches of Seller Fundamental Reps (excluding Section 3.12 ))

 

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if, with respect to any individual item of Loss, such item (together with any related series of items of Loss) is less than $75,000 (each, a “ De Minimis Claim ”);

(ii) none of the Buyer Indemnified Persons shall be entitled to any indemnification for a Loss pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(i) or Section 8.2(a)(ii) (in each case, other than with respect to breaches of Seller Fundamental Reps) unless the aggregate of all indemnifiable Losses (excluding all De Minimis Claims) pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(i) and Section 8.2(a)(ii) (in each case, other than with respect to breaches of Seller Fundamental Reps) would exceed on a cumulative basis an amount equal to the product of (A) the Final Purchase Price multiplied by (B) 0.6% (the “ Deductible ”), and then only to the extent such Losses exceed the Deductible;

(iii) the maximum amount of, and the sole and exclusive resource with respect to, indemnifiable Losses that may be recovered by the Buyer Indemnified Persons in the aggregate pursuant to (A)  Section 8.2(a)(i) and Section 8.2(a)(ii) (in each case, other than (x) with respect to breaches of Seller IP Reps or Seller Fundamental Reps or (y) claims for actual fraud) and (B)  Section 8.2(a)(iii) with respect to a breach of a Pre-Closing Covenant (in each case, the “ Escrow Limited Claims ”) shall be the balance of the Escrow Account (if any) at the time of such recovery;

(iv) the maximum amount of indemnifiable Losses that may be recovered by the Buyer Indemnified Persons in the aggregate pursuant Section 8.2(a)(i) and Section 8.2(a)(ii) with respect to breaches of Seller IP Reps (including any amounts recovered from the Escrow Account) shall be an amount equal to the product of (A) the Final Purchase Price multiplied by (B) 20%;

(v) the maximum amount of indemnifiable Losses that may be recovered by the Buyer Indemnified Persons in the aggregate pursuant to this Agreement (including any claim for actual fraud as contemplated by Section 8.11 ) shall be the Final Purchase Price; and

(vi) for purposes of indemnification under Section 8.2(a) , Losses shall not include any reduction in any net operating loss carryover, capital loss carryover, or Tax credit carryover of the Sold Companies with respect to a Pre-Closing Tax Period.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, for the avoidance of doubt:

(i) any payment of indemnifiable Losses a Seller Indemnifying Person is obligated to make to a Buyer Indemnified Person pursuant to this Section 8.2 shall be paid first, to the extent of any funds remaining in the Escrow Account, by release of funds to Buyer (on behalf of the applicable Buyer Indemnified Persons) from the Escrow Account by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement and shall accordingly reduce the Escrow Amount; and

(ii) only with respect to any remaining indemnifiable Losses a Seller Indemnifying Person is obligated to make to a Buyer Indemnified Person pursuant to this Section 8.2 (other than the Escrow Limited Claims), then the Seller Group members shall

 

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be required to pay such additional indemnifiable Losses (subject to the express limitations set forth in this ARTICLE VIII ) due and owing to any such Buyer Indemnified Person by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(d) The representations, warranties, covenants and obligations of Seller, and the rights and remedies that may be exercised by the Buyer Indemnified Persons, shall not be limited or otherwise affected by or as a result of any information furnished to, or any investigation made by or knowledge of, any of the Buyer Indemnified Persons or any of their Representatives.

Section 8.3 Indemnification by Buyer . From and after the Closing, Buyer agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Seller, each of its Affiliates and each of their respective Representatives and Affiliates (the “ Seller Indemnified Persons ”) harmless from and in respect and shall compensate and reimburse each of the Seller Indemnified Persons for any and all Losses that they may incur arising out of or resulting from:

(a) any breach of any representations or warranties of Buyer set forth in ARTICLE IV ;

(b) any failure of Buyer to perform any of its covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement;

(c) Losses with respect to liabilities and obligations arising out of the Westford LC;

(d) the conduct and operation of the businesses of the Sold Companies (excluding the Legacy Defense Business) before and following the Closing;

(e) any severance obligations payable to any Continuing Employee arising after the Closing due to any actions or inactions taken by, or at the direction of, Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including, after the Closing, the Sold Companies), other than any severance obligations that constitute Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses.

Section 8.4 Termination of Indemnification . The obligations to indemnify and hold harmless a party hereto in respect of a breach of representation or warranty, covenant or agreement shall terminate on the applicable survival termination date (as set forth in Section 8.1 ), unless an Indemnified Party shall have incurred a Loss prior to such applicable survival termination date and made a proper claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 , subject to the terms and conditions of this ARTICLE VIII , prior to such survival termination date, as applicable, including by delivering an Officer’s Claim Certificate to the Indemnifying Party in accordance with Section 8.9 . If an Indemnified Party has made a proper claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 and in accordance with Section 8.9 prior to such survival termination date, then such claim for such Loss incurred (and only such claim for such Loss incurred), if then unresolved, shall not be extinguished by the passage of the deadlines set forth in Section 8.1 .

 

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Section 8.5 Notice and Opportunity to Defend . Other than with respect to Tax Claims (which shall be governed by Section 8.6 ), if there occurs an event which a party asserts is an indemnifiable event pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 , the party or parties seeking indemnification (the “ Indemnified Party ”) shall notify the other party or parties obligated to provide indemnification (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) promptly. If such event involves any claim or the commencement of any Action by a third Person (a “ Third Party Claim ”), the Indemnified Party will give such Indemnifying Party prompt written notice of such Third Party Claim. The failure to provide prompt notice as provided herein will relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations hereunder only if, and to the extent that, such failure prejudices the Indemnifying Party hereunder. In the event of any Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party; provided , that the Indemnifying Party may only assume the defense of a Third Party Claim if (a) it acknowledges to the Indemnified Party in writing and without reservation of rights (subject to the limitations in this ARTICLE VIII ) that there exists an indemnification obligation relating to such claim, (b) if such claim is an Escrow Limited Claim, the amount claimed in such claim is less than or equal to the current balance of the Escrow Account, (c) such claim does not primarily seek as a remedy the imposition of an equitable remedy that is binding upon Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including any of the Sold Companies), (d) such claim does not relate to or arise in connection with any criminal claim brought by a Governmental Entity, (e) such claim does not involve a Top Customer or Top Supplier and (f) an adverse resolution of such claim would not reasonably be expected to have material adverse effect on the business or operations of Buyer. After notice from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party of such election to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to participate at its own expense in the defense of such Third Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party hereunder for any legal costs or expenses of other counsel or any other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with such participation. In either case, the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party agree to cooperate fully with each other and their respective counsel in connection with the defense, negotiation or settlement of any such Third Party Claim. In no event may the Indemnifying Party consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to any Third Party Claim (other than a judgment or settlement that (A) is on exclusively monetary terms with such monetary amounts paid by the Indemnifying Party concurrently with the effectiveness of the settlement, (B) does not involve any finding or admission of violation of Law or admission of wrongdoing by the Indemnified Party, and (C) provides a complete and unconditional release of, or dismissal with prejudice of, all claims against any Indemnified Party potentially affected by such Third Party Claim for all matters asserted in connection with such Third Party Claim) without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Whether or not the Indemnifying Party shall have assumed the defense, such Indemnifying Party shall not be obligated to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Party hereunder for any settlement entered into without the Indemnifying Party’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

Section 8.6 Procedures for Tax Claims . If a tax audit or other claim shall be made against Buyer, the Sold Companies or their Affiliates by any Taxing Authority, which, if successful, would result in an indemnity payment by Seller pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(i) or Section 8.2(a)(ii) with respect to a breach of Seller’s representations or warranties in Section 3.8

 

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or pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(v) (a “ Tax Claim ”), Buyer shall promptly notify Seller in writing of such Tax Claim stating the nature and basis of such Tax Claim and the amount thereof, to the extent known by Buyer; provided, however, that any failure on the part of Buyer to so notify Seller shall not limit any indemnification obligations of Seller under ARTICLE VIII (except to the extent such failure materially prejudices the defense of the Tax Claim). If such Tax Claim is with respect to Taxes relating to a Pre-Closing Tax Period (other than any Straddle Periods), Seller shall have the right (but not the obligation) to control, at its own expense, the conduct and resolution of such Tax Claim, provided that Seller shall keep Buyer reasonably informed of all material developments on a timely basis and Buyer shall have the right to participate in such Tax Claim and, at its own expense, employ counsel of its choice for purposes of such participation. Seller shall not compromise or settle such Tax Claim without the Buyer’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If a Tax Claim is not controlled by Seller pursuant to the second sentence of this Section 8.6 , Buyer shall control the conduct and resolution of such Tax Claim, provided that Buyer shall keep Seller reasonably informed of all material developments on a timely basis and Seller shall have the right to participate in such Tax Claim and, at its own expense, employ counsel of its choice for purposes of such participation. Buyer shall not compromise or settle such Tax Claim without the Seller’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

Section 8.7 Other Limitations . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the amount of any Loss subject to indemnification pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII shall be calculated net of (a) any insurance proceeds actually received in cash (net of any applicable deductibles, co-payments, “retro premium” adjustments and similar costs or payments) by the Indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates on account of such Loss, (b) any Tax Benefits inuring to the Indemnified Party on account of such Loss and (c) any indemnification, contribution or other payment actually received in cash (net of any applicable costs of recovery or collection thereof) from any third Person with respect to such Loss. The Indemnified Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to (A) seek full recovery from any third parties and under all insurance policies covering, and all right to indemnification and/or contribution from third Persons in respect of, any Loss and (B) mitigate any actual or potential Loss, in each case to the same extent as it would if such Loss were not subject to indemnification pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII (including, for example, Buyer’s judgment regarding the impact such actions might have on customers and other third parties having material continuing business relationships with the Sold Companies). In the event that an insurance, indemnification, contribution or other recovery is made or a Tax benefit described in this Section 8.7(b) is realized by the Indemnified Party with respect to any Loss for which it has been indemnified pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII , then a refund equal to the aggregate amount of the recovery or benefit shall be paid promptly in immediately available funds to the Indemnifying Party that provided such indemnification to the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnified Party receives a Tax Benefit after an indemnification payment is made to it pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII , the Indemnified Party shall promptly pay to the Indemnifying Party that made such indemnification payment the amount of such Tax Benefit at such time or times as and to the extent that such Tax Benefit is realized by the Indemnified Party. For purposes hereof, “ Tax Benefit ” shall mean, with respect to any applicable Loss, any cash Tax savings or refunds that are received and actually recognized by the Indemnified Party in the tax year of the respective Loss, and any amounts actually credited against cash Taxes payable of the Indemnified Party in the tax year of the respective Loss, in each case determined on a with and without basis (comparing the actual

 

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cash Tax liability of the Indemnified Party for the applicable year against the hypothetical cash Tax liability of the Indemnified Party had such Loss not been incurred); provided, that no Tax Benefit shall be taken into account with respect to a Loss to the extent such Loss (or the receipt of an indemnity payment in respect of such Loss) would result in a reduction of Tax basis in depreciable or amortizable property; provided, further, that in no event shall the Tax Benefit be deemed to exceed the amount of any indemnification payment paid to the Indemnified Party. The Seller Indemnified Persons or the Buyer Indemnified Persons, as the case may be, shall not be entitled to recover more than once for the same Loss. No Seller Indemnified Person shall be entitled to recover any Loss if and to the extent such Loss is reflected in the calculation of Closing Indebtedness, Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses or Closing Net Working Capital.

Section 8.8 Treatment of Indemnification Payments . The parties agree that any indemnification payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated for Tax purposes as an adjustment to the Final Purchase Price, unless otherwise required by applicable Law.

Section 8.9 Procedures for Claims .

(a) If at any time prior to the expiration of the applicable survival period for a representation or warranty in Section 8.1 , an Indemnified Party (or Seller or Buyer, as applicable, on behalf thereof) determines in good faith that it has a bona fide claim for indemnification pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII , such Indemnified Party may deliver to the Indemnifying Party a certificate signed by any officer of the Indemnified Party (any certificate delivered in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.9(a) , an “ Officer’s Claim Certificate ”):

(i) stating that an Indemnified Party has a claim for indemnification pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII ;

(ii) to the extent possible, containing a good faith non-binding, preliminary estimate of the amount to which such Indemnified Party claims to be entitled to receive as a claim for indemnification pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII , which shall be the amount of Losses such Indemnified Party claims to have so incurred or suffered or could reasonably be expected to incur or suffer; and

(iii) specifying in reasonable detail (based upon the information then possessed by the Indemnified Party) the material facts known to the Indemnified Party giving rise to such claim.

No delay in providing such Officer’s Claim Certificate prior to the expiration of the applicable survival period for a representation or warranty in Section 8.1 shall affect an Indemnified Party’s rights hereunder, unless (and then only to the extent that) the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced thereby.

(b) At the time of delivery of any Officer’s Claim Certificate to the Indemnifying Party, a duplicate copy of such Officer’s Claim Certificate shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party.

 

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(c) If the Indemnifying Party in good faith objects to any claim made by an Indemnified Party in any Officer’s Claim Certificate, then the Indemnifying Party shall deliver a written notice (a “ Claim Dispute Notice ”) to the Indemnified Party during the 30-day period commencing upon receipt by the Indemnifying Party of the Officer’s Claim Certificate. A duplicate copy of such Claim Dispute Notice shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent by or on behalf of the Indemnifying Party. The Claim Dispute Notice shall set forth in reasonable detail, if and to the extent that such detail is available based upon the information available to such Indemnifying Party at such time, the principal basis for the dispute of any claim made by the Indemnified Party in the Officer’s Claim Certificate. If the Indemnifying Party does not deliver a Claim Dispute Notice to the Indemnified Party prior to the expiration of such 30-day period, then (i) each claim for indemnification set forth in such Officer’s Claim Certificate shall be deemed to have been conclusively determined in the Indemnified Party’s favor for purposes of this ARTICLE VIII on the terms set forth in the Officer’s Claim Certificate and (ii) if cash remains in the Escrow Account, then the Indemnified Party may direct the Escrow Agent to deliver cash from the Escrow Account to the Indemnified Party in accordance with this Section 8.9(c) .

(d) If the Indemnifying Party delivers a Claim Dispute Notice, then the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall attempt in good faith to resolve any such objections raised by the Indemnifying Party in such Claim Dispute Notice. If the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party agree to a resolution of such objection, then a memorandum setting forth the matters conclusively determined by the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall be prepared and signed by both parties and, if cash remains in the Escrow Account, promptly delivered to the Escrow Agent, together with a Joint Direction (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) from Buyer and Seller pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Escrow Agreement directing the Escrow Agent to distribute cash from the Escrow Account in accordance with the terms of such memorandum.

(e) If no such resolution can be reached during the 45-day period following the Indemnified Party’s receipt of a given Claim Dispute Notice, then upon the expiration of such 45-day period, either the Indemnified Party or the Indemnifying Party may bring suit to resolve the objection in accordance with Section 9.1 and Section 9.13 .

Section 8.10 Procedures for Release of Escrow Account .

(a) On the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing Date, Buyer and Seller shall deliver a Joint Direction to the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Escrow Agreement to release an amount from the Escrow Account to Seller equal to (i) the balance of the Escrow Account (if any) at such date less (ii) the aggregate amount of any outstanding unresolved claims of Buyer Indemnified Persons for indemnification pursuant to Section 8.2 set forth in a Claim Dispute Notice (each such claim, an “ Unresolved Claim ”). The aggregate amount of any Unresolved Claims retained in the Escrow Account in accordance with the preceding sentence is referred to as the “ Retained Escrow Amount ”).

(b) In the event and to the extent that (i) all or any portion of the amount of an Unresolved Claim is resolved against the relevant Buyer Indemnified Persons (such amount, a “ Seller Favorable Outcome ”) and (ii) the aggregate Retained Escrow Amount at such time

 

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exceeds the amount of the aggregate Unresolved Claims after giving effect to such Seller Favorable Outcome (such excess, if any, the “ Retained Escrow Excess ”), Buyer and Seller shall deliver a Joint Direction to the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Escrow Agreement to release an amount from the Escrow Account to Seller equal to such Retained Escrow Excess.

(c) In the event and to the extent that all or any portion of the amount of an Unresolved Claim is resolved in favor of the relevant Buyer Indemnified Persons (such amount, a “ Buyer Favorable Outcome ”), Buyer and Seller shall deliver a Joint Direction to the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Escrow Agreement to release an amount from the Escrow Account to Seller equal to such Buyer Favorable Outcome.

Section 8.11 Exclusive Remedy . Except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 2.5, Section 2.6 and , the indemnification provided in this ARTICLE VIII , subject to the limitations set forth herein, shall be the exclusive post-Closing remedy available to any party in connection with any Losses arising out of or resulting from this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. The foregoing notwithstanding, nothing in this Section 8.11 shall limit or restrict the ability or right of any party hereto (x) to seek injunctive or other equitable relief for any breach or alleged breach of any provision of ARTICLE II , ARTICLE V , ARTICLE VIII or ARTICLE IX or (y) to pursue claims for actual fraud (without duplication for any Losses recovered pursuant to the indemnification provisions of this ARTICLE VIII ); provided , that (i) any procedures in respect of and limitations on Losses or liabilities in this ARTICLE VIII shall in no event be diminished or circumvented by such relief and (ii) any such claim for actual fraud shall be subject to the limitation set forth in Section 8.2(b)(v) . Buyer acknowledges and agrees that the Buyer Indemnified Persons may not avoid any limitation on liability by (A) seeking damages, subject to the foregoing clause (y), for breach of contract, tort or pursuant to any other theory of liability, all of which are hereby waived or (B) asserting or threatening any claim against any Person that is not a party hereto (or a successor to a party hereto) for breaches of the representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement. EACH OF THE BUYER INDEMNIFIED PERSONS EXPRESSLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS AFFORDED BY ANY STATUTE WHICH LIMITS THE EFFECT OF A RELEASE WITH RESPECT TO UNKNOWN CLAIMS. EACH OF THE BUYER INDEMNIFIED PERSONS UNDERSTANDS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS RELEASE OF UNKNOWN CLAIMS AND WAIVER OF STATUTORY PROTECTION AGAINST A RELEASE OF UNKNOWN CLAIMS. EACH OF THE BUYER INDEMNIFIED PERSONS ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS WAIVER IS AN ESSENTIAL AND MATERIAL TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT. The parties hereto agree that the provisions in this Agreement relating to indemnification, and the limits imposed on the Buyer Indemnified Persons’ remedies with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including Section 8.2 and Section 8.3 ) were specifically bargained for between sophisticated parties and were specifically taken into account in the determination of the amounts to be paid to Seller hereunder.

 

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ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1 Governing Law . This Agreement and all Actions (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any Action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws.

Section 9.2 Materiality; Disclosure Schedules . As used in this Agreement, unless the context would require otherwise, the term “material” and the concept of the “material” nature of an effect upon the Sold Companies shall be measured relative to the Sold Companies, taken as a whole. There have been included in the Seller Disclosure Schedule and/or the Buyer Disclosure Schedule and may be included elsewhere in this Agreement items which are not “material” within the meaning of the immediately preceding sentence for informational purposes and in order to avoid any misunderstanding, and such inclusion, or any references to dollar amounts, shall not be deemed to be an agreement or admission by Seller or Buyer that such items are “material” or to further define the meaning of such term for purposes of this Agreement. With respect to the Seller Disclosure Schedule and Buyer Disclosure Schedule hereto, the disclosures made on any Schedule with respect to any representation or warranty shall be deemed to be made with respect to any other representation or warranty to which it relates or to which such matter’s application or relevance is reasonably apparent.

Section 9.3 Expenses; Transfer Taxes .

(a) Whether or not the Closing takes place, and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the Closing Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses.

(b) All Transfer Taxes applicable to the conveyance and transfer from Seller to Buyer of the Sold Shares or the Sold Companies and any other transfer or documentary Taxes in connection therewith shall be borne by Seller.

Section 9.4 Amendments . This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto.

Section 9.5 Waiver . Any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, which may be lawfully waived, may be waived in writing at any time by each party which is entitled to the benefits thereof. Any waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement by any party hereto shall be binding only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by or on behalf of such party making specific reference to this Agreement. No failure to enforce or delay in enforcing any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of such

 

88


provision and no waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy by either party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy by such party.

Section 9.6 Assignment . This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable by any party (including by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto, except that Buyer may transfer or assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement, in whole or from time to time in part, to (i) one or more of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, (ii) to a lender of Buyer as collateral for bona fide indebtedness for money borrowed or (iii) in connection with a merger, consolidation, conversion or sale of assets of Buyer; provided , that such transfer or assignment shall not relieve Buyer of its obligations hereunder or enlarge, alter or change any obligation of any other party hereto or due to Buyer. Any attempted assignment without obtaining any such required consent shall be null and void.

Section 9.7 Notices . Any notice, demand, or communication required or permitted to be given by any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or served for all purposes if (i) personally delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (ii) one (1) Business Day following the day sent by an internationally recognized overnight courier service (with written confirmation of receipt) or (iii) delivered by facsimile (with written confirmation of transmission), in each case, at the following addresses and facsimile numbers (or to such other address or facsimile number as a party may have specified by written notice given to the other parties pursuant to this provision):

If to any of the Seller Group members, to:

c/o SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc.

39870 Eureka Dr.

Newark, CA 94560

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile: (510) 623-1434

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice or constructive notice) to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

2475 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, California 94304

Attn: Chad Skinner

Facsimile: (650) 251-5002

If to Buyer:

SanDisk Corporation

951 SanDisk Drive

Milpitas, CA 95035-7933

 

89


Attn.: Chief Legal Officer

Facsimile: (408) 801-8657

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice or constructive notice) to:

Latham & Watkins LLP

140 Scott Drive

Menlo Park, California 94025

Attn: Anthony J. Richmond

Facsimile: (650) 463-2600

Section 9.8 Complete Agreement . This Agreement (including the Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto), the Nondisclosure Agreement, the Closing Agreements and the other documents and writings referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that to the extent any terms and provisions of this Agreement are in any way inconsistent with or in conflict with any term, condition or provision of any other agreement, document or instrument contemplated hereby, this Agreement shall govern and control.

Section 9.9 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic mail (in portable document format)), all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and each of which shall be deemed an original.

Section 9.10 Headings . The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 9.11 Severability . If any condition, term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, all other conditions, terms or provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties intend that the provisions of ARTICLE VII and ARTICLE VIII , including the remedies (and limitations thereon) and the limitations on representations, warranties and covenants, be construed as integral provisions of this Agreement and that such provisions, remedies and limitations shall not be severable in any manner that diminishes a party’s rights hereunder or increases a party’s liability or obligations hereunder.

 

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Section 9.12 Third Parties . Nothing in this Agreement shall create or be deemed to create any third party beneficiary rights in any Person not a party to this Agreement except (i)  shall be for the benefit of, and enforceable by, the D&O Indemnified Persons, (ii)  ARTICLE VIII shall be for the benefit of, and enforceable by, the Buyer Indemnified Persons and the Seller Indemnified Persons ( provided , that no Indemnified Party may bring a claim for indemnification pursuant to ARTICLE VIII without the prior written consent of Buyer or Seller, as the case may be), (iii)  Section 9.15 shall be for the benefit of, and enforceable by, STB and (iv)  Section 9.17 shall be for the benefit of, and enforceable by, the Nonparty Affiliates of the parties.

Section 9.13 Consent to Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

(a) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) for the purposes of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and agrees that all claims in respect of any such Action shall be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof). Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally and fully waives the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such Action. Each of the parties hereto further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document to such party’s respective address listed above in one of the manners set forth in Section 9.7 hereof shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process in any such Action. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any Person to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives (x) to the fullest extent permitted by Law any objection to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in (A) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) or (B) the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), (y) waives to the fullest extent permitted by Law and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (z) agrees that a final judgment in any such Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law.

(b) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION, PERFORMANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO IN CONNECTION HEREWITH AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT THERETO. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR

 

91


ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.13(B) .

Section 9.14 Fulfillment of Obligations . Any obligation of Seller to Buyer under this Agreement, which obligation is performed, satisfied or fulfilled completely by an Affiliate of Seller, shall be deemed to have been performed, satisfied or fulfilled by Seller.

Section 9.15 Provision Respecting Legal Representation . It is acknowledged by Buyer that each of the Seller Group members, the Sold Companies, Silver Lake Partners III, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund, L.P. and certain of their respective Affiliates have retained STB to act as its counsel in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and that STB has not acted as counsel for any other party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and that none of the other parties has the status of a client of STB for conflict of interest or any other purposes as a result thereof. Each of Seller and Buyer hereby agrees that, in the event that a dispute arises after the Closing between Buyer or any of the Sold Companies, on the one hand, and any of the Seller Group members, on the other hand, STB may represent such Seller Group member in such dispute even though the interests of such Seller Group member may be directly adverse to Buyer or any of the Sold Companies, and even though STB formerly may have represented each of the Seller Group members, the Sold Companies, Silver Lake Partners III, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund, L.P. and certain of their respective Affiliates in a matter substantially related to such dispute; provided , however , that this sentence shall not apply if STB, at the time of such dispute, is handling ongoing matters for Buyer or any of the Sold Companies. Buyer further agrees that, in connection with any future dispute between Buyer, any of the Sold Companies and/or any of their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and any of the Seller Group members, Silver Lake Partners III, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund, L.P. and/or their respective Affiliates, on the other hand, with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as to all communications among STB, the Seller Group members, the Sold Companies, Silver Lake Partners III, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund, L.P. and their respective Affiliates that relate in any way to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the attorney-client privilege and the expectation of client confidence belongs to the applicable Seller Group member, the applicable Sold Company, Silver Lake Partners III, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund, L.P. and/or the applicable Affiliate, as the case may be, and may be controlled by the applicable Seller Group member, the applicable Sold Company, Silver Lake Partners III, L.P., Silver Lake Sumeru Fund, L.P. and/or the applicable Affiliate, as the case may be, and shall not pass to or be claimed by Buyer or any of its Affiliates.

Section 9.16 Enforcement of Agreement . Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other parties would be irreparably damaged if any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms and that any breach of this Agreement by any party could not be adequately compensated in all cases by monetary damages alone. Accordingly, in addition to any other right or remedy to which any party may be entitled at law or in equity, before or after the Closing each of the parties shall be entitled to enforce any

 

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provision of this Agreement by a decree of specific performance and to temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of any of the provisions of this Agreement, without proof of actual damages or inadequacy of legal remedy, and without posting any bond, security or other undertaking. The pursuit of specific enforcement by any party hereto will not be deemed an election of remedies or waiver of the right to pursue any other right or remedy (whether at law or in equity) to which such party may be entitled at any time.

Section 9.17 Non-Recourse . Except to the extent otherwise set forth in the Nondisclosure Agreement, all claims, obligations, liabilities, or causes of action (whether in contract or in tort, in law or in equity, or granted by statute) that may be based upon, in respect of, arise under, out or by reason of, be connected with, or relate in any manner to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution, or performance of this Agreement (including any representation or warranty made in, in connection with, or as an inducement to, this Agreement), may be made only against (and such representations and warranties are those solely of) the Persons that are expressly identified as parties in the preamble to this Agreement (the “ Contracting Parties ”). No Person who is not a Contracting Party, including any current, former or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, manager, stockholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney, representative, or assignee of, and any financial advisor to, or any current, former or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, manager, stockholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney, representative or assignee of, and any financial advisor to, any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Nonparty Affiliates ”), shall have any liability (whether in contract or in tort, in law or in equity, or granted by statute) for any claims, causes of action, obligations, or liabilities arising under, out of, in connection with, or related in any manner to this Agreement or based on, in respect of, or by reason of this Agreement or its negotiation, execution, performance, or breach (other than as set forth in the Nondisclosure Agreement), and, to the maximum extent permitted by Law, each Contracting Party hereby waives and releases all such liabilities, claims, causes of action, and obligations against any such Nonparty Affiliates of another Contracting Party. Without limiting the foregoing, to the maximum extent permitted by Law, except to the extent otherwise set forth in the Nondisclosure Agreement, (a) each Contracting Party hereby waives and releases any and all rights, claims, demands, or causes of action that may otherwise be available at law or in equity, or granted by statute, to avoid or disregard the entity form of a Contracting Party or otherwise impose liability of a Contracting Party on any other Contracting Party’s Nonparty Affiliate in respect of this Agreement, whether granted by statute or based on theories of equity, agency, control, instrumentality, alter ego, domination, sham, single business enterprise, piercing the veil, unfairness, undercapitalization, or otherwise; (b) each Contracting Party disclaims any reliance upon any other Contracting Party’s Nonparty Affiliates with respect to the performance of this Agreement or any representation or warranty made in, in connection with, or as an inducement to this Agreement.

Section 9.18 Construction; Cooperation . The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

 

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Section 9.19 Time is of the Essence . Time is of the essence with respect to the performance of this Agreement.

Section 9.20 Buyer Guaranty .

(a) Buyer hereby absolutely and unconditionally guarantees the timely performance and observance by BuyerSub of all its obligations to be performed or observed, and all of its liabilities, under this Agreement (such obligations, the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”).

(b) This guarantee by Buyer is an absolute, unconditional, continuing and irrevocable guaranty by Buyer of all Guaranteed Obligations now or hereafter existing, is in no way conditioned upon any requirement that any member of the Seller Group first attempt to collect or enforce any of the Guaranteed Obligations from Buyer or upon any other condition or contingency whatsoever and shall remain in full force and effect until all Guaranteed Obligations are indefeasibly performed in full and paid in cash. Buyer hereby waives presentment, protest, notice, dishonor or default, demand for payment and any other notices to which Buyer might otherwise be entitled and any legal or equitable defenses to the enforcement of this guarantee.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, in each case as of the date first above written.

 

SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS (GLOBAL HOLDINGS), INC.
By:  

/s/ Iain MacKenzie

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Director, President and CEO
SANDISK CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Sanjay Mehrotra

  Name: Sanjay Mehrotra
  Title: Director
SANDISK MANUFACTURING
By:  

/s/ Judy Bruner

  Name: Judy Bruner
  Title: Director
SALEEN HOLDINGS, INC., solely for purposes of Section 5.7(c) , Section 5.8 , ARTICLE VIII and ARTICLE IX
By:  

/s/ Iain MacKenzie

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Director

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]


SALEEN INTERMEDIATE, INC., solely for purposes of Section 5.7(c) , Section 5.8 , ARTICLE VIII and ARTICLE IX
By:   /s/ Iain MacKenzie
  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Director
SMART WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS, INC., solely for purposes of Section 5.7(c) , Section 5.8 , ARTICLE VIII and ARTICLE IX
By:   /s/ Iain MacKenzie
  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Director, President

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]


Exhibit A

Restructuring

See attached.


Annex I

Legacy Defense Employees

For the avoidance of doubt, “ Business Employee ” does not include any of the employees of the Legacy Defense Business set forth below:

 

    

Function

  

EE ID #

    

Job Title

1   

Production

     82192     

Sr Planner/Scheduler

2   

Production

     82031     

Test Engineer

3   

Production

     82040     

Test Engineer

4   

Production

     82005     

Production Test Technician III

5   

Production

     82025     

Production Test Technician III

6    R & D      82004     

Director of Engineering, Defense

7    R & D      82012     

Principal Customer Engineer

8    R & D      82020     

Senior Customer Engineer

9    R & D      82014     

Document Control Associate IV

10   

Sales

     82043     

Sr Sales Director

11   

Sales

     82095     

Customer Service Associate II

 


Annex II

Current Part Numbers

 

Product

  

Commodity

  

Material

  

Description

  

Raw/Assembly

      S35FCS-    STD,SCSI68,A25FBS,H3,I,CT,M,FX,S   
DEFENSE       128GICMO01N    ,128G,CC    Assembly
      TX52D10120GC00    F/A,2.5”   
      01    XCL,120GB,SF25,SLC,5V,IND,ROHS    Assembly
   Total         
         OEM,FLASH,4096MB,P2,I,A,CC,1148   
   CF CARD    PCFA-4000IRA4B    1319    Assembly
         OEM,FLASH,4096MB,P2,I,A,CC,1148   
      PCFA-4000IRA5B    1506-3    Assembly
   CF CARD Total         
         STD,SATA,16X2X4G,H2,I,M,FBH16I,   
   CLIENT SATA    A25FB-128GI22N    S,LF    Assembly
         STD,SATA,4X2X2G,H2,I,M,FBH16I,   
      A25FB-16GI20N    S,LF    Assembly
         STD,SATA,8X1X2G,H2,I,M,FBH16I,   
      A25FB-16GI21N    S,LF    Assembly
         STD,SATA,8X2X2G,H2,C,M,FBH05I,   
      A25FB-32GCAD1N    S,LF    Assembly
         STD,SATA,8X2X2G,H2,C,M,FBH16I,   
      A25FB-32GCBS4N    S,CC,LF    Assembly
         STD,SATA,4X2X4G,H2,I,M,FBH16I,   
      A25FB-32GI20N    S,LF    Assembly
         STD,SATA,8X2X2G,H2,I,M,FBH15I,   
      A25FB-32GIAI21N    S,CC,LF    Assembly
         STD,SATA,12X2X2G,H2,C,M,FBH16   
      A25FB-48GC21N    I,S,LF    Assembly
         STD,SATA,12X2X2G,H2,I,M,FBH16I,   
      A25FB-48GI21N    S,LF    Assembly
         STD,SATA,11X4G+2G,H2,I,M,FBH16   
      A25FB-64GI21N    I,S,LF    Assembly
         STD,SATA,12X2X4G,H2,CT,C,M,FB   
      A25FB-96GCBK4N    H16I,S,CC    Assembly
      A25FBS-128GI33N    STD,SATA,4X4X8G,H2,I,M,FX,S,LF    Assembly
      A25FBS-    STD,A25FBS-   
      128GICHO33N    128GICHO33N,H2,I,M,F484,S,CC    Assembly
         STD,A25FBS-   
      A25FBS-256GI34N    256GI34N,H2,I,M,FX,S,256    Assembly
      A25FBS-    STD,A25FBS-   
      256GICHC34N    256GICHC34N,H2,I,M,CT,FV,S,CC    Assembly
      A25FBS-32GI33N    STD,SATA,4X2X4G,H2,I,M,FX,S,LF    Assembly
      A25FBS-64GI33N    STD,SATA,4X4X4G,H2,I,M,FX,S,LF    Assembly
      A25FBS-64GI43N    STD,A25FBS-64G43N,H2,I,M,SFI,S    Assembly
      A25FBX-128GI43N    STD,A25FBX-128G43N,H2,I,M,XFI,S    Assembly
      A25FBX-    STD,SATA,4X4X8G,H2,I,CT,M,FX,S,   
      128GICMO33N    CC    Assembly
      A25FBX-32GI43N    STD,A25FBX-32G43N,H2,I,M,XFI,S    Assembly

 


Product

  

Commodity

  

Material

  

Description

  

Raw/Assembly

      A25FBX-    STD,SATA,4X2X4G,H2,I,CT,M,FX,S,   
      32GIC33N    LF    Assembly
      A25FBX-64GI43N    STD,A25FBX-64G43N,H2,I,M,XFI,S    Assembly
      A25FD-    SSD,SATA,2.5”,128G,NAND   
      128GCFM31N    FLASH,C,GT,CC    Assembly
         SSD,SATA,2.5”,128G,NAND   
      A25FD-128GI32N    FLASH,I,GT    Assembly
         SSD,SATA,2.5”,128G,NAND   
      A25FD-128GIC32N    FLASH,CT,I,GT    Assembly
      A25FD-    SSD,SATA,2.5”,128G,NAND   
      128GIDR32N    FLASH,I,GT,CC    Assembly
         SSD,SATA,2.5”,32G,NAND   
      A25FD-32GI32N    FLASH,I,GT    Assembly
         SSD,SATA,2.5”,64G,NAND   
      A25FD-64GI32N    FLASH,I,GT    Assembly
   CLIENT SATA         
   Total         
         STD,EA8RB,4I2,8U,C,ND,0G,1072271   
   EA8RB    EA8RB-0GCBP1N    P-101    Assembly
         STD,EA8RB,4I2,8U,C,ND,CT,0G,107   
      EA8RB-0GCBP8N    2271P-3    Assembly
         STD,EA8RB,4I2,8U,C,ND,FX,0G,CC,   
      EA8RB-0GCBS1N    LF    Assembly
         STD,EA8RB,4I2,8U,C,ND,CT,FX,0G,   
      EA8RB-0GCBS8N    CC,LF    Assembly
   EA8RB Total         
   IDE    ADARM-01C    OEM,IDE,I2,PO,C,ND,FX,CC    Assembly
      I25FB-12GC10    STD,IDE,12X1G,H2,C,M,FX,S    Assembly
         STD,IDE,4X2X4G,H2,I,M,FBH16I,S,L   
      I25FB-32GI20N    F    Assembly
      I25FB-8GI20N    IDE,4X1X2G,H2,I,M,FBH16I,S,LF    Assembly
      I25FBS-    STD,I25FBS-   
      32GITE36N    32GITE36N,H2,I,M,FV483,S,CC    Assembly
      I25FBS-    STD,I25FBS-   
      64GITE36N    64GITE36N,H2,I,M,FV483,S,CC    Assembly
      I25FBX-    STD,I25FBX-   
      128GCPA43N    128GCPA43N,H2,C,M,V486,S,CC    Assembly
      I25FBX-    STD,I25FBX-   
      128GCPA4AN    128GCPA4AN,H2,C,M,V486,S,CC    Assembly
         STD,IDE,4X2X4G,H2,I,CT,M,FX,S,L   
      I25FBX-32GIC33N    F    Assembly
      I25FBX-    STD,I25FBX-   
      32GITR33N    32GITR33N,H2,I,M,FV440,S,CC    Assembly
   IDE Total         
      ADAC-I25FB2XN-    STD,I25FB-2XN,FW UPDATE KIT,LF    Assembly
   MRO    FW01      
   MRO Total         
      ADAC-A25FB2XN-    STD,A25FB-2XN,FW UPDATE KIT,LF   
   SCSI    FW01       Assembly
      S35FA-16GI20N    STD,SCSI,4X2X2G,H3,I,M,FX,S,LF    Assembly
      S35FA-1GC20N    STD,SCSI,2X1X512,H3,C,M,FX,S,LF    Assembly

 

2


Product

  

Commodity

  

Material

  

Description

  

Raw/Assembly

     

S35FA-2GC20N

  

STD,SCSI,4X1X512,H3,C,M,FX,S,LF

  

Assembly

        

STD,SCSI,4X4X2G,H3,I,CT,M,FX,S,L

  
     

S35FA-32GIC20N

  

F

  

Assembly

     

S35FCS-

  

STD,SCSI68,A25FBS,H3,I,CT,M,FX,S

  
     

128GICMO01N

  

,128G,CC

  

Assembly

     

S35FCU-

  

STD,SCSI68,ULTRA2,H3,I,M,FX,S,32

  
     

32GING01N

  

G,LF

  

Assembly

     

S35FCU-

  

STD,SCSI80,ULTRA2,H3,C,CT,M,FX,

  
     

8GCCPI02N

  

S,8G,CC

  

Assembly

     

S35HB-2GC01N

  

STD,SCSI,I2,H3,C,M,FX,S,40G,LF

  

Assembly

     

S35P-C01N

  

STD,SCSI,P23R,F3,C,M,FX,S,LF

  

Assembly

     

S35P-C03N

  

STD,SCSI,P3R,F3,C,M,FX,S,LF

  

Assembly

     

S35P-IC01N

  

STD,SCSI,P23R,F3,I,CT,M,FX,S,LF

  

Assembly

        

STD,SCSI,P3R,F3,I,CT,ND,F2B13,S,C

  
     

S35P-ICRA3BN

  

C

  

Assembly

  

SCSI Total

        
        

STD,SATA,16X2X4G,H2,I,M,FBH16I,

  
  

XCEEDSECURE2

  

A25FB-128GI22N

  

S,LF

  

Assembly

        

STD,SATA,12X2X2G,H2,C,M,FBH16

  
     

A25FB-48GC21N

  

I,S,LF

  

Assembly

     

A25FBS-128GI33N

  

STD,SATA,4X4X8G,H2,I,M,FX,S,LF

  

Assembly

     

A25FBS-128GI43N

  

STD,A25FBS-128G43N,H2,I,M,SFI,S

  

Assembly

     

A25FBS-

  

STD,SATA,4X4X8G,H2,I,CT,M,FX,S,

  
     

128GIC33N

  

LF

  

Assembly

     

A25FBS-

  

STD,A25FBS-

  
     

128GIC43N

  

128GC43N,H2,CT,I,M,SFI,S

  

Assembly

     

A25FBS-

  

STD,A25FBS-

  
     

256GICHC34N

  

256GICHC34N,H2,I,M,CT,FV,S,CC

  

Assembly

     

A25FBS-32GC43N

  

STD,A25FBS-32G43N,H2,C,M,SFI,S

  

Assembly

     

A25FBS-

  

STD,A25FBS-

  
     

32GCC43N

  

32GC43N,H2,CT,C,M,SFI,S

  

Assembly

     

A25FBS-32GI33N

  

STD,SATA,4X2X4G,H2,I,M,FX,S,LF

  

Assembly

     

A25FBS-32GI43N

  

STD,A25FBS-32G43N,H2,I,M,SFI,S

  

Assembly

        

STD,SATA,4X2X4G,H2,I,CT,M,FX,S,

  
     

A25FBS-32GIC33N

  

LF

  

Assembly

        

STD,A25FBS-

  
     

A25FBS-32GIC43N

  

32GC43N,H2,CT,I,M,SFI,S

  

Assembly

     

A25FBS-

  

STD,A25FBS-

  
     

32GICL333

  

32GICL333,H2,I,M,CT,FX,S,CC

  

Assembly

     

A25FBS-64GI43N

  

STD,A25FBS-64G43N,H2,I,M,SFI,S

  

Assembly

        

STD,SATA,4X4X4G,H2,C,CT,M,FX,S

  
     

A25FBS-64GIC33N

  

,LF

  

Assembly

        

STD,A25FBS-

  
     

A25FBS-64GIC43N

  

64GC43N,H2,CT,I,M,SFI,S

  

Assembly

     

I25FBS-32GI33N

  

STD,IDE,4X2X4G,H2,I,M,FX,S,LF

  

Assembly

     

I25FBS-32GI43N

  

STD,I25FBS-32G43N,H2,I,M,SFI,S

  

Assembly

        

STD,I25FBS-

  
     

I25FBS-32GIC43N

  

32GC43N,H2,CT,I,M,SFI,S

  

Assembly

     

I25FBS-

  

STD,I25FBS-

  
     

32GITE36N

  

32GITE36N,H2,I,M,FV483,S,CC

  

Assembly

 

3


Product

  

Commodity

  

Material

  

Description

  

Raw/Assembly

      I25FBS-    STD,I25FBS-   
      32GITE3AN    32GITE3AN,H2,I,M,SFV483,S,CC    Assembly
      I25FBS-    STD,I25FBS-   
      32GITE3BN    32GITE3BN,H2,I,M,SFV481,S,CC    Assembly
      I25FBS-    STD,I25FBS-   
      64GITE36N    64GITE36N,H2,I,M,FV483,S,CC    Assembly
      I25FBS-    STD,I25FBS-   
      64GITE3BN    64GITE3BN,H2,I,M,SFV481,S,CC    Assembly
      S35FCS-    STD,SCSI68,A25FBS,H3,I,CT,M,FX,S   
      128GICMO01N    ,128G,CC    Assembly
         STD,SCSI68,A25FBS,H3,I,M,FX,S,32   
      S35FCS-32GI01N    G,LF    Assembly
   XCEEDSECURE2         
   Total         
   XCEEDULTRAX    A25FBX-128GI43N    STD,A25FBX-128G43N,H2,I,M,XFI,S    Assembly
         STD,A25FBX-   
      A25FBX-256GI34N    256GI34N,H2,I,M,FX,S,256    Assembly
      A25FBX-32GI33N    STD,SATA,4X2X4G,H2,I,M,FX,S,LF    Assembly
      A25FBX-32GI43N    STD,A25FBX-32G43N,H2,I,M,XFI,S    Assembly
      A25FBX-    STD,A25FBX-   
      32GIC43N    32GC43N,H2,CT,I,M,XFI,S    Assembly
      A25FBX-    STD,SATA,4X4X4G,H2,I,CT,M,F482,   
      64GICHC33    S,CC    Assembly
      I25FBX-    STD,I25FBX-   
      128GCPA43N    128GCPA43N,H2,C,M,V486,S,CC    Assembly
      I25FBX-    STD,I25FBX-   
      128GCPA4AN    128GCPA4AN,H2,C,M,V486,S,CC    Assembly
      I25FBX-128GI43N    STD,I25FBX-128G43N,H2,I,M,XFI,S    Assembly
      I25FBX-    STD,I25FBX-   
      128GITR33N    128GITR33N,H2,I,M,FV440,S,CC    Assembly
      I25FBX-32GI33N    STD,IDE,4X2X4G,H2,I,M,FX,S,LF    Assembly
      I25FBX-32GI43N    STD,I25FBX-32G43N,H2,I,M,XFI,S    Assembly
      I25FBX-    STD,I25FBX-   
      32GITR33N    32GITR33N,H2,I,M,FV440,S,CC    Assembly
      I25FBX-64GI43N    STD,I25FBX-64G43N,H2,I,M,XFI,S    Assembly
      I25FBX-    STD,IDE,4X4X4G,H2,I,CT,M,F482,S,   
      64GICHC33    CC    Assembly
   XCEEDULTRAX         
   Total         
      A25FD-    SSD,SATA,2.5”,128G,NAND   
   XCEL-10    128GCFM31N    FLASH,C,GT,CC    Assembly
         SSD,SATA,2.5”,128G,NAND   
      A25FD-128GI32N    FLASH,I,GT    Assembly
      A25FD-    SSD,SATA,2.5”,128G,NAND   
      128GIDR32N    FLASH,I,GT,CC    Assembly
         SSD,SATA,2.5”,32G,NAND   
      A25FD-32GI32N    FLASH,I,GT    Assembly
         SSD,SATA,2.5”,64G,NAND   
      A25FD-64GI32N    FLASH,I,GT    Assembly
   XCEL-10 Total         
      TX52D10060GC00    F/A,2.5”   
   XCEL-200    01    XCL,60GB,SF25,SLC,5V,IND,ROHS    Assembly    

 

4


Product

  

Commodity

  

Material

  

Description

  

Raw/Assembly

      TX52D10060GC0C    F/A,2.5”   
      C1    XCL,60GB,SF25,SLC,5V,CT,I,ROHS    Assembly
      TX52D10120GC00    F/A,2.5”   
      01    XCL,120GB,SF25,SLC,5V,IND,ROHS    Assembly
      TX52D10120GC0B    F/A,2.5”   
      A1    XCL,120GB,SF25,SLC,5V,CT,I,BAE    Assembly
      TX52D10120GC0B    F/A,2.5”   
      O1    XCL,120GB,SF25,SLC,5V,CT,I,BO    Assembly
      TX52D10120GC0C    F/A,2.5”   
      C1    XCL,120GB,SF25,SLC,5V,CT,I,ROHS    Assembly
      TX52D10240GC00    F/A,2.5”   
      01    XCL,240GB,SF25,SLC,5V,IND,ROHS    Assembly
      TX52D10240GC0A    F/A,2.5”   
      C1    XCL,240GB,SF25,SLC,5V,CT,I,AC    Assembly
      TX52D10240GC0C    F/A,2.5”   
      C1    XCL,240GB,SF25,SLC,5V,CT,I,ROHS    Assembly
   XCEL-200 Total         
DEFENSE            
Total            
Grand Total            

 

5


Annex III

Transfer Documentation Forms

See attached.

 


CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

This CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”), dated as of [                    ], is entered into by and between SMART Storage Systems, Inc., an Arizona corporation (“ Storage AZ ”), and SMART High Reliability Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned Subsidiary of Storage AZ (“ Legacy DefenseCo ” and, together with Storage AZ, the “ parties ”).

WHEREAS, SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and parent of Storage AZ (“ Seller ”), SanDisk Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ Buyer ”), SanDisk Manufacturing, a Republic of Ireland company, (“ BuyerSub ”) and solely for the purposes set forth therein, Saleen Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Saleen Holdings ”), Saleen Intermediate Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saleen Holdings (“ Saleen Intermediate ”), and SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saleen Intermediate, have entered into that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2013 (as it may be amended from time to time, the “ Stock Purchase Agreement ”), pursuant to which Seller will sell certain Sold Shares to Buyer and BuyerSub; capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Stock Purchase Agreement;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.14 of the Stock Purchase Agreement, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date (the “ Restructuring Deadline ”), Seller, the Sold Companies and certain of Seller’s other Subsidiaries shall consummate the Restructuring as set forth on Exhibit A attached to the Stock Purchase Agreement; and

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the Restructuring, Storage AZ desires to contribute, assign, transfer and convey all of Storage AZ’s right, title and interest in and to the Legacy Defense Contracts and the Legacy Defense Assets (each as defined below) to Legacy DefenseCo, and Legacy DefenseCo desires to assume, pay, perform and discharge when due, except in each case to the extent otherwise expressly provided in the Stock Purchase Agreement (including Section 8.3(c) thereof) and the other Closing Agreements, the Legacy Defense Liabilities (as defined below).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

 

I DEFINITIONS .

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Effective Time ” means immediately prior to the Restructuring Deadline.

Government Contracts ” has the meaning set forth on Exhibit A to the Stock Purchase Agreement.

 


Legacy Defense Assets ” means any and all tangible assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents), Contracts (other than the Legacy Defense Contracts), equipment and other fixed assets, intangible assets (including any Intellectual Property but excluding Registered IP) and rights that are used exclusively in the conduct of the Legacy Defense Business and that are owned by Storage AZ immediately prior to the Restructuring Deadline.

Legacy Defense Contracts ” means those certain Contracts listed on Schedule A hereto (as such Contracts may be amended from time to time).

Legacy Defense Employees ” has the meaning set forth on Exhibit A to the Stock Purchase Agreement.

Legacy Defense Liabilities ” means all obligations and other liabilities to the extent arising out of or relating to or incurred by the Sold Companies in connection with the Legacy Defense Business. For the avoidance of doubt, the Legacy Defense Liabilities shall include, among other things, all obligations and other liabilities of the Sold Companies (as applicable): (i) arising under, or with respect to, the Legacy Defense Contracts and (ii) with respect to the Legacy Defense Employees.

 

II CONTRIBUTION AND ASSIGNMENT .

2.1. Contribution . On the terms and subject to all of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Time, Storage AZ hereby contributes, assigns, transfers and conveys to Legacy DefenseCo as a contribution of capital all of Storage AZ’s right, title and interest in and to the Legacy Defense Contracts and the Legacy Defense Assets, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens).

2.2. Further Actions with Respect to Intellectual Property . To the extent any documentation is required to be filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any other Governmental Entity to evidence the contribution, assignment, transfer and conveyance of any Intellectual Property that is included within the meaning of the term “Legacy Defense Asset”, the parties shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, execute, acknowledge and deliver all such further instruments and agreements, and shall take such further actions, as may be necessary or appropriate to file or cause to be filed all necessary documents with respect to such Intellectual Property.

 

III ACCEPTANCE AND ASSUMPTION .

3.1. Acceptance of Contribution . On the terms and subject to all of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Time, Legacy DefenseCo hereby accepts and receives as a contribution of capital, all of Storage AZ’s right, title and interest in and to the Legacy Defense Contracts and the Legacy Defense Assets.

3.2. Assumption of Legacy Defense Liabilities . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Time, Legacy DefenseCo hereby assumes and undertakes and agrees to pay, perform and discharge when due, except in each case to the extent otherwise expressly provided in the Stock Purchase Agreement (including Section 8.3(c) thereof) and the other Closing Agreements, the Legacy Defense Liabilities.

 


IV CONSENTS .

4.1. Consent of Third Parties . If and to the extent any Consent, substitution or amendment of a third party (excluding any Governmental Entity) is required to novate or assign any Legacy Defense Contract, or to assume any obligations under any Legacy Defense Contract, and such Consent, substitution or amendment has not been obtained or occurred prior to the Effective Time, Section 8 of Exhibit A to the Stock Purchase Agreement, which is hereby incorporated by reference, shall apply with respect to such Legacy Defense Contract.

 

V MISCELLANEOUS .

5.1. Termination . This Agreement shall terminate automatically without any further action by the parties upon the termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement in accordance with its terms.

5.2. Governing Law . This Agreement and all Actions (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws.

5.3. Amendments . This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto.

5.4. Waiver . Any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, which may be lawfully waived, may be waived in writing at any time by each party which is entitled to the benefits thereof. Any waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement by any party hereto shall be binding only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by or on behalf of such party making specific reference to this Agreement. No failure to enforce or delay in enforcing any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of such provision and no waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy by either party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy by such party.

5.5. Assignment . This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable by the parties hereto (including by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. Any attempted assignment without obtaining such required consent shall be null and void.

5.6. Notices . Any notice, demand, or communication required or permitted to be given by any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or served for all purposes if (i) personally delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (ii) one (1) Business Day following the day sent by an internationally recognized overnight courier service (with written confirmation of receipt) or (iii) delivered by facsimile (with written confirmation of transmission), in each case, at the following addresses and facsimile numbers (or to such other address or facsimile number as a party may have specified by written notice given to the other parties pursuant to this provision):

 


  (a) If to Storage AZ, to the following address:

39870 Eureka Dr.

Newark CA 94560

Attn: Legal Counsel

Facsimile: (510) 624-8231

 

  (b) If to Legacy DefenseCo, to the following address:

39870 Eureka Dr.

Newark CA 94560

Attn: Legal Counsel

Facsimile: (510) 624-823

5.7. Complete Agreement . This Agreement (including the Schedules attached hereto) and the Stock Purchase Agreement (including the Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules attached thereto) and the other documents and writings referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that to the extent any terms and provisions of this Agreement are in any way inconsistent with or in conflict with any term, condition or provision of any other agreement, document or instrument contemplated hereby, this Agreement shall govern and control.

5.8. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic mail (in portable document format)), all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and each of which shall be deemed an original.

5.9. Headings . The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

5.10. Severability . If any condition, term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, all other conditions, terms or provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 


5.11. Third Parties . Nothing in this Agreement shall create or be deemed to create any third party beneficiary rights in any Person not a party to this Agreement.

5.12. Consent to Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

(a) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) for the purposes of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and agrees that all claims in respect of any such Action shall be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof). Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally and fully waives the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such Action. Each of the parties hereto further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document to such party’s respective address listed above in one of the manners set forth in Section 5.6 hereof shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process in any such Action. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any Person to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives (x) to the fullest extent permitted by Law any objection to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in (A) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) or (B) the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), (y) waives to the fullest extent permitted by Law and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (z) agrees that a final judgment in any such Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law.

(b) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION, PERFORMANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO IN CONNECTION HEREWITH AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT THERETO. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.12(b) .

 


5.13. Enforcement of Agreement . Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other parties would be irreparably damaged if any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms and that any breach of this Agreement by any party could not be adequately compensated in all cases by monetary damages alone. Accordingly, in addition to any other right or remedy to which any party may be entitled at law or in equity, each of the parties shall be entitled to enforce any provision of this Agreement by a decree of specific performance and to temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of any of the provisions of this Agreement, without proof of actual damages or inadequacy of legal remedy, and without posting any bond, security or other undertaking. The pursuit of specific enforcement by any party hereto will not be deemed an election of remedies or waiver of the right to pursue any other right or remedy (whether at law or in equity) to which such party may be entitled at any time.

5.14. Fulfillment of Obligations . Any obligation of Storage AZ under this Agreement, which obligation is performed, satisfied or fulfilled completely by an Affiliate of Storage AZ, shall be deemed to have been performed, satisfied or fulfilled by Storage AZ.

5.15. Construction; Cooperation . The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, in each case as of the date first above written.

 

SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Iain MacKenzie

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

SMART HIGH RELIABILITY SOLUTIONS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Iain MacKenzie

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Contribution Agreement]


ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

This ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”), dated as of [                    ], is entered into by and between SMART Storage Systems, Inc., an Arizona corporation (“ Storage AZ ”), and SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation and Affiliate of Storage AZ (“ Memory CA ” and, together with Storage AZ, the “ parties ”).

WHEREAS, SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and parent of Storage AZ (“ Seller ”), SanDisk Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ Buyer ”), SanDisk Manufacturing, a Republic of Ireland company, (“ BuyerSub ”) and solely for the purposes set forth therein, Saleen Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Saleen Holdings ”), Saleen Intermediate Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saleen Holdings (“ Saleen Intermediate ”), and SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saleen Intermediate, have entered into that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2013 (as it may be amended from time to time, the “ Stock Purchase Agreement ”), pursuant to which Seller will sell certain Sold Shares to Buyer and BuyerSub; capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Stock Purchase Agreement;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.14 of the Stock Purchase Agreement, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date (the “ Restructuring Deadline ”), Seller, the Sold Companies and certain of Seller’s other Subsidiaries shall consummate the Restructuring as set forth on Exhibit A attached to the Stock Purchase Agreement; and

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the Restructuring, Storage AZ desires to assign, transfer and convey all of Storage AZ’s right, title and interest in and to the Specified Memory Contracts (as defined below) to Memory CA, and Memory CA desires to assume, pay, perform and discharge when due the Specified Memory Contract Liabilities (as defined below).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

 

I DEFINITIONS .

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Effective Time ” means immediately prior to the Restructuring Deadline.

Specified Memory Contracts ” means those certain Contracts listed on Schedule A hereto (as such Contracts may be amended from time to time).

Specified Memory Contract Liabilities ” means all obligations and other liabilities of Storage AZ arising under, or with respect to, the Specified Memory Contracts.

 


II ASSIGNMENT .

2.1. Assignment of Specified Memory Contracts . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Time, Storage AZ hereby assigns, transfers and conveys to Memory CA all of Storage AZ’s right, title and interest in and to the Specified Memory Contracts, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens).

 

III ACCEPTANCE AND ASSUMPTION .

3.1. Acceptance of Specified Memory Contracts . On the terms and subject to all of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Time, Memory CA hereby accepts and receives all of Storage AZ’s right, title and interest in and to the Specified Memory Contracts.

3.2. Assumption of Specified Memory Contract Liabilities . On the terms and subject to all of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Time, Memory CA hereby assumes and undertakes and agrees to pay, perform and discharge when due the Specified Memory Contract Liabilities.

 

IV CONSENTS .

4.1. Consent of Third Parties . If and to the extent any Consent, substitution or amendment of a third party (excluding any Governmental Entity) is required to novate or assign any Specified Memory Contract, or to assume any Specified Memory Contract Liability, and such Consent, substitution or amendment has not been obtained or occurred prior to the Effective Time, the provisions of Section 8 of Exhibit A to the Stock Purchase Agreement, which is hereby incorporated by reference, shall apply with respect to such Specified Memory Contract or Specified Memory Contract Liability.

 

V MISCELLANEOUS .

5.1. Termination . This Agreement shall terminate automatically without any further action by the parties upon the termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement in accordance with its terms.

5.2. Governing Law . This Agreement and all Actions (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws.

5.3. Amendments . This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto.

5.4. Waiver . Any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, which may be lawfully waived, may be waived in writing at any time by each party which is entitled to the benefits thereof. Any waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement by any party hereto

 


shall be binding only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by or on behalf of such party making specific reference to this Agreement. No failure to enforce or delay in enforcing any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of such provision and no waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy by either party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy by such party.

5.5. Assignment . This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable by the parties hereto (including by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. Any attempted assignment without obtaining such required consent shall be null and void.

5.6. Notices . Any notice, demand, or communication required or permitted to be given by any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or served for all purposes if (i) personally delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (ii) one (1) Business Day following the day sent by an internationally recognized overnight courier service (with written confirmation of receipt) or (iii) delivered by facsimile (with written confirmation of transmission), in each case, at the following addresses and facsimile numbers (or to such other address or facsimile number as a party may have specified by written notice given to the other parties pursuant to this provision):

 

  (a) If to Storage AZ, to the following address:

39870 Eureka Dr.

Newark CA 94560

Attn: Legal Counsel

Facsimile: (510) 624-8231

 

  (b) If to Memory CA, to the following address:

39870 Eureka Dr.

Newark CA 94560

Attn: Legal Counsel

Facsimile: (510) 624-823

5.7. Complete Agreement . This Agreement (including the Schedules attached hereto) and the Stock Purchase Agreement (including the Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules attached thereto) and the other documents and writings referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that to the extent any terms and provisions of this Agreement are in any way inconsistent with or in conflict with any term, condition or provision of any other agreement, document or instrument contemplated hereby, this Agreement shall govern and control.

 


5.8. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic mail (in portable document format)), all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and each of which shall be deemed an original.

5.9. Headings . The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

5.10. Severability . If any condition, term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, all other conditions, terms or provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

5.11. Third Parties . Nothing in this Agreement shall create or be deemed to create any third party beneficiary rights in any Person not a party to this Agreement.

5.12. Consent to Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

(a) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) for the purposes of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and agrees that all claims in respect of any such Action shall be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof). Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally and fully waives the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such Action. Each of the parties hereto further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document to such party’s respective address listed above in one of the manners set forth in Section 5.6 hereof shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process in any such Action. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any Person to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives (x) to the fullest extent permitted by Law any objection to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in (A) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) or (B) the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any

 


appellate court thereof), (y) waives to the fullest extent permitted by Law and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (z) agrees that a final judgment in any such Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law.

(b) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION, PERFORMANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO IN CONNECTION HEREWITH AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT THERETO. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.12(b) .

5.13. Enforcement of Agreement . Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other parties would be irreparably damaged if any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms and that any breach of this Agreement by any party could not be adequately compensated in all cases by monetary damages alone. Accordingly, in addition to any other right or remedy to which any party may be entitled at law or in equity, each of the parties shall be entitled to enforce any provision of this Agreement by a decree of specific performance and to temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of any of the provisions of this Agreement, without proof of actual damages or inadequacy of legal remedy, and without posting any bond, security or other undertaking. The pursuit of specific enforcement by any party hereto will not be deemed an election of remedies or waiver of the right to pursue any other right or remedy (whether at law or in equity) to which such party may be entitled at any time.

5.14. Fulfillment of Obligations . Any obligation of Storage AZ under this Agreement, which obligation is performed, satisfied or fulfilled completely by an Affiliate of Storage AZ, shall be deemed to have been performed, satisfied or fulfilled by Storage AZ.

5.15. Construction; Cooperation . The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, in each case as of the date first above written.

 

SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Iain MacKenzie

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Iain MacKenzie

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Assignment and Assumption Agreement]


Exhibit B

Form of A&R IP Cross-License Agreement

See attached.


Execution Version

AMENDED AND RESTATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CROSS-LICENSE

AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CROSS-LICENSE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of [                    ] (the “ Amended and Restated Cross License Effective Date ” or “ Closing Date ”), is entered into by and among SanDisk Corporation (“ Buyer ”), SMART Storage Systems, Inc., an Arizona corporation (“ Storage Arizona ”), SMART Storage Systems Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian corporation for itself and as successor in interest to SMART Storage Systems, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Storage Malaysia ”, and together with Storage Arizona, the “ Storage Parties ”), SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian corporation (“ Memory Malaysia ”), SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (“ Memory California ”), and SMART High Reliability Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Legacy DefenseCo ”, and together with Memory Malaysia and Memory California, the “ Memory Parties ”) (each, a “ Party ”, and collectively, the “ Parties ”).

WHEREAS , Buyer and certain affiliates of the Memory Parties have entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (“ Purchase Agreement ”) with respect to the sale of the Storage Parties to Buyer;

WHEREAS , prior to the date of the Purchase Agreement, certain of the Memory Parties and the Storage Parties had entered into an Intellectual Property Cross-License Agreement dated August 26, 2011 (as amended) (“ Original Cross License ”); and

WHEREAS , in connection with the foregoing and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Parties desire to amend and restate the Original Cross License as set forth below.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1. Definitions . The following terms, as used in this Agreement, shall have the following meanings. Other terms that are capitalized but not defined in this Section 1.1 or in the body of this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

Control ” means ownership or control by a Party, whether directly or indirectly, of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of a person or entity (but only as long as such Party maintains such power with respect to such person or entity).

Controlled Affiliate ” means, with respect to a Memory Party or Storage Party, a person or entity that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, is Controlled by such Party.

 


Enterprise Storage Device ” means a device that has NAND flash memory (including both two dimensional and three dimensional variants thereof) as greater than 75% of the memory content and is used as either a storage or caching device in enterprise applications and (a) has either (i) an industry standard Serial ATA or Serial Attached SCSI interface or (ii) a PCIe interface, and (b) is sold to storage or server customers either directly or through intermediaries such as value added resellers, and (c) has a storage capacity greater than or equal to 150 gigabytes (with such amount of capacity increasing to 165 gigabytes on the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing Date and increasing to 180 gigabytes on the two (2) year anniversary of the Closing). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the term “Enterprise Storage Device” does not include (i) non-volatile dual in-line memory modules (such term defined as dynamic random-access memory modules with non-volatile Flash backup capability) or other products utilizing dual in-line memory module form factors, in each case that do not utilize NAND flash memory endurance enhancement technology developed by or on behalf of the Remaining Entities, (ii) mini-Serial ATA, iSATA or other small form factor products, and their natural successors, in each case that do not utilize NAND flash memory endurance enhancement technology developed by or on behalf of the Remaining Entities, (iii) products used in networking products, automotive products, telecommunications products, medical products, industrial products, military products, aerospace products, avionic products or consumer devices (like smartphones, tablets, notebook, personal computer and other consumer-purchased end-products), or (iv) any of the current products of (A) the Remaining Entities as evidenced by data sheets and/or part numbers set forth on Section 1.1(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule and (B) the Legacy Defense Business as evidenced by the current part numbers of which are listed on Annex II of Exhibit A attached to the Purchase Agreement.

Guardian Technology ” means technology that either (i) enhances the endurance or retention of non-volatile memory, or (ii) reduces the error rate of non-volatile memory by monitoring and adjusting threshold voltages.

Intellectual Property ” means all worldwide intellectual property and intellectual property rights, including: (i) trade secrets, inventions (whether or not patentable), discoveries, technologies, know-how, processes, methods, techniques, algorithms, schematics, specifications, drawings, technical data, designs, and documentation related to the foregoing; (ii) patents and applications therefor, including all disclosures, provisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, and counterparts (whether foreign or domestic) thereof and patents issuing thereon, along with any reexaminations, reissues and extensions thereof (“ Registrations ”); (iii) moral rights and similar personal or other rights; and (iv) copyrights, copyrighted works, mask works, net lists and code modules for hardware description in any and all forms, computer software, including copyright registrations, and unregistered copyrights, but excluding any trademarks, trade names, trade dress, brand names, corporate names, domain names, trademark registrations, trademark applications, service marks, service mark registrations and service mark applications and other source indicators (whether registered, unregistered or existing at common law, including all goodwill attaching thereto) (collectively, “ Trademarks ”).

Licensed IP ” means the Memory IP and the Storage IP.

Memory IP ” means any Intellectual Property that is owned by a Memory Party or its Controlled Affiliates immediately after the effect of the Closing and is incorporated or used in (i) any Company Product (at any stage of development) as of the Closing Date, or (ii) the conduct or assets of the Sold Companies as of the Closing Date.

 

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Rights ” means rights to (i) make, have made, use, sell, offer to sell and import products and services that incorporate or use the applicable Intellectual Property and (ii) reproduce, distribute, perform, display, and create derivative works of the applicable Intellectual Property.                

Storage IP ” means any Intellectual Property that is owned by a Storage Party or its Controlled Affiliates immediately after the effect of the Closing and was incorporated or used in any product or service made commercially available by the Memory Parties or their Controlled Affiliates on or before the date of the execution of the Purchase Agreement, excluding any such Intellectual Property that is incorporated or used in Guardian Technology. For clarity, the term “Storage IP” excludes all Intellectual Property owned by Buyer or its Affiliates (other than the Storage Parties or their Controlled Affiliates).

Storage Party Affixed Marks ” means (i) the domain name “adtron.com”, and (ii) all other Trademarks owned by the Storage Parties or their Controlled Affiliates immediately after the Closing as such Trademarks are displayed on the products, product packaging, product documentation, or marketing collateral used to promote products of the Memory Parties or their Controlled Affiliates prior to or on the Closing Date.

Sublicense ” means, with respect to a Party, the right to grant a sublicense of the licensed rights granted to such Party hereunder (i) to the Controlled Affiliates of such Party, (ii) to vendors, consultants, contractors and suppliers, solely as required to enable such entities to provide goods and services to the granting Party, (iii) to distributors, customers and end-users, solely as necessary to enable the distribution, licensing, offering and sale of the granting Party’s products and services, and (iv) as specified in Section 4.10.

ARTICLE II

LICENSES

Section 2.1. License Grants to Memory Parties . Each Storage Party, on behalf of itself and its Controlled Affiliates, hereby grants to each Memory Party and its Controlled Affiliates a perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable (solely as provided in Section 4.10), royalty-free, fully-paid up, irrevocable, worldwide license, with the right to Sublicense, to exercise all Rights in, to and under the Storage IP in connection with all products and services made commercially available by the Memory Parties or their Controlled Affiliates on or before the date of execution of the Purchase Agreement (“ Existing Products ”) and all successors to the Existing Products; provided that such license shall cover only those portions (including inventions, works of authorship, code, methods, processes, firmware, functionality and features) of any such successor products and services that exist as of Closing (and post-Closing modifications thereof, solely to the extent they are bug fixes or necessary for maintenance or porting of the foregoing) and does not cover any portions of successor products and services (including inventions, works of authorship, code, methods, processes, firmware, functionality and features) that are created or invented after Closing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Storage Parties nor their Controlled Affiliates grant, and the foregoing license excludes, any rights in the Storage IP for use in connection with Enterprise Storage Devices. Any and all rights granted to the Memory Parties and their Controlled Affiliates under this Section 2.1 shall not limit Section 5.8 (Non- Competition; Non-Solicitation) of the Purchase Agreement.

 

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Section 2.2. License Grants to Storage Parties . Each Memory Party, on behalf of itself and its Controlled Affiliates, hereby grants to Buyer and to each Storage Party and its Controlled Affiliates, a perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable (solely as provided in Section 4.10), royalty-free, fully-paid up, irrevocable, worldwide license, with the right to Sublicense, to exercise all Rights in, to and under the Memory IP in connection with all current and future products and services (including any products and services that implement or practice the inventions included in the patents owned as of the Closing Date by the Sold Companies or their Controlled Affiliates); provided that such license shall cover only those portions (including inventions, works of authorship, code, methods, processes, firmware, functionality and features) of such current or future products and services that exist as of Closing (and post-Closing modifications thereof, solely to the extent they are bug fixes or necessary for maintenance or porting of the foregoing) and does not cover any portions of such products and services (including inventions, works of authorship, code, methods, processes, firmware, functionality and features) that are created or invented after Closing.

Section 2.3. Storage Party Trademarks . Each Storage Party hereby grants to each Memory Party and its Controlled Affiliates, for a period of (i) ninety (90) days after the Closing for all Storage Party Affixed Marks other than ADTRON; and (ii) one (1) year after the Closing for the ADTRON Trademarks (other than adtron.com), a non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully-paid up non-transferable license, with the right to Sublicense, to display and use the Storage Party Affixed Marks as such Storage Party Affixed Marks are displayed on the products, product packaging, product documentation, or other marketing collateral in existence as of the Closing. Within thirty (30) days after the Closing, the Parties will agree on their respective ownership, use and/or obsolescence of the domain name adtron.com. No Memory Party shall: (x) modify the Storage Party Affixed Marks; (y) place other trademarks on the packaging on which the Storage Party Affixed Marks are displayed in a manner that creates a combination mark or implies an affiliation between the Storage Parties and the Memory Parties; or (z) represent itself as a Storage Party or Buyer or an authorized representative or agent of a Storage Party or Buyer. Each Memory Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to indicate expressly (using labels, signage, or other text or displays in the proximity of the Storage Party Affixed Marks) that the products that display the Storage Party Affixed Marks on the outside of such products are products of the applicable Memory Party and not products of the Storage Parties. Each Memory Party shall comply with Buyer’s trademark and branding guidelines provided to such Memory Party with respect to such Memory Party’s display of the Storage Party Affixed Marks, provided that no such guidelines shall prohibit any use of such Trademarks that had occurred prior to the Closing Date. Buyer may terminate, in whole or in part, a Memory Party’s license to the Storage Party Affixed Marks if such Memory Party’s display of the Storage Party Affixed Marks is in material breach of this Section 2.3 and such Memory Party does not cure such breach within fifteen (15) days after Buyer provides such Memory Party with written notice thereof. For clarity, a Memory Party may only display the licensed marks on products, packaging and materials that exist as of the Closing Date and may not reproduce new materials containing the Storage Party Affixed Marks.

 

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Section 2.4. No Delivery Obligation . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, and without limiting a Party’s obligations under the Purchase Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement dated as of the date hereof, no Party shall have any obligation hereunder to (i) deliver to any other Party any physical embodiment of any Licensed IP or any improvement thereto, (ii) deliver, provide or perform any support, maintenance or other assistance in connection with any Licensed IP or (iii) update or correct any Licensed IP.

Section 2.5. Reservation of Rights . The Parties hereby acknowledge that (i) the licenses herein are the only licenses granted with respect to any Licensed IP hereunder and (ii) no other licenses have been granted, expressly or by implication or estoppel, by the provisions of this Agreement. Any and all rights to any Licensed IP or any other Intellectual Property not expressly granted are reserved and retained. For clarity, the term Storage IP does not include any third-party Intellectual Property that is licensed to any granting Party herein. For further clarity, the Memory IP and Storage IP exclude all Intellectual Property that is invented or created after the Amended and Restated Cross License Effective Date, but include all Registrations (as defined in the definition of “Intellectual Property” herein) issuing after the Amended and Restated Cross License Effective Date to the extent arising from any inventions, patents, patent applications, processes or methods that are conceived prior to or on the Amended and Restated Cross License Effective Date.

Section 2.6. Prosecution and Maintenance . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no Party shall have any obligation hereunder to take any act with respect to the registration, prosecution or maintenance of any Intellectual Property.

Section 2.7. Actions Against Third Parties . No Party shall have any obligation hereunder to institute any action or suit against a third party for infringement of any Intellectual Property or to defend any action or suit brought by a third party that challenges or concerns the validity or enforceability of such Intellectual Property. Each Storage Party shall have and retain the exclusive right to institute and prosecute any claim, action or suit against third parties for the infringement of any Storage IP of such Storage Party, and each Memory Party shall have and retain the exclusive right to institute and prosecute any claim, action or suit against third parties for the infringement of any Memory IP of such Memory Party.

Section 2.8. DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY . NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, AND WITHOUT LIMITING A PARTY’S WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, COVENANTS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, (I) THE LICENSES AND THE LICENSED IP ARE PROVIDED HEREIN ON AN “AS IS” BASIS AND WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AND (II) THE PARTIES HEREBY DISCLAIM UNDER THIS AGREEMENT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE LICENSES AND THE LICENSED IP, INCLUDING THOSE REGARDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND VALIDITY. WITHOUT LIMITING A PARTY’S REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, NO PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE TO ANOTHER PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY DAMAGES RELATED TO OR ARISING FROM SUCH OTHER PARTY’S USE OF THE LICENSED IP.

 

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ARTICLE III

TERMINATION

Section 3.1. Term . This Agreement is effective as of the date hereof and shall continue in full force and effect in perpetuity.

Section 3.2. Termination . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, and without limiting a Party’s other rights and remedies for any breach of this Agreement, no Party may terminate the licenses granted under this Agreement for any reason except that Buyer may terminate the trademark license in Section 2.3 in accordance with Section 2.3.

ARTICLE IV

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 4.1. Amendment . The terms of this Agreement shall be effective as of the Amended and Restated Cross License Effective Date and the Parties hereby agree that the Original Cross License is terminated as of the Amended and Restated Cross License Effective Date, and that no provisions of the Original Cross License shall survive such termination. For clarity, the terms of the Original Cross License shall govern all use and activities with respect to the Licensed IP by the Memory Parties and the Storage Parties prior to the Amended and Restated Cross License Effective Date. Each Party covenants that it and its Controlled Affiliates shall not bring an Action against the other Party and its Controlled Affiliates relating to a breach of the Original Cross License.

Section 4.2. Notice . All notices, requests and other communications to any Party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile transmission) and shall be given:

if to Buyer or any Storage Party, to:

c/o SanDisk Corporation

951 SanDisk Drive

Milpitas, CA 95053

Attn: General Counsel

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice or constructive notice) to:

SanDisk Corporation

951 SanDisk Drive

Milpitas, CA 95053

Attn: Vice President, Intellectual Property, Legal Department

if to any Memory Party, to:

c/o SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.

39870 Eureka Drive

Newark, California 94560

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile: (510) 623-1434

 

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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice or constructive notice) to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

2475 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, California 94304

Attn: Chad Skinner

Facsimile: (650) 251-5002

or to such other address or facsimile number as such Party may hereafter designate for such purposes by notice to the other Parties in accordance with this Section 4.2. All notices, requests and other communications made in accordance with this Section 4.2 shall be deemed received on the date of receipt if received prior to 4 p.m. on any business day in the place of receipt and shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding business day in the place of receipt if received after 4 p.m. in the place of receipt.

Section 4.3. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which together shall constitute one agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic mail shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

Section 4.4. Governing Law . This Agreement and all claims or causes of action (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws.

Section 4.5. Jurisdiction . Each of the Parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) for the purposes of any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action shall be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof). Each of the Parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally and fully waives the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action. Each of the Parties hereto further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document to such party’s respective address listed above in one of the manners set forth in Section 4.2 hereof shall be deemed in every respect effective service of

 

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process in any such action. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any person to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives (x) to the fullest extent permitted by law any objection to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in (A) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) or (B) the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), (y) waives to the fullest extent permitted by law and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (z) agrees that a final judgment in any such action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

Section 4.6. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 4.7. Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and supersede any prior discussions, negotiations or agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

Section 4.8. Relationship of the Parties . Each Party shall be acting as an independent company and contractor in performing under this Agreement, and no Party shall be considered or deemed to be an agent, employee, joint venturer or partner of any other Party. Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing between the Parties, no Party shall have, or shall represent that it has, any power, right or authority to bind any other Party to any obligation or liability, to transact any business in the name of or on behalf of any other Party or to make any promises or representations in the name of or on behalf of any other Party.

Section 4.9. No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is not intended to be for the benefit of, and shall not be enforceable by, any person or entity that is not a party hereto. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer, nor shall anything in this Agreement confer, on any person or entity other than the Parties and their respective successors or permitted assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities.

Section 4.10. Successors and Assigns .

(a) No Party may assign or transfer this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the other Party in its sole discretion, except (i) to an Affiliate as part of an internal reorganization for tax or administrative purposes (subject to the second-to-last sentence below) or (ii) in connection with one or more changes of control, reorganizations, mergers, spinoffs, or sales of all or substantially all of one or more Controlled Affiliates, product lines or businesses to which the licenses under this Agreement relate (each, a “Disposition”); provided that (I) any third-party acquirer agrees in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and (II) after any Disposition, this Agreement (x) shall cover only the sold or divested Controlled Affiliate, product line or business,

 

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and (y) shall not apply to any other Intellectual Property, product lines or businesses of any third-party successor or acquirer. If this Agreement is assigned under Section 4.10(a)(i) to an Affiliate other than a Controlled Affiliate of the assigning Party, then this Agreement shall not shall not cover or extend to the Intellectual Property, product lines or businesses of such Affiliate or any of its Affiliates (other than those of the assigning Party and its Controlled Affiliates). In the event of any permitted assignment hereunder, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties’ respective successors and permitted assigns.

(b) In the event a Party sells, transfers, divests or disposes of less than all or substantially all of the product lines or businesses to which the licenses under this Agreement relate, such Party may also grant a sublicense to any acquirer of such product lines or businesses, provided that (i) the third-party acquirer agrees in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement with respect to such sublicense and that the Parties that own Intellectual Property that is sublicensed under such sublicense are third party beneficiaries of such sublicense, and (ii) after any such transaction, the sublicense shall cover only the sold or divested product lines or businesses and shall not apply to any other product lines or businesses of any third-party successor or acquirer.

Section 4.11. Headings; Interpretation . The headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections and Exhibits refer to the Articles, Sections and Exhibits of this Agreement. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder,” and words of like import, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or Exhibit of this Agreement. The words “without limitation” shall be deemed to follow any use of the word “include” or “including” herein. All pronouns and any variations thereof refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as the context may require.

Section 4.12. Amendment and Waiver . This Agreement may be amended, superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument executed by all of the Parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the Party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any Party of any such right, power or privilege, or any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege, preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

Section 4.13. Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in a jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified or deleted, as to the jurisdiction involved, only to the extent necessary to render the same valid, legal and enforceable, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby nor shall the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision be affected thereby in any other jurisdiction.

Section 4.14. Bankruptcy . The licenses herein are intended and agreed by the Parties to be, for purposes of Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, licenses to rights in “intellectual property” as defined in Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code. In the event that any granting Party

 

9


herein enters into bankruptcy, the Parties intend and agree that each licensed Party herein shall retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Each Party and its Controlled Affiliates may assume in bankruptcy the license granted to such entity hereunder, subject to Section 4.10 for any subsequent assignment.

[ Signature page follows. ]

 

10


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned have executed, or have caused to be executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:  

 

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES SDN. BHD.
By:  

 

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title:  Director
SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS SDN. BHD.
By:  

 

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title:   Director
SANDISK CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name: Sumit Sadana
 

Title:    Executive Vice President and

             Chief Strategy Officer

 

[Signature Page to A&R IP Cross License Agreement]


 

SMART HIGH RELIABILITY SOLUTIONS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to A&R IP Cross License Agreement]


Exhibit C-1

Form of Buyer General Release

See attached.


Execution Version

[                    ]

SanDisk Corporation,

SanDisk Manufacturing

c/o SanDisk Corporation

951 SanDisk Drive

Milpitas, CA 95035-7933

Re: General Release of Claims

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2013, by and among SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc., SanDisk Corporation, SanDisk Manufacturing, and for the limited purposes specified therein, Saleen Holdings, Inc., Saleen Intermediate Holdings, Inc. and SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (as amended from time to time, the “ Purchase Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this letter have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Purchase Agreement.

In order to induce Buyer and BuyerSub to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each member of the Seller Group, intending to be legally bound, hereby covenants and agrees, effective from and after the Closing, as follows:

1. Release .

(a) Each of the undersigned on its own behalf and on behalf of each of the Associated Parties, hereby (i) absolutely, generally, irrevocably, unconditionally and completely releases, acquits and forever discharges each of the Releasees from any Claim, and (ii) absolutely, generally, irrevocably, unconditionally and completely waives and relinquishes each and every Claim that any of the Associated Parties may have had in the past, may now have or may have in the future against any of the Releasees, in each case that has arisen or arises directly or indirectly out of, or relates directly or indirectly to, any circumstance, agreement, activity, action, omission, event or matter occurring or existing on or prior to the date of this letter; provided, however, that none of the Associated Parties are releasing (i) any Claim of the Associated Parties under the Purchase Agreement (including with respect to the Interdivisional Payables and Receivables under any Existing Shared Service Agreement, which, pursuant to Section 5.9(b) of the Purchase Agreement shall remain outstanding and shall be paid and satisfied in accordance with the terms of such Existing Shared Service Agreement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this letter) or under any of the Closing Agreements and (ii) any rights that the Associated Parties might have with respect to limitations of liability or corporate opportunities under the certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or equivalent governing documents) of the Sold Companies for Claims that may arise against the Associated Parties, in their capacities as former directors or officers of the Sold Companies.


(b) For purposes of this letter:

(i) “ Associated Parties ” means each of the undersigned’s (A) predecessors and successors and (B) past, present and future assigns;

(ii) “ Claim ” means all past, present and future disputes, claims, controversies, demands, rights, obligations, liabilities, actions, Contracts and causes of action at law or in equity of every kind and nature (whether matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent), including any unknown, unsuspected or undisclosed claim; and

(iii) “ Releasees ” means: (A) each of the Sold Companies; and (B) the successors and past, present and future assigns, and directors, officers, employees, advisors, agents and other representatives of the respective entities identified or otherwise referred to in clause “(A)”, in each case, solely in their capacity as such.

2. Unknown Claims. Each of the undersigned (a) represents, warrants and acknowledges that the undersigned has been fully advised by the undersigned’s attorney of the contents of Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California, and (b) hereby expressly waives the benefits thereof and any rights that the undersigned may have thereunder. Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California provides as follows:

“A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.”

Each of the undersigned also hereby waives the benefits of, and any rights that the undersigned may have under, any statute or common law principle of similar effect in any jurisdiction. Each of the undersigned understands and acknowledges (for itself and each of the Associated Parties) that it may discover facts different from, or in addition to, those which it knows or believes to be true with respect to the claims released herein, and agrees that this release shall be and remain effective in all respects notwithstanding any subsequent discovery of different and/or additional facts.

3. No Suits or Actions. Each of the undersigned, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Associated Parties, hereby irrevocably covenants to refrain from asserting any claim or demand, or commencing, instituting or causing to be commenced, any proceeding of any kind against any Releasee based upon any Claim released or purported to be released pursuant to Section 1(a) of this letter.

4. Severability of Provisions. If any condition, term or other provision of this letter is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, all other conditions, terms or provisions of this letter shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this letter so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

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5. Choice of Law; Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial .

(a) This letter and all claims or causes of action (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this letter or the negotiation, execution or performance of this letter (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this letter) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws.

(b) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) for the purposes of any Action arising out of or relating to this letter or any transaction contemplated hereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and agrees that all claims in respect of any such Action shall be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof). Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally and fully waives the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such Action. Each of the parties hereto further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document to such party’s respective address listed above in one of the manners set forth in Section 9.7 of the Purchase Agreement shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process in any such Action. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any Person to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives (x) to the fullest extent permitted by Law any objection to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of this letter or the transactions contemplated hereby in (A) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) or (B) the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), (y) waives to the fullest extent permitted by Law and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (z) agrees that a final judgment in any such Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law.

(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION, PERFORMANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS LETTER AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT THERETO. EACH OF THE

 

3


PARTIES HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS LETTER OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5(C) .

6. Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This letter and the Purchase Agreement (including the Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules thereto) contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No amendment, supplement, modification, rescission or waiver of this letter shall be binding unless consented to in writing by Buyer and BuyerSub, on the one hand, and each of the undersigned, on the other hand.

7. Construction. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this letter shall refer to this letter as a whole and not to any particular provision of this letter, and all section references are to this letter unless otherwise specified. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “or” is not exclusive, unless the context otherwise requires. The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

4


Very truly yours,

SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS (GLOBAL

HOLDINGS), INC.

By:  

 

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Director

 

SALEEN HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Director

 

SALEEN INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Director

 

SMART WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to General Release]


Exhibit C-2

Form of Seller General Release

See attached.


Execution Version

[                    ]

SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc.,

Saleen Holdings, Inc.,

Saleen Intermediate, Inc., and

SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

c/o SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc.

39870 Eureka Dr.

Newark, CA 94560

Re: General Release of Claims

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2013, by and among SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc., SanDisk Corporation, SanDisk Manufacturing, and for the limited purposes specified therein, Saleen Holdings, Inc., Saleen Intermediate Holdings, Inc. and SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (as amended from time to time, the “ Purchase Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this letter have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Purchase Agreement.

In order to induce the Seller Group to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each of the Sold Companies, intending to be legally bound, hereby covenants and agrees, effective from and after the Closing, as follows:

1. Release .

(a) Each of the undersigned on its own behalf and on behalf of each of the Associated Parties, hereby absolutely, generally, irrevocably, unconditionally and completely releases, acquits and forever discharges each of the Releasees from any Claim, that any of the Associated Parties may have had in the past, may now have or may have in the future against any of the Releasees, in each case that has arisen or arises directly or indirectly out of, or relates directly or indirectly to (x) the negotiation, execution, performance, breach or otherwise related to or arising out of, the Existing Shared Services Agreements, and (y) against any of the Releasees (as applicable), to extent acting in its capacity as controlling equityholder of the Sold Companies (as applicable), in each case prior to, or contemporaneous with the Closing; provided, however, that none of the Associated Parties are releasing any Claim of the Associated Parties under the Purchase Agreement (including with respect to the Interdivisional Payables and Receivables under any Existing Shared Service Agreement, which, pursuant to Section 5.9(b) of the Purchase Agreement shall remain outstanding and shall be paid and satisfied in accordance with the terms of such Existing Shared Service Agreement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this letter) or under any of the Closing Agreements.


(b) For purposes of this letter:

(i) “ Associated Parties ” means each of the undersigned’s (A) predecessors and successors and (B) past, present and future assigns;

(ii) “ Claim ” means all past, present and future disputes, claims, controversies, demands, rights, obligations, liabilities, actions, Contracts and causes of action at law or in equity of every kind and nature (whether matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent), including any unknown, unsuspected or undisclosed claim; and

(iii) “ Releasees ” means: (A) each member of the Seller Group; and (B) the successors and past, present and future assigns, and directors, officers, employees, advisors, agents and other representatives of the respective entities identified or otherwise referred to in clause “(A)”, in each case, solely in their capacity as such.

2. Unknown Claims. Each of the undersigned (a) represents, warrants and acknowledges that the undersigned has been fully advised by the undersigned’s attorney of the contents of Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California, and (b) hereby expressly waives the benefits thereof and any rights that the undersigned may have thereunder. Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California provides as follows:

“A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.”

Each of the undersigned also hereby waives the benefits of, and any rights that the undersigned may have under, any statute or common law principle of similar effect in any jurisdiction. Each of the undersigned understands and acknowledges (for itself and each of the Associated Parties) that it may discover facts different from, or in addition to, those which it knows or believes to be true with respect to the claims released herein, and agrees that this release shall be and remain effective in all respects notwithstanding any subsequent discovery of different and/or additional facts.

3. No Suits or Actions. Each of the undersigned, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Associated Parties, hereby irrevocably covenants to refrain from asserting any claim or demand, or commencing, instituting or causing to be commenced, any proceeding of any kind against any Releasee based upon any Claim released or purported to be released pursuant to Section 1(a) of this letter.

4. Severability of Provisions. If any condition, term or other provision of this letter is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, all other conditions, terms or provisions of this letter shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this letter so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

2


5. Choice of Law; Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial .

(a) This letter and all claims or causes of action (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this letter or the negotiation, execution or performance of this letter (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this letter) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws.

(b) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) for the purposes of any Action arising out of or relating to this letter or any transaction contemplated hereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and agrees that all claims in respect of any such Action shall be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof). Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally and fully waives the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such Action. Each of the parties hereto further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document to such party’s respective address listed above in one of the manners set forth in Section 9.7 of the Purchase Agreement shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process in any such Action. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any Person to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives (x) to the fullest extent permitted by Law any objection to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of this letter or the transactions contemplated hereby in (A) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) or (B) the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), (y) waives to the fullest extent permitted by Law and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (z) agrees that a final judgment in any such Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law.

(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION, PERFORMANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS LETTER AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT THERETO. EACH OF THE

 

3


PARTIES HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS LETTER OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5(C) .

6. Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This letter and the Purchase Agreement (including the Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules thereto) contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No amendment, supplement, modification, rescission or waiver of this letter shall be binding unless consented to in writing by each member of the Seller Group, on the one hand, and each of the undersigned, on the other hand.

7. Construction. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this letter shall refer to this letter as a whole and not to any particular provision of this letter, and all section references are to this letter unless otherwise specified. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “or” is not exclusive, unless the context otherwise requires. The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

4


Very truly yours,
SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS SDN. BHD.
By:  

 

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Director

 

SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS (SG) PTE LTD.
By:  

 

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Director

 

SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS GMBH
By:  

 

  Name: Iain MacKenzie
  Title: Managing Director

 

 

[Signature Page to General Release]


Exhibit D

Closing Net Working Capital Methodology

See attached.


Exhibit D

Closing Net Working Capital Methodology

Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2013 (as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), by and between SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Seller ”), SanDisk Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ Buyer ”), SanDisk Manufacturing, a Republic of Ireland company (“ BuyerSub ”), and solely for purposes of Section 5.7(c) , Section 5.8 , Article VIII and Article IX of the Agreement, Saleen Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Saleen Holdings ”), Saleen Intermediate Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saleen Holdings (“ Saleen Intermediate ”), and SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saleen Intermediate (“ SMART Worldwide ” and together with Seller, Buyer, Saleen Holding and Saleen Intermediate, the “ parties ”).

 

A. Target Net Working Capital

Target Net Working Capital is $20,000,000.

 

B. Methodologies for Calculating Closing Net Working Capital

The account balances comprising Closing Net Working Capital shall be derived from the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Sold Companies (excluding the Legacy Defense Business) as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date after giving effect to the Restructuring (the “ Closing Balance Sheet ”). Unless otherwise specifically provided for in this Exhibit C , the Closing Balance Sheet shall prepared using the same accounting methods, historical policies, practices, principles and procedures with consistent classifications and estimation methodologies as were used in the preparation of the Enterprise Financial Statements as of, and for the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2013. The Closing Balance Sheet shall entirely disregard (x) any and all effects on the assets or liabilities of the Sold Companies as a result of (A) the transactions contemplated by the Agreement or the Closing Agreements (other than giving effect to the Restructuring), or (B) any transaction entered into by any of Buyer and/or its Subsidiaries (including the Sold Companies after the Closing) in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement or the Closing Agreements, and (y) any of the plans, transactions, or changes which Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Sold Companies after the Closing) intends to initiate or make or cause to be initiated or made at or after the Closing with respect to any of the Sold Companies or the businesses or assets of any of the Sold Companies, or any facts or circumstances that are unique or particular to any of Sold Companies or any of their respective assets or liabilities. Valuations and estimates for the Closing Balance Sheet shall not reflect or take into account developments between the date thereof and the date of preparation or completion of the Closing Balance Sheet except for those developments that provide additional evidence with respect to conditions that existed on the date of the Closing Balance Sheet, but without taking into account any of the transactions to occur on the Closing Date.

 


The following accounting methods and provisions will be utilized for purposes of preparing and determining the Closing Balance Sheet, regardless of whether or not such accounting methods and provisions are in accordance with the past practices of the Sold Companies:

 

    No Year-End Adjustments or Footnotes – The Closing Balance Sheet is not subject to year-end adjustments (provided, that such unrecorded adjustments are not, individually or in the aggregate, material in amount) and does not contain footnotes.

 

    Purchase Accounting Adjustments – Any purchase accounting adjustments required under ASC 805 (the former Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141R, Business Combinations) that result from the transactions contemplated by the Agreement will be excluded.

 

    Severance Liability – Employee termination benefits paid or payable to Business Employees who are terminated or will be terminated at or after the Closing at the request or direction of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries will be excluded.

 

    Seller Annual Bonus Plan Accruals .

 

    Non-Executives . Quarterly bonus accruals for non-executive Business Employees for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2013 under the 2013 Seller Annual Bonus Plan will be accrued based on (A) the percentage achievement by the Sold Companies of each of the revenue, gross profit and EBITDA targets for such fiscal quarter under the 2013 Seller Annual Bonus Plan through the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date and (B) the number of significant goal targets for such fiscal quarter under the 2013 Seller Annual Bonus Plan achieved through the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date as a percentage of the total number of significant goal targets for such fiscal quarter under the 2013 Seller Annual Bonus Plan. To the extent the Closing Date occurs after August 31, 2013 and the Board of Directors of Seller adopts a Seller Annual Bonus Plan for fiscal year 2014 in accordance with Section 5.1(b)(xvi) of the Agreement, quarterly bonus accruals for non-executive Business Employees under such 2014 Seller Annual Bonus Plan for the fiscal quarter ended November 29, 2013 will be accrued in similar methods to the above for such fiscal quarter through the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date.

 

    Executives . Semi-annual bonus accruals for executive Business Employees for the fiscal six-months ended August 31, 2013 under the 2013 Seller Annual Bonus Plan will be accrued based on (A) the percentage achievement by the Sold Companies of each of the revenue, gross profit and EBITDA targets for such fiscal six-months under the 2013 Seller Annual Bonus Plan through the close of business on the Business

 

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Day immediately preceding the Closing Date and (B) the number of significant goal targets for fiscal six-months under the 2013 Seller Annual Bonus Plan achieved through the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date as a percentage of the total number of significant goal targets for such fiscal six-months under the 2013 Seller Annual Bonus Plan. To the extent the Closing Date occurs after August 31, 2013 and the Board of Directors of Seller adopts a Seller Annual Bonus Plan for fiscal year 2014 in accordance with Section 5.1(b)(xvi) of the Agreement, semi-annual bonus accruals for non-executive Business Employees under such 2014 Seller Annual Bonus Plan for the fiscal six-months ended February 28, 2014 will be accrued in similar methods to the above for such fiscal six-months through the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date.

 

    Seller Sales Incentive Plan Accruals – Quarterly accruals for eligible Business Employees for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2013 under the Seller 2013 Sales Incentive Plan will be accrued based on such employees’ Quota Achievement (as defined under the Seller 2013 Sales Incentive Plan) through the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date. To the extent the Closing Date occurs after August 31, 2013 and the Board of Directors of Seller adopts a Seller Sales Incentive Plan for fiscal year 2014 in accordance with Section 5.1(b)(xvi) of the Agreement, quarterly accruals for eligible Business Employees under such Seller 2014 Sales Incentive Plan for the fiscal quarter ended November 29, 2013 will be accrued in similar methods to the above for such fiscal quarter through the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date.

 

    Transaction Bonuses – For the avoidance of doubt, in accordance with the Agreement, in each case solely to the extent not paid by the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Restructuring, any transaction, change in control, retention or other transaction-linked bonuses, in each case which are payable by any of the Sold Companies and to which any current or former Business Employees or other employees, consultants, directors or officers of Seller, the Sold Companies, the Remaining Entities or any of their respective Affiliates become entitled on or prior to the Closing, in connection with the Agreement and/or the Closing Agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby, shall constitute Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses.

 

C. Calculation of Closing Net Working Capital

Current Assets .

Current Assets shall be comprised solely of the following current assets, consistent with the classification of balances presented in the Enterprise Financial Statements for the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2013, except in any event to the extent otherwise indicated below:

 

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(a) Accounts receivable, net;

(b) Interdivisional accounts receivable, net;

(c) Inventory, net; and

(d) Prepaid expenses and other current assets.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, none of the following are Current Assets:

(i) Cash on Hand;

(ii) deferred tax assets and income tax receivables;

(iii) assets associated with costs or expenses related to Closing Indebtedness; and

(iv) assets associated with Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses.

Current Liabilities .

Current Liabilities shall be comprised solely of the following current liabilities, consistent with the classification of balances presented in the Enterprise Financial Statements for the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2013, except in any event to the extent otherwise indicated below:

(a) Accounts payable;

(b) Accrued compensation;

(c) Accrued bonuses;

(d) Accrued liabilities; and

(e) Interdivisional accounts payable.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, none of the following are Current Liabilities:

(i) Closing Indebtedness;

(ii) Unpaid Sold Company Transaction Expenses;

(iii) deferred tax liabilities and income tax payables; and

(v) any accrual for non-cash compensation expenses incurred in connection with the granting or vesting of any equity.

For illustration purposes only, attached as Schedule A hereto is a calculation of Closing Net Working Capital as of May 31, 2013, derived from the Enterprise Financial Statements.

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

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Exhibit E

Form of Escrow Agreement

See attached.

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]


Execution Version

ESCROW AGREEMENT

THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of [                    ] (this “ Agreement ”), by and among SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS (GLOBAL HOLDINGS), INC., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Seller ”), SALEEN HOLDINGS, INC., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“ Saleen Holdings ”), SALEEN INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC., a Cayman Islands exempted company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Saleen Holdings (“ Saleen Intermediate ”), SMART WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS, INC. a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saleen Intermediate (“ SMART Worldwide ” and together with Seller, Saleen Holdings and Saleen Intermediate, the “ Seller Group ”), SANDISK CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“ Buyer ”), and Bank of America, National Association, a national banking association duly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, having an office in Chicago, Illinois (the “ Escrow Agent ” and, together with each of the Seller Group members and Buyer, sometimes referred to individually as a “ Party ” or collectively as the “ Parties ”).

WHEREAS, Seller, Buyer, SanDisk Manufacturing, a Republic of Ireland company (“ BuyerSub ”), and, solely for the purposes set forth therein, the other members of the Seller Group have entered into that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2013 (as it may be amended from time to time, the “ Stock Purchase Agreement ”), pursuant to which Seller will sell certain Sold Shares to Buyer and BuyerSub (as applicable). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Stock Purchase Agreement.

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, at the Closing, Buyer shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the Escrow Agent, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in United States dollars to an escrow account hereby established by the Escrow Agent (the “ Escrow Account ”), an amount equal to $30,498,134.31 to be held in the Escrow Account in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

WHEREAS, Buyer and the Seller Group desire to appoint the Escrow Agent to act as escrow agent hereunder, and the Escrow Agent has agreed to so act upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth; and

WHEREAS, the Stock Purchase Agreement provides for payments out of the Escrow Account to Seller and Buyer (or their respective designees), respectively, under circumstances described therein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual promises contained herein, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Appointment of Escrow Agent . Buyer and the Seller Group hereby appoint the Escrow Agent as their agent to hold in escrow, and to administer the disposition of, the Escrow Amount (as defined below) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and the Escrow Agent accepts such appointment.


Section 2. Establishment of Escrow Account .

(a) At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the Escrow Agent an amount equal to $$30,498,134.31 in cash for deposit into the Escrow Account, and such amount, together with any interest, income or other proceeds earned thereon from and after the date on which such funds have been deposited in the Escrow Account, are collectively referred to herein as the “ Escrow Amount ”.

(b) The Escrow Amount contemplated by this Section 2 shall be delivered by Buyer to the Escrow Agent by wire transfer of immediately available funds in United States dollars to the Escrow Account. The Escrow Amount shall be held, administered and disposed of by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

Section 3. Investment of Proceeds of the Escrow Amount .

(a) The Escrow Amount, including earnings thereon, shall be invested in a Bank of America Institutional Deposit Account as described on Schedule 1 hereto. The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible to any party hereto or to any other Person for any loss or liability arising in respect of the investment made in accordance with this Section 3 except in the case of the Escrow Agent’s bad faith, willful misconduct or negligence. The Escrow Agent shall furnish, until otherwise instructed in writing by Buyer and Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group, monthly reports to Buyer and Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group, showing the monthly activity, including the amount of interest that has been earned and paid on the Escrow Amount since the Closing.

(b) Seller shall be treated as the owner of the Escrow Amount for all income tax purposes, until distributed pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and all interest and other income earned on the Escrow Amount (the “ Escrow Income ”) shall be allocated to Seller for all federal, state, local and foreign tax reporting purposes as income earned from the Escrow Account whether or not said income has been distributed during such year. The Escrow Agent shall timely report all Escrow Income allocated to Seller for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to this Section 3(b) to the Internal Revenue Service (the “ IRS ”), or any other taxing authority, on IRS Form 1099 or 1042S (or other appropriate form in accordance with applicable legal requirements). For the avoidance of doubt, the allocations in this Section 3(b) are for federal, state, local and foreign tax reporting purposes only, and any interest, income or other proceeds earned on Buyer’s initial deposit into the Escrow Account pursuant to Section 2(a) as part of the Escrow Amount shall be released as part of the Escrow Amount in accordance with terms of Section 4 .

Section 4. Distribution of Escrow Amount .

(a) Upon receipt of a notice (a “Claim Expiration Notice ”) executed by an Authorized Representative of Buyer (i) instructing the Escrow Agent to release funds from the Escrow Account to Buyer or another Buyer Indemnified Person; (ii) specifying the applicable Officer’s Claim Certificate previously delivered by Buyer to which such Claim Expiration Notice relates (the “ Relevant Claim Certificate ”) and (iii) certifying that: (A) the Relevant Claim Certificate was delivered by Buyer to Seller and the Escrow Agent pursuant to, and in accordance with, Sections 8.4, 8.9(a) and 8.9(b) of the Stock Purchase Agreement; (B) the 30-day period commencing upon receipt by Seller of the Relevant Claim Certificate has expired

 

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without delivery of a Claim Dispute Notice to Buyer and the Escrow Agent pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 8.9(c) of the Stock Purchase Agreement; (C) the amount of funds to be released as specified in such Claim Expiration Notice is equal to or less than the amount specified in the Relevant Claim Certificate; and (D) Buyer is entitled to so instruct the Escrow Agent and to recover such funds specified in such Claim Expiration Notice from the Escrow Account pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 8.9(c) of the Stock Purchase Agreement, then the Escrow Agent shall promptly (and in any event no later than three (3) Business Days after receipt of such Claim Expiration Notice) deliver to Buyer from the Escrow Account, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, an amount of cash equal to the amount of funds specified to be released from the Escrow Account as set forth in such Claim Expiration Notice. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon such Claim Expiration Notice delivered to the Escrow Agent hereunder in determining whether the amount specified in the Claim Expiration Notice shall be paid out of the Escrow Amount. Buyer and the Seller Group members recognize and agree that Escrow Agent is not responsible for any calculations contemplated under this Agreement.

(b) Upon receipt of (i) a joint written instruction signed by an Authorized Representative of each of Buyer and Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group (a “ Joint Direction ”), with respect to the Escrow Amount or a portion thereof directing delivery of such Escrow Amount or (ii) a final, nonappealable order, decision or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction, or a final, nonappealable Award (as defined below) stating that such order, decision or ruling is the final, nonappealable order, decision or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator, with respect to the Escrow Amount or a portion thereof directing delivery of such Escrow Amount (collectively, a “ Final Determination ”), the Escrow Agent shall release the Escrow Amount specified in such Joint Direction or Final Determination from the Escrow Account specified in such Joint Direction or Final Determination by wire transfer of immediately available funds to each of the Persons specified in the Joint Direction or Final Determination, as applicable, to be released to such Person or their respective designee’s accounts as specified therein. The Escrow Agent will act upon the Joint Direction or Final Determination, as applicable, on the Business Day such Joint Direction or Final Determination, as applicable, is received; provided , that the Joint Direction or Final Determination, as applicable, is communicated within a sufficient amount of time to allow the Escrow Agent to make the specified distributions (the “ Distribution Cutoff Deadline ”). If the Escrow Agent receives the Joint Direction or Final Determination, as applicable, after the Distribution Cutoff Deadline, such Joint Direction or Final Determination will be treated as being received by the Escrow Agent on the next Business Day, and the Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any loss arising directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from the inability to distribute the appropriate Escrow Amount on the day the Joint Direction or Final Determination, as applicable, is received. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon the Joint Direction and/or Final Determination delivered to the Escrow Agent hereunder in determining whether the amount specified in the Joint Direction or Final Determination, as applicable, shall be paid out of the Escrow Amount. Buyer and the Seller Group members recognize and agree that Escrow Agent is not responsible for any calculations contemplated under this Agreement.

 

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(c) All instructions, including any instructions setting forth, claiming, containing, objecting to, or in any way related to the transfer or distribution of the Escrow Amount, must be in writing, executed by Buyer and/or Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group, as evidenced by the signatures of the Person or persons signing this Agreement or one of their designated persons as set forth in Schedule 2 (each an “ Authorized Representative ”), and delivered to the Escrow Agent only by confirmed facsimile on a Business Day only at the fax number set forth in Section 8 below. No instruction for or related to the transfer or distribution of the Escrow Amount shall be deemed delivered and effective unless the Escrow Agent actually shall have received it on a Business Day by facsimile at the fax number set forth in Section 8 and as evidenced by a confirmed transmittal to the Party’s or Parties’ transmitting fax number and the Escrow Agent has been able to satisfy any applicable security procedures as may be required hereunder. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable to Buyer, the Seller Group members or any other Person for refraining from acting upon any instruction for or related to the transfer or distribution of the Escrow Amount if delivered to any other fax number. Buyer and the Seller Group members acknowledge that the Escrow Agent is authorized to use the following funds transfer instructions to disburse any funds due to Buyer and/or Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group, respectively, without a verifying call-back as set forth in Section 4(d) below:

 

Buyer’s Bank Account Information    Seller’s Bank Account Information
Bank Name: Deutsche Bank Trust company    Bank Name: Wells Fargo Bank
ABA Number: 021-00-1033    ABA Number: 121000248
Account Number: 00-472-147    Account Number: 4122214984
Account Name: SanDisk Corporation    Account Name: SMART Storage Systems
   (Global Holdings), Inc.

(d) In the event any other funds transfer instructions are set forth in a permitted instruction from Buyer and/or Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group, in accordance with Section 4(a) or Section 4(b) , the Escrow Agent is authorized to seek confirmation of such funds transfer instructions by telephone call-back to one of the Authorized Representatives, and the Escrow Agent may rely upon the confirmation of anyone purporting to be that Authorized Representative. The persons and telephone numbers designated for call-backs may be changed only in a writing executed by an Authorized Representative of the applicable Party and actually received by the Escrow Agent via facsimile. Except as set forth in Section 4(a) or Section 4(b) above, no funds will be disbursed until an Authorized Representative is able to confirm such instructions by telephone callback. The Escrow Agent and the beneficiary’s bank in any funds transfer may rely solely upon any account numbers or similar identifying numbers provided by Buyer and/or Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group, and confirmed by an Authorized Representative of the Party providing such account numbers or similar identifying numbers.

Section 5. Withholding Taxes . In the absence of proper tax documentation, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to withhold taxes on payments from the Escrow Account or any portion of the respective Escrow Amount to the extent required by applicable Law. The Parties acknowledge that payment of any Escrow Income, or the distribution of any other amounts from the Escrow Account, may be subject to withholding (including backup withholding) unless a properly completed IRS Form W-8 or W-9 is submitted to the Escrow Agent by Seller, the other Persons entitled to receive such payment, and/or any signatory to this Agreement.

 

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Section 6. The Escrow Agent . To induce the Escrow Agent to act hereunder, it is further agreed by Buyer and the Seller Group that:

(a) This Agreement expressly sets forth all the duties of the Escrow Agent with respect to any and all matters pertinent hereto. No implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by, nor chargeable with, knowledge of, nor have any requirements to comply with the provisions of any agreement, including but not limited to the Stock Purchase Agreement (each, an “ Underlying Agreement ”) except as provided in this Agreement, nor shall any additional obligations of the Escrow Agent be inferred from the terms of any Underlying Agreements, even though reference thereto may be made in this Agreement.

(b) The Escrow Agent shall be obligated only to perform the duties described in this Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any conduct or default of any other bank in which the Escrow Amount is deposited. The Escrow Agent may rely on any instrument or signature delivered pursuant to this Agreement and reasonably believed in good faith by the Escrow Agent to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by an Authorized Representative of the proper Party or Parties duly authorized to do so. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any mistake of fact or error of judgment or for any action suffered or omitted to be taken by it of any kind unless caused by the bad faith, willful misconduct or negligence of the Escrow Agent. In the event of any dispute or question as to the duties of the Escrow Agent hereunder, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled, at the Escrow Agent’s option, without liability to any Person having any claim to the Escrow Amount (or any portion thereof), to refuse to perform any act other than to retain the Escrow Amount (or any portion thereof) until the Escrow Agent shall have received (i) a Final Determination directing delivery of the Escrow Amount (or any portion thereof), (ii) a Joint Direction directing delivery of the Escrow Amount (or any portion thereof) or (iii) a Claim Expiration Notice directing delivery of the Escrow Amount (or any portion thereof). Any order, judgment or decree presented to the Escrow Agent as the basis for a disbursement of amounts held in the Escrow Account shall be accompanied by a certificate executed by the Party requesting the disbursement to the effect that such order, judgment or decree is a Final Determination, upon which certificate the Escrow Agent shall conclusively rely. The Escrow Agent shall not consider any order, judgment or decree to constitute a Final Determination unless accompanied by such a certificate. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall any Party be liable for special, incidental, punitive, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if such Party has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(c) The Escrow Agent is not a party to, and is not bound by or charged with notice of, the Stock Purchase Agreement or any other agreement out of which this Agreement may arise.

(d) The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to rely in good faith upon any order, judgment, certification, demand, notice, instrument or other writing delivered to it hereunder and reasonably believed in good faith by the Escrow Agent to be genuine without being required to determine the authenticity or the correctness of any fact stated therein or the propriety or validity or the service thereof. The Escrow Agent may act in reliance upon any instrument or signature

 

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reasonably believed by it in good faith to be genuine and may assume that any Person purporting to give receipt or advice or make any statement or execute any document in connection with the provisions hereof has been duly authorized to do so. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable to Buyer, the Seller Group members or any beneficiary or other Person for refraining from acting upon any instruction setting forth, claiming, containing, objecting to or related to the transfer or distribution of the Escrow Account or any portion thereof, unless such instruction shall have been delivered to the Escrow Agent in accordance with Section 3 above and the Escrow Agent has been able to satisfy any applicable security procedures as may be required thereunder. The Escrow Agent shall be under no duty to inquire into or investigate the validity, accuracy or content of any such document, notice, instruction or request.

(e) The Escrow Agent may at its sole cost and expense consult with and act pursuant to the advice of counsel with respect to any matter relating to this Agreement.

(f) The Escrow Agent does not have any interest in the Escrow Amount but is serving as escrow holder only and having only possession thereof. It is understood that the Escrow Agent shall be responsible for income reporting only with respect to income earned on investment of each Escrow Amount and is not responsible for any other reporting. This Section 6(f) shall survive notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement or the resignation of the Escrow Agent.

(g) The Escrow Agent (and any successor escrow agent) may at any time resign and be discharged from its duties or obligations hereunder by giving sixty (60) days advance notice in writing of such resignation to Buyer and Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group, specifying a date when such resignation shall take effect and by delivering the Escrow Amount to any successor escrow agent jointly designated by Buyer and Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group, in writing or to any court of competent jurisdiction, whereupon the Escrow Agent shall be discharged of and from any and all further obligations arising in connection with this Agreement. The resignation of the Escrow Agent will take effect on the earlier to occur of: (i) the date of the appointment of a successor escrow agent (including a court of competent jurisdiction) or (ii) the date which is sixty (60) days after the date of delivery of its written notice of resignation to Buyer and Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group (the “ Resignation Date ”). The resignation of the Escrow Agent and the appointment of a successor escrow agent shall be effectuated by an instrument in writing executed by the Escrow Agent, the successor escrow agent, Buyer and Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group, which shall vest the successor escrow agent with all the estates, properties, rights, powers, and duties of the Escrow Agent as if originally named as escrow agent. Upon delivery of such instrument, the Escrow Agent shall be discharged from any further duties and liability under this Agreement. If at the Resignation Date the Escrow Agent has not received a designation of a successor escrow agent after such thirty-day notice period, the Escrow Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor escrow agent or for other appropriate relief, or appoint a successor escrow agent of its own choice and any such resulting appointment shall be binding upon Buyer and each Seller Group member, the Escrow Agent’s sole responsibility after the Resignation Date shall be to safe keep the Escrow Amount until receipt of a designation of successor escrow agent or a Joint Direction or in accordance with the directions of a Final Determination, at which time of delivery the Escrow Agent’s obligations hereunder shall cease and terminate, subject to the provisions of Section 11 .

 

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(h) Any entity into which the Escrow Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity to which all or substantially all the escrow business may be transferred, shall be the Escrow Agent under this Agreement without further act.

(i) In the event of any disagreement between or among Buyer and the Seller Group members resulting in adverse claims or demands being made in connection with the Escrow Amount, or in the event that the Escrow Agent in good faith is in doubt as to what action it should take hereunder, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to retain the portion of the Escrow Amount that is the subject of such adverse claim or demand until the Escrow Agent shall have received a Final Determination or Joint Direction directing delivery of such portion of the Escrow Amount, in which event the Escrow Agent shall disburse such portion of the Escrow Amount in accordance with such Final Determination or Joint Direction. The Escrow Agent shall act on such Final Determination or Joint Direction with respect to such portion of the Escrow Amount without further question or inquiry. Furthermore, and, without limitation, if the Escrow Agent receives a demand from Buyer or any member of the Seller Group or the legal counsel of any such Party with respect to the Escrow Amount and is advised by legal counsel that complying with such demand will expose Escrow Agent to liability or litigation, the Escrow Agent, at its option, file an action of interpleader at the sole cost and expense of the Escrow Agent requiring the parties to answer and litigate any claims and rights among themselves.

(j) The compensation of the Escrow Agent for the services to be rendered by the Escrow Agent hereunder, as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto shall be paid 50% by Buyer and 50% by Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group, upon execution of this Agreement and from time to time thereafter, together with, to the extent not included by the compensation set forth on Exhibit A , reimbursement for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Escrow Agent in connection with this Agreement, including those levied by any governmental authority which the Escrow Agent may impose, charge or pass through in performance of its duties hereunder (including reasonable, documented and out-of-pocket fees, expenses and disbursements of its outside legal counsel in connection therewith).

(k) No Party hereto (or any Person on such Party’s behalf) shall issue any prospectuses, press releases, public reports, promotional material, or other similar materials, which mention in any language the name or the rights, powers or duties of the other Parties hereto unless the other Parties hereto mentioned therein shall first have given its specific written consent thereto.

(l) Buyer and the Seller Group hereby authorize the Escrow Agent, for any securities held hereunder, to use the services of any United States central securities depository it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, the Depositary Trust Company and the Federal Reserve Book Entry System.

(m) Buyer and Seller, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Seller Group, each hereby agrees on a joint and several basis to indemnify and hold harmless the Escrow Agent and its Affiliates and their respective successors, directors, officers, employees and agents (“ Indemnitees ”), from and against any and all losses, costs, damages, claims, penalties, judgments, litigation (including, without limitation, the reasonable, documented and out-of-

 

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pocket fees and expenses of outside legal counsel), expenses, obligations and liabilities (collectively “ Losses ”) of every kind and nature which the Escrow Agent, and its directors, officers, employees and agents, may incur, sustain or be required to pay in connection with or arising out of (i) the Escrow Agent’s execution and good faith performance of this Agreement, tax reporting or withholding, the enforcement of any rights or remedies under or in connection with this Agreement, or as may arise by reason of any good faith act, omission or error of the Indemnities, except in the case of any Indemnitee to the extent that such Losses have been caused by the bad faith, willful misconduct or negligence of such Indemnitee, or (ii) its good faith following of any instructions or directions, whether joint or singular, from Buyer and/or Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group, that the Escrow Agent reasonably believes in good faith to be genuine, except to the extent that its following any such instruction or direction is expressly forbidden by the terms hereof. Solely as between Buyer and Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group, it is agreed that each shall severally and not jointly be responsible to pay contribution to each other such that Buyer and Seller shall be responsible respectively for 50% of such payment obligations; provided , that if the actions of either such Party are the cause of any Losses of any Indemnitee resulting in such payment obligations, such Party shall be responsible for 100% of such payment obligations. The Escrow Agent shall be paid on demand the amount of all such reasonable and documented costs, damages, judgments, attorneys’ fees, expenses, obligations and liabilities (subject to the Escrow Agent’s agreement to repay any such amounts against which it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified). The reasonable, documented and out-of-pocket costs and expenses of enforcing this right of indemnification also shall be borne jointly and severally by each of Buyer and Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group (as between each other each of Buyer and Seller agreeing to be responsible for 50% of such costs and expenses; provided , that if the actions of either such Party are the cause of any Losses of any Indemnitee resulting in such costs and expenses, such Party shall be responsible for 100% of such costs and expenses). The foregoing indemnities in this paragraph shall survive the resignation or substitution of the Escrow Agent and the termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event will any Party be liable for or otherwise be obligated to indemnify for any lost profits or other indirect, special, incidental, punitive or consequential damages which the parties may incur or experience by reason of having entered into or relied on this Agreement or arising out of or in connection with such Party’s duties hereunder.

Section 7. Stock Purchase Agreement . Solely as among Buyer and the members of the Seller Group, in the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Stock Purchase Agreement, the provisions of the Stock Purchase Agreement shall govern.

Section 8. Notices . All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and, except for communications from Buyer and/or Seller, on behalf of the Seller Group, setting forth, claiming, containing, objecting to or in any way related to the transfer or distribution of funds, including but not limited to funds transfer instructions (all of which shall be specifically governed by Section 4(a) and Section 4(b) above), shall be deemed given (a) when delivered personally by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (b) when sent by facsimile (with facsimile confirmation of transmission) or (c) one (1) Business Day following the day sent by an internationally recognized overnight courier (with written confirmation of receipt), in each case at the following addresses and facsimile numbers (or to such other address

 

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or facsimile number as a Party may have specified by notice given to the other Party pursuant to this provision):

if to Buyer, to:

SanDisk Corporation

951 SanDisk Drive

Milpitas, CA 95035-7933

Attn.: Chief Legal Officer

Facsimile: (408) 801-8657

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice or constructive notice):

Latham & Watkins LLP

140 Scott Drive

Menlo Park, California 94025

Attn: Anthony J. Richmond

Facsimile: (650) 463-2600

if to any of the Seller Group members:

c/o SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc.

39870 Eureka Dr.

Newark, CA 94560

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile: (510) 623-1434

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice or constructive notice):

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

2475 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, California 94304

Attn: Chad Skinner

Facsimile: (650) 251-5002

if to the Escrow Agent, to:

Bank of America, National Association

Global Custody and Agency Services

135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1400

IL4--135--14-01

Chicago, Illinois 60603

Attn.: Thomas Popovics

Facsimile: (312) 992-9800

 

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For purposes of this Agreement, “ Business Day ” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which the Escrow Agent located at the notice address set forth above is authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.

Section 9. Waivers; Amendment s. This Agreement may only be amended, supplemented or changed, in each case, by written instrument making specific reference to this Agreement signed by all Parties hereto. Any provision hereof may only be waived by a written instrument making specific reference to this Agreement signed by the Party against whom enforcement if any such provision so waived is sought. No action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including any investigation by or on behalf of any Party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Party taking such action of compliance with any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein. The waiver by any Party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. No failure on the part of any Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by such party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy

Section 10. Construction . The headings in this Agreement are solely for convenience of reference and shall not be given any effect in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. Unless otherwise stated, references to Sections are references to Sections of this Agreement.

Section 11. Assignment; Third Parties . The Parties to this Agreement may not assign this Agreement (other than to a successor by way of merger, acquisition or operation of law) without the written consent of each of the other Parties in each such Party’s sole discretion. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, heirs, administrators and shall not be enforceable by or inure to the benefit of any third party except as provided in Section 6(g) with respect to a resignation by the Escrow Agent.

Section 12. Termination . This Agreement shall terminate at and not before the time of the final distribution by the Escrow Agent of the entire Escrow Amount in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 13. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including by means of facsimile or email in Portable Document Format, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.

Section 14. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

(a) This Agreement and all Actions (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any Action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws.

 

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(b) Each of the Parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) for the purposes of any litigation, claim, action, arbitration, suit, hearing or proceeding (whether civil, criminal or administrative) (“ Action ”) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and agrees that all claims in respect of any such Action shall be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof). Each of the Parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally and fully waives the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such Action. Each of the Parties hereto further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document to such party’s respective address listed above in one of the manners set forth in Section 8 hereof shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process in any such Action. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any Person to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. Each of the Parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives (x) to the fullest extent permitted by law any objection to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in (A) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) or (B) the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), (y) waives to the fullest extent permitted by law and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (z) agrees that a final judgment in any such Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION, PERFORMANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO IN CONNECTION HEREWITH AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT THERETO. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 14(c) .

 

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Section 15. Representations and Warranties . Each of the Parties hereto represents and warrants to each of the other Parties hereto that it has all requisite corporate or other comparable power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Party and (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the other Parties hereto and thereto) this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Party, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

Section 16. Entire Agreement . Subject to Section 7 , this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Section 17. Waiver of Offset Rights . The Escrow Agent hereby waives any and all rights to offset that it may have against the Escrow Amount including, without limitation, claims arising as a result of any claims, amounts, liabilities, costs, expenses or other losses (collectively “ Escrow Agent Claims ”) that the Escrow Agent may be otherwise entitled to collect from any Party to this Agreement, other than Escrow Agent Claims arising under this Agreement.

Section 18. Patriot Act Disclosure . Section 326 of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“ USA PATRIOT Act ”) requires the Escrow Agent to implement reasonable procedures to verify the identity of any Person that opens a new account with it. Accordingly, the Parties acknowledge that Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act and the Escrow Agent’s identity verification procedures require the Escrow Agent to obtain information which may be used to confirm a Party’s identity, including without limitation, name, address and organizational documents (“identifying information”). Buyer and the Seller Group members agree to provide the Escrow Agent with and consent to the Escrow Agent obtaining from third parties any such identifying information required as a condition of opening an account with or using any service provided by the Escrow Agent.

Section 19. Force Majeure . No Party to this Agreement is liable to any other Party for losses due to, or if it is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of, acts of God, fire, war, terrorism, floods, strikes, electrical outages, equipment or transmission failure or other causes reasonably beyond its control.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first written above.

 

ESCROW AGENT:
BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Escrow Agent
By:  

 

Name:   Margaret Muir
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Escrow Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first written above.

 

BUYER:
SANDISK CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:   Judy Bruner
Title:   Executive Vice President, Administration and CFO

 

[Signature Page to Escrow Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first written above.

 

SELLER:
SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS (GLOBAL HOLDINGS), INC.
By:  

 

Name:   Iain MacKenzie
Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page to Escrow Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first written above.

 

SALEEN HOLDINGS:
SALEEN HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:   Iain MacKenzie
Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page to Escrow Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first written above.

 

SALEEN INTERMEDIATE:
SALEEN INTERMEDIATE, INC.
By:  

 

Name:   Iain MacKenzie
Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page to Escrow Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first written above.

 

SMART WORLDWIDE:
SMART WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:   Iain MacKenzie
Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page to Escrow Agreement]


Exhibit F

Form of SL Agreement

See attached.

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]


Execution Version

S ILVER L AKE M ANAGEMENT C OMPANY III, L.L.C.

S ILVER L AKE M ANAGEMENT C OMPANY S UMERU , L.L.C.

2775 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100

Menlo Park, California 94025

[                    ]

SanDisk Corporation

951 SanDisk Drive

Milpitas, CA 95035-7933

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2013, by and among SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc., SanDisk Corporation, SanDisk Manufacturing, and for the limited purposes specified therein, Saleen Holdings, Inc., Saleen Intermediate Holdings, Inc. and SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (as amended from time to time, the “ Purchase Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this letter have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Purchase Agreement.

In order to induce Buyer and BuyerSub to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each of Silver Lake Management Company III, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ SLMC ”) and Silver Lake Management Company Sumeru, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ SLMCS ”, and together with SLMC, “ Silver Lake ”), intending to be legally bound, hereby covenants and agrees, effective from and after the Closing, as follows:

For a period of twenty-four (24) months following the Closing Date, Silver Lake agrees that it will not, directly or indirectly, hire or employ or solicit the employment of, or make or extend any offer of employment to, any Business Employee who is then employed by Buyer or the Sold Companies or their Affiliates, or any Person who is covered by the immediately following sentence. The restrictions of this letter shall cease to apply to a Business Employee three (3) months after the later of the date of termination of his or her employment with Buyer, any of the Sold Companies or any of their Affiliates, without any solicitation or encouragement by Silver Lake or any of its Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this letter shall restrict or preclude Silver Lake or its Affiliates from, directly or indirectly, hiring or employing or soliciting the employment of, or making or extending any offer of employment to, any Business Employee (i) resulting from generalized searches for employees by the use of advertisements in the media (including trade media) or by engaging search firms that are not instructed to solicit the Business Employees or (ii) if such Business Employee approaches Silver Lake or any of its Affiliates on an unsolicited basis. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not apply to any actions taken by any portfolio company (other than the Remaining Entities) in which Silver Lake or any of its investment fund affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa) and the same shall not be considered an “Affiliate” for purposes hereof, unless such action was taken by a portfolio company of Silver Lake at the direction of Silver Lake or with the benefit of information with respect to such Business Employee provided by Silver Lake.


Very truly yours,
SILVER LAKE MANAGEMENT COMPANY III, L.L.C.
By:  

 

  Name: James Davidson
  Title: Managing Director

 

SILVER LAKE MANAGEMENT COMPANY SUMERU, L.L.C.
By:  

 

  Name: Paul Mercadante
  Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to SL Agreement]


Exhibit G

Form of Transition Services Agreement

See attached.

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]


Execution Version

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

This TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”), dated as of [                    ] (the “ Effective Date ”), is entered into by and among (i) SMART Modular Technologies, Inc., a California corporation, SMART Modular Technologies Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysia corporation, and SMART Modular Technologies (Europe) Limited, a United Kingdom limited company (each, a “ SMART Party ” and collectively, the “ SMART Parties ”), (ii) SMART Storage Systems, Inc., an Arizona corporation, SMART Storage Systems Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysia corporation, SMART Storage Systems (SG) PTE, LTD., a Singapore private limited company, and SMART Storage Systems GmbH, an Austrian limited liability company (each, a “ Sold Company ” and collectively, the “ Sold Companies ”), (iii) SanDisk Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ Buyer ”) and (iv) SanDisk Manufacturing, a Republic of Ireland company (“ BuyerSub ”). Each of the SMART Parties, the Sold Companies, Buyer and BuyerSub are referred to individually herein as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties ”.

A. Certain of the Parties have entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2013 (as it may be amended from time to time, the “ Purchase Agreement ”) pursuant to which Buyer and BuyerSub purchased and acquired from SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company, the Sold Companies.

B. The Parties intend that during a transition period after the Closing Date (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement), the Service Providers shall provide certain transition services to the Service Recipients upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing and the respective agreements, covenants, representations and warranties hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged and accepted and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions. When used in this Agreement with initial letters capitalized, the following terms will have the meanings specified below. In addition, capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not defined in this Section 1 or elsewhere in this Agreement will have the meanings ascribed to them in the Purchase Agreement.

1.1 “ Intellectual Property ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Purchase Agreement, excluding clause (iii) of such definition.

1.2 “ Manager ” means Buyer Manager or SMART Manager, as applicable.

1.3 “ Proprietary Information ” means Buyer Proprietary Information or SMART Proprietary Information, as applicable.

1.4 “ Schedule ” means a Schedule attached hereto that contains descriptions of the Services.

1.5 “ Service Provider ” means a Person providing a Service (including access to a Service Provider Facility) under this Agreement, in its capacity as a provider of such Service.


1.6 “ Service Provider Personnel ” means the employees and contractors provided or to be provided by Service Provider or its Affiliates to perform the Services under this Agreement.

1.7 “ Service Recipient ” means a Person to whom a Service (including access to a Service Recipient Facility) is being provided under this Agreement, in its capacity as a recipient of such Service.

1.8 “ Transition Period ” means, with respect any particular Service, the period during which Service Provider will provide such Service, as such period is set forth in the applicable Schedule.

2. Services.

2.1 Scope . During the term of this Agreement, each Service Provider will provide (or cause one or more of its Affiliates or Approved Subcontractors (as defined herein) to provide) to the applicable Service Recipient the transition services described in the Schedules set forth below (the “ Services ”), in each case for the applicable Transition Period with respect to such Service and otherwise on the terms set forth herein. Service Provider shall only use subcontractors to perform Services that (x) are Affiliates of the Service Provider, (y) are non-Affiliate subcontractors being used by the Service Provider immediately prior to the date of this Agreement or (z) are other Persons that have been pre-approved from time to time by the Service Recipient in writing (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) (each of the foregoing clauses (x) through (z), an “ Approved Subcontractor ”).

(a) Malaysia Manufacturing Services ( Schedule A );

(b) Finance Services ( Schedule B );

(c) Information Technology Services ( Schedule C );

(d) Legacy Defense Business Services ( Schedule D ); and

(e) Newark Logistics Services ( Schedule E ).

3. Performance of Services .

3.1 Provision of Services . Service Provider will provide, or will cause its Affiliates or Approved Subcontractors to provide, each Service to the applicable Service Recipient during the applicable Transition Period for such Service. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement (including the applicable Schedules), subject to the terms of this Agreement, Service Provider will provide the facilities, equipment, personnel, and other resources reasonably required for performance of the Services. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement (including the applicable Schedules), each Party will bear its own expenses in connection with performance of its obligations under this Agreement. As part of its provision of the Services, each Service Provider grants (or, as applicable, will cause its Affiliates to grant) to each Service Recipient, its contractors and its designated Affiliates an irrevocable, transferable, fully paid-up, royalty-free license to use the equipment, software and other Intellectual Property owned by

 

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Service Provider or its applicable Affiliates solely to provide the Services if and only to the extent necessary for the Service Recipient to receive the Services during the term of this Agreement. As part of its receipt of the Services, each Service Recipient grants (or, as applicable, will cause its Affiliates to grant) to each Service Provider, such Service Provider’s Affiliates, Service Provider Personnel and Approved Subcontractors, an irrevocable, transferable, limited, fully paid-up, royalty-free license to use the equipment, software and other Intellectual Property and materials owned by such Service Recipient and its applicable Affiliates solely to provide the Services if and only to the extent necessary for Service Provider to provide the Services to such Service Recipient. Each Party acknowledges that the other Parties hereby reserve all rights in its Intellectual Property except those expressly granted herein, and that no right or license will arise by implication, estoppel or otherwise by operation of law.    

3.2 Performance . Service Provider agrees that, from time to time, Service Recipient may provide a written notification to Service Provider that Service Recipient reasonably believes Service Provider Personnel are not complying with the Service Recipient’s Code of Ethics and Conduct that applies to its vendors generally or are, based upon the performance of Service Provider Personnel in connection with the Service Provider’s provision of a Service, not qualified to perform the assigned work with respect to such Service. Promptly after receipt of any such written notice, such Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts either to (i) undertake its documented performance management procedures with respect to such Service Provider Personnel or (ii) replace such Service Provider Personnel with other Service Provider Personnel. Service Provider will comply (and cause its Affiliates and Approved Subcontractors that are providing Services to comply) with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations in connection with the provision of the Services and will obtain and maintain, at Service Provider’s cost, all applicable permits necessary to perform the Services and otherwise perform its obligations under this Agreement. Except as may reasonably be expected by the Service Provider and the Service Recipient to be necessary with respect to any of the Services set forth in the Schedules, no Service Provider shall be required to (i) expand its facilities, incur long-term capital expenses or increase its employee headcount in order to provide the Services or (ii) provide Services hereunder that are greater in nature or scope than the comparable services provided to the Sold Companies or the Legacy Defense Business, as applicable, during the twelve (12) months immediately prior to the Closing.

3.3 Use of Services . Unless otherwise provided in the Schedules, each of the Service Providers that is a SMART Party shall be required to provide each Service to be provided by such SMART Party under this Agreement only in connection with the conduct of the business of the Sold Companies in the ordinary course consistent with past practice prior to the date hereof, and Buyer, BuyerSub and the Sold Companies shall not utilize the Services other than in the ordinary course consistent with past practice with respect to the Sold Companies. Each of the Service Providers that is a Sold Company shall be required to provide each Service to be provided by such Sold Company under this Agreement only in connection with the conduct of the business of the Legacy Defense Business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice prior to the date hereof, and the SMART Parties shall not utilize the Services other than in the ordinary course consistent with past practice with respect to the Legacy Defense Business. No Service Recipient shall resell any of the Services received by it to any Person or permit the use of such Services by any other Person other than, in the case of the Service Recipients that are the Sold Companies, the Sold Companies in the ordinary course and consistent with past practice, or, in the case of the Service Recipients that are SMART Parties, the Legacy Defense Business in the ordinary course and consistent with past practice.

 

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3.4 Data Usage . To the extent applicable, Service Provider hereby agrees to comply with the terms and conditions of Schedule F (Data Usage and Protection) that are not more onerous than Buyer’s own privacy policies as of the Effective Date. The purpose of Schedule F (Data Usage and Protection) is to establish conditions in the event that any Service Provider is engaged in the collection, use, retention, and disclosure of Personal Data (as such term is defined in Schedule F ) from Buyer or BuyerSub that is related to Buyer’s or BuyerSub’s employees, customers, prospective customers, online visitors and business partners. Service Provider and all of its applicable personnel, wherever located in the world, engaged in operations, activities and functions which collect, retain, use, receive, or distribute Buyer’s or BuyerSub’s Personal Data shall adhere to Schedule F . Personal Data may not be added to any database of Service Provider unless it is collected in accordance with Schedule F .

3.5 Cooperation . Each Service Recipient shall (and shall cause its Affiliates to) use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Service Provider and its Affiliates and Approved Subcontractors in order to facilitate the provision of the Services. In furtherance of the foregoing, each Service Recipient shall use commercially reasonable efforts to follow the policies, procedures and practices in place at the Service Provider from time to time, including (x) making available any information and documentation reasonably necessary to enable the Service Provider and its Affiliates and Approved Subcontractors to perform the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and (y) making available sufficient resources and ensuring timely decisions, approvals and acceptances and otherwise taking all reasonable actions such that the Service Provider and its Affiliates and Approved Subcontractors may perform the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

3.6 Access to Service Provider Facilities and Service Recipient Facilities .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including any applicable Schedule), for the applicable Transition Periods, each Service Provider shall provide (or cause to be provided) to the Service Recipient reasonable access, during regular business hours and at such other times as reasonably requested, to the applicable facilities of such Service Provider identified in the Schedules (each, a “ Service Provider Facility ”). The Service Recipients shall cause their respective employees, agents and representatives who have access to the Service Provider Facilities to (i) comply with the rules that are applicable to employees of the applicable Service Provider to the extent same are applied consistently including those related to conduct of business, access, confidentiality, security and similar matters and (ii) not cause any damage to the Service Provider Facilities and not interrupt the business operations of the Service Provider and its Affiliates.

(b) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including any applicable Schedule), for the applicable Transition Periods, Service Recipient shall permit (and shall cause its applicable Affiliates to permit) the Service Provider and its Affiliates and Approved Subcontractors reasonable access, during regular business hours and upon reasonable prior written notice, (i) to the premises of Service Recipient and such Affiliates (each, a “ Service Recipient Facilities ”) and; (ii) to such data, records and personnel designated by the Service

 

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Recipient as involved in receiving or overseeing the Services as the Service Provider and its Affiliates and Approved Subcontractors may reasonably request solely for the purposes of providing the Services to the Service Recipient; provided, however, that such access under (ii) shall be subject to any restrictions on disclosure or use arising from any legal, contractual or fiduciary obligation of the Service Recipient or any of its Affiliates or Approved Subcontractors.

3.7 General Transition Assistance . As part of the Services, each Service Provider and Service Recipient will, and will cause their respective Affiliates to, provide such consultation, assistance, and information as reasonably requested in order to facilitate the orderly transfer of responsibility for the Services from the Service Provider to the Service Recipient or one or more of its Affiliates. During the term of this Agreement, each Service Recipient shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assume the responsibility for the Services provided by the Service Providers as promptly as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than the expiration of the applicable Transition Periods for the Services. All data and reports supplied to Buyer or BuyerSub pursuant to any of the Services shall be provided in such format as reasonably requested by Buyer or BuyerSub, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Service Provider or any of its Affiliates be obligated to deliver, or cause to be delivered, any data or other information that is both proprietary to the Service Provider or any of its Affiliates and of a type and nature that was not provided to the Sold Companies prior to the date hereof or reasonably expected to be privileged or subject to any restrictions on disclosure or use arising from any legal, contractual or fiduciary obligation of the Service Provider or any of its Affiliates.

3.8 Additional Services . If Buyer (on behalf of itself or BuyerSub) reasonably requests that the SMART Parties perform any additional service not included within the scope of the Services, which scope shall extend to the tasks identified on the relevant Schedule whether or not all steps required to perform such tasks have been specified, and such service was provided by the SMART Parties or their Affiliates (including any member of the Seller Group (as defined in the Purchase Agreement)) to the Sold Companies during the twelve (12) month period prior to the date hereof, or, if the SMART Parties request that the Sold Companies perform any additional service not included within the scope of the Services, which scope shall extend to the tasks identified on the relevant Schedule whether or not all steps required to perform such tasks have been specified, and such service was provided by the Sold Companies to the Legacy Defense Business during the twelve (12) month period prior to the date hereof (any of the foregoing services, an “ Additional Service ”), the Parties will promptly negotiate in good faith to add such Additional Service as a new Schedule hereunder (or as an addition to an existing Schedule) on the same terms and conditions as are set forth in this Agreement, with the fees for such Additional Service to be determined on a basis consistent with the methodology used by the parties hereto in determining the fees set forth in the Schedules, and all references to Services herein shall be deemed to include such Additional Services.

3.9 Third Party Licensors and Vendors . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no Service Provider shall be obligated to provide any Services (including any access to any of the Service Provider Facilities) for which consent from a third party licensor or vendor is required until such consent has been obtained in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Parties or a reasonable alternative arrangement acceptable to the Parties has been obtained. Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any such third party licensor or vendor consent or find a reasonable alternative arrangement. If the

 

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Service Provider can demonstrate to the Service Recipient that any fees, costs and expenses associated with the foregoing were not included in the Fees being paid by the Service Recipient, then the Service Provider may request compensation for the direct, reasonable, out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses associated with the foregoing by the applicable Service Recipient and the parties will negotiate in good faith to increase the Fees accordingly. No Party shall enter into any new agreement after the date of this Agreement or amend or terminate any agreement in effect as of the date of this Agreement, in each case, such that the agreement would require any such consent from a third party licensor or vendor to provide any Services (including any access to any Service Provider Facilities). The Service Recipient shall comply with any applicable terms and conditions that have been disclosed in writing to the Service Recipient and are reasonably imposed by third party licensors or vendors in relation to the Services (including any access to any of the Service Provider Facilities). Service Recipient shall not unreasonably do or omit to do anything which such Service Recipient knows or reasonably should know may cause any third party licensor or vendor to refuse to grant or to terminate or revoke any licensor or vendor consent in relation to the Services (including access to any of the Service Provider Facilities) to be received by the Service Recipient, unless Service Recipient has notified the Service Provider thereof that it is terminating such Service in compliance with Section 10.2.

3.10 Force Majeure . The obligations of any Service Provider to provide Services, shall be suspended during any period in which and to the extent that a Service Provider is prevented or hindered from complying therewith by any Law or Order, or by acts of god, natural disasters or other weather conditions, civil disturbances, labor disputes or strikes, accidents, acts of terrorism and acts of war or conditions arising out of or attributable to war (whether declared or undeclared) and any similar matters outside the reasonable control of the Service Provider and its Affiliates (each, a “ Force Majeure Event ”). The Service Provider shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cure the Force Majeure Event as soon as reasonably practicable under the circumstances. Until the Force Majeure Event has been cured and Service has been restored to the levels required in the Schedules, the Service Recipient, in its sole discretion, may opt to pro-rate the fees to account for the period of time during which a degraded level of Service was provided. In such event, the Service Provider experiencing the Force Majeure Event shall give notice of suspension as soon as reasonably practicable to the Service Recipient for the applicable Service stating the date and extent of such suspension and the cause thereof, and the Service Provider shall resume the performance of its obligations as soon as reasonably practicable following cessation of the Force Majeure Event. During any period of any such suspension, the Service Provider shall consult with such Service Recipient regarding the status of the Force Majeure Event. Until the Force Majeure Event has been cured and Service has been restored to the levels required in the Schedules, the Service Recipient, in its sole discretion, may opt to pro-rate the fees to account for the period of time during which a degraded level of Service was provided. The Parties acknowledge and agree that a Service Provider shall not be required to provide, or cause to be provided, Services beyond the applicable Transition Periods for the Services due to any suspension of Services related to a Force Majeure Event.

 

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4. Management.

4.1 SMART Manager . The SMART Parties will appoint and maintain during the term of the Agreement an employee reasonably acceptable to Buyer (the “ SMART Manager ”) to have overall responsibility during the term of this Agreement for managing and coordinating the delivery and receipt of Services by the SMART Parties and one employee for each category of Services. The SMART Manager and each of the sub-managers will coordinate and consult with the Buyer Manager (as defined in Section 4.2 ) and the applicable Buyer sub-managers with respect to the Services. The SMART Parties may, at its discretion, designate other individuals to serve in these capacities during the term of this Agreement.

4.2 Buyer Manager . Buyer will appoint and maintain during the term of the Agreement an employee reasonably acceptable to the SMART Parties (the “ Buyer Manager ”) to have overall responsibility for managing and coordinating the delivery and receipt of Services by the Sold Companies and one of its employees for each category of service. The Buyer Manager and each of the Buyer sub-managers will coordinate and consult with the SMART Manager and each of the applicable SMART Party sub-managers with respect to the Services.

4.3 Escalation .

(a) Without limiting any Party’s other rights or remedies under this Agreement, if a Service Recipient believes in good faith that a Service Provider has failed to perform its obligations with respect to a particular Service, the applicable Manager will notify in writing the other Manager and upon receipt of such notice, the Managers will promptly discuss, in person or by telephone, the extent (if at all) that the applicable Service Provider agrees such a failure has occurred and, if such a failure has occurred, a corrective action plan with respect to such failure and, as part of such discussions, attempt in good faith to reach an agreement with respect to such issues, including a mutually acceptable corrective action plan (if necessary). If and to the extent the Managers cannot agree upon such issues (including any necessary corrective action plan) within five (5) days of the original notice date, such issues will be escalated in accordance with Section 4.3(b) below.

(b) If any issue is not resolved in accordance with Section 4.3(a ) above, either the Buyer Manager or the Service Provider Manager may elevate such issue by written notice to senior management of Buyer and the SMART Parties. For Buyer, escalation will be made to Judy Bruner (or such other member of senior management of Buyer that Buyer shall specify in writing to the SMART Parties from time to time). For the SMART Parties, escalation will be made to Jack Pacheco (or such other member of senior management of the SMART Parties that the SMART Parties shall specify in writing to Buyer from time to time). Such respective senior management representatives will promptly discuss the issue in person or by telephone and the Parties will attempt in good faith to resolve the issue for a period of five (5) days. If the issue is not resolved, as agreed by the Parties, within such five (5) day period, either of such management representatives may escalate such issue by written notice to the chief executive officers of the Parties.

(c) For clarity, the escalation process above does not apply to a Service Recipient written notification to Service Provider with respect to Service Provider Personnel in accordance with Section 3.2 .

 

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5. Fees.

5.1 Fees . Each Service Recipient agrees to pay the applicable Service Provider the fees for the Services set forth in each Schedule (the “ Fees ”). Subject to Section 6 , Service Recipient will not be required to pay any amounts to Service Provider in connection with the Services other than the Fees set forth on the Schedules and the Expenses. Throughout the term of this Agreement, each Party shall use reasonable efforts to identify cost savings in providing the Services that have not terminated (or for which no notice of termination has been provided) and, if such cost savings are identified, negotiate in good faith with respect to commercially reasonable steps to reduce the Fees accordingly. All other reasonable pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable pre-approved travel expenses) that arise directly out of the provision of the Services and are incurred by any Service Provider (collectively, the “ Expenses ”) will be reimbursed by the applicable Service Recipients. The Service Recipients also agree to reimburse the applicable Service Providers for any other pre-approved expenses specified on any Schedule hereto.

5.2 Invoicing and Payment . Unless otherwise specified on a Schedule, Service Provider will invoice the applicable Service Recipient monthly at the end of each month for the Fees due under this Agreement from such Service Recipient for that month. Such invoices will clearly specify amounts due for each of the Services. Each such invoice will be accompanied by such supporting documentation and vouchers as the Service Recipient may reasonably require. The Service Recipient will pay the amounts on each invoice within fifteen (15) days after Service Recipient’s receipt of the invoice. Service Recipient will be responsible for value added tax, sales, services and any similar non-income taxes applicable to the fees paid by Service Recipient to Service Provider hereunder. If Service Recipient is required by law to withhold any tax from its payment of fees hereunder, Service Recipient may withhold such amounts and will provide documentation showing that the amount withheld was paid to the appropriate tax authorities; provided, however, that prior to withholding any amounts hereunder, Service Recipient will provide Service Provider notice of the amounts subject to withholding and a reasonably opportunity to provide forms or other evidence that would reduce or eliminate such withholding.

6. Warranties and Indemnification.

6.1 Warranty . Service Provider represents and warrants to Service Recipient that (i) Service Provider will act in good faith to assign Service Provider personnel of appropriate skills and background to perform the Services for Service Recipient and in no event of lesser skills and background than personnel who perform comparable services for Service Provider, (ii) unless otherwise provided in the Schedules, Service Provider will provide (and cause its Affiliates and Approved Subcontractors to provide) the Services with at least the same level of skill, quality, and timeliness as the Services were performed for the Sold Companies or the Legacy Defense Business, as applicable, during the twelve (12) month period immediately prior to the Closing Date, and in any event, if Service Provider provides a similar Service for itself and its Affiliates, in a manner consistent with the manner in which it provides such Service to itself and such Affiliates, (iii) the Services and related deliverables shall comply with the Schedules, (iv) the performance of the Services and any related deliverables provided to Service Recipient under this Agreement do not infringe upon or violate any intellectual property right, patent, mask work rights, copyright, trade secret, trademark or other proprietary right of any third party and (v) all deliverables created or provided by Service Provider for Service Recipient pursuant to this Agreement shall include all authorizations, licenses, permissions and other usage rights necessary for Service Recipient’s intended use as outlined in any applicable Schedule under this Agreement.    

 

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6.2 Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties . EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, NO PARTY MAKES ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, AND SERVICE PROVIDER DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES REGARDING THE SERVICES OR ANY OF THE PROPERTIES OR ASSETS USED TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE, AND ANY SUCH REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED.

6.3 Indemnification and Limitation on Liabilities .

(a) Each SMART Party shall indemnify Buyer, BuyerSub, the Sold Companies and their respective Affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, and employees and agents (each, a “ Buyer Indemnified Party ”) and hold them harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, obligations or out-of-pocket costs or expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees (“ Losses ”), arising out of or resulting from any SMART Party’s (x) breach of this Agreement or (y) its gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of the Services. The foregoing provisions shall not apply to the extent that a claim is subject to indemnification by Buyer, BuyerSub and the Sold Companies pursuant to Section 6.3(b) below or pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such Losses arose as a result of any Buyer Indemnified Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct or, if and to the extent, such Losses were, directly or indirectly, caused in whole or in part by any actions or omissions of the Buyer, BuyerSub or any of their Affiliates.

(b) Buyer, BuyerSub and each of the Sold Companies shall indemnify each of the SMART Parties, their Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, members, managers, and employees and agents (each, a “ SMART Indemnified Party ”) and hold them harmless from and against any and all Losses arising out of or resulting from Buyer’s, BuyerSub’s or any Sold Company’s (x) breach of this Agreement or (y) its gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement. The foregoing provisions shall not apply to the extent that a claim is subject to indemnification by a SMART Party pursuant to Section 6.3(a) above or pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such Losses arose as a result of any SMART Indemnified Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct or, if and to the extent, such Losses were, directly or indirectly, caused in whole or in part by any actions or omissions of the SMART Parties or any of their Affiliates.

(c) If the Buyer Indemnified Party or the SMART Party Indemnified Party (as applicable, the “ Indemnified Party ”) shall receive notice of any action, demand or assessment made by any Person who is not a party to this Agreement or its Affiliates against it which may give rise to a claim for Losses under this Section 6.3 (each, a “ Third-Party Claim ”), such

 

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Indemnified Party shall promptly (but in no event later than ten (10) days after receipt of such notice) give written notice of such Third-Party Claim to the applicable Party subject such claim for Losses (the “ Indemnifying Party ”), stating in reasonable detail the nature and basis of the Third-Party Claim and, to the extent known, the amount thereof along with copies of the relevant documents received by the Indemnified Party evidencing the Third-Party Claim and the basis for indemnification sought. Failure of the Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from liability on account of this indemnification, except if and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced thereby. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense of the Indemnified Party against the Third-Party Claim upon written notice to the Indemnified Party delivered within thirty (30) days after receipt of the particular notice from the Indemnified Party. At its own expense, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to hire counsel with respect to the Third Party Claim. The Indemnified Party shall make available to the Indemnifying Party all relevant books and records of the Indemnified Party and its Affiliates relating to such Third Party Claim, and shall render, at its own expense, such assistance as reasonably may be requested to ensure a proper and adequate defense. The Indemnifying Party will have sole control of the defense and settlement of any Third Party Claims for which it assumes the defense hereunder, provided that the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into any settlement of such Third Party Claim without the prior written approval of the Indemnified Party, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, unless such settlement (A) is on exclusively monetary terms with such monetary amounts paid by the Indemnifying Party concurrently with the effectiveness of the settlement, (B) does not involve any finding or admission of violation of law or admission of wrongdoing by the Indemnified Party, and (C) provides a complete and unconditional release of, or dismissal with prejudice of, all known or unknown claims against any Indemnified Party potentially affected by such Third Party Claim for all matters asserted in connection with such Third Party Claim. In the event that the Indemnifying Party refuses or does not agree to timely assume control of the defense and settlement of any Third Party Claim for which it has an indemnity obligation hereunder, then the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to defend such Third Party Claim and obtain reimbursement from the Indemnifying Party for all Losses, including but not limited to, reasonable costs and expense and attorneys’ fees. Whether or not the Indemnifying Party shall have assumed the defense, such Indemnifying Party shall not be obligated to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Party hereunder for any settlement entered into without the Indemnifying Party’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, except with respect to breaches of confidentiality obligations, and Losses arising from failure to comply with applicable laws, willful misconduct, fraud, personal injury or death, the maximum aggregate liability of any Service Provider, with respect to the Service provided pursuant to this Agreement (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) shall be limited, in the aggregate, to the greater of three million dollars ($3,000,000) or one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the Fees actually paid to the Service Providers, taken together, for all of the Services pursuant to this Agreement. Except in the case of any Third-Party Claim in which an Indemnified Party pays such an amount to a third party in respect of a Third-Party Claim, and except with respect to breaches of confidentiality obligations, and Losses arising from failure to comply with applicable laws, willful misconduct, fraud, personal injury or death, no party hereto shall have any liability under any provision of this Agreement for any punitive, consequential, special or indirect

 

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damages, including loss of future revenue or income, or loss of business reputation or opportunity relating to the breach or alleged breach of this Agreement. Subject to the aggregate limits and exclusions set forth above, a Service Provider shall not be liable for a breach of this Agreement (other than with respect to Section 5) if the Losses resulting from such breach are less than $50,000

(e) With respect to the Services, the remedies set forth in this Section 6.3 shall constitute the sole and exclusive remedy for damages and shall be in lieu of any other remedies for damages that may be available to the Indemnified Parties under any other agreement or pursuant to any law with respect to any Losses of any kind or nature incurred directly or indirectly resulting from or arising out of this Agreement.

7. Confidentiality.

7.1 Confidential Information . Service Providers or Service Recipients (each, as applicable, a “ Receiving Party ”) will maintain in confidence in accordance with this Section 7 all Confidential Information disclosed to it by other Service Providers or Service Recipients, (as applicable, a “ Disclosing Party ”), in connection with the provision and receipt of Services pursuant to this Agreement. Each Receiving Party agrees to (a) disclose the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party only to its Affiliates and their respective employees, directors, officers, customers, contractors, consultants, agents or subcontractors (each, a “ Representative ”) who need to know such Confidential Information for purposes of the provision or receipt of Services pursuant to this Agreement, (b) instruct its Representatives to whom such disclosure is to be made to hold such Confidential Information in confidence in accordance with this Section 7 and not make use of such Confidential Information for any purpose other than those permitted by this Agreement and (c) be liable for any failure of its Representatives to whom such disclosure is to be made to hold in confidence such Confidential Information in accordance with this Section 7 or to not make use of such Confidential Information for any purpose other than those permitted by this Agreement. The Receiving Party agrees to use at least the same standard of care as it uses to protect its own confidential information of a similar nature to ensure that its Representatives do not disclose or make any such Confidential Information in a manner not authorized by this Section 7 , but in no event less than reasonable care. The Receiving Party will promptly notify the Disclosing Party upon its discovery of any use or disclosure of the Confidential Information by it or its Representatives not authorized by this Section 7 . For purposes of this Agreement, “ Confidential Information ” means any and all technical and non-technical information one party provides the other hereunder that is either indicated to be proprietary or confidential information of the disclosing party or which by its nature the Receiving Party would reasonably deem such information to be confidential or proprietary, regardless of marking, including trade secret, know-how and proprietary information, firmware, mask works, designs, schematics, techniques, software code, technical documentation, plans or any other information relating to any research project, work in process, future development, scientific, engineering, manufacturing, marketing or business plan or financial or personnel matter relating to the disclosing party, its present or future products, its sales, suppliers, customers, employees, investors or business, whether in written, oral, graphic or electronic form (for the avoidance of doubt, including, without limitation, the books and records made available pursuant to Section 8 ).

 

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7.2 Exceptions . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Confidential Information” does not include, and the restrictions of this Section 7 shall not apply to, information that: (i) was obtained by the Receiving Party or any of its Representatives from a third party free to disclose it to the Disclosing Party or such Representative without restrictions on use or disclosure; (ii) is or becomes publicly known, through no wrongful act of the Receiving Party or its Representatives; (iii) the Receiving Party or its Representatives can demonstrate was developed independently by such Party or Representatives without reference to or reliance on proprietary or Confidential Information received hereunder; or (iv) is lawfully required to be disclosed to any governmental agency or is otherwise required to be disclosed by law; provided that, except to the extent not otherwise permitted by such governmental agency or law, before making such disclosure, the Receiving Party shall give the Disclosing Party a reasonable opportunity to interpose an objection and/or take action to ensure confidential handling of such Confidential Information (which expense shall be borne by the Disclosing Party).

8. Records and Audit; Data.

8.1 Records . Service Provider will maintain (and, as applicable, cause its Affiliates to maintain) accurate and complete records regarding its activities relating to this Agreement and the means of calculating the amounts billed to any Service Recipient hereunder. Such books and records will, at all times, be kept in a manner consistent with Service Provider’s practices prior to the Closing and, in any event, in accordance with good administrative practice and generally accepted accounting principles. Service Provider will retain (and, as applicable, cause its Affiliates to retain) all such records until at least two (2) years after any termination or expiration of this Agreement, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Parties.

8.2 Audit . At any time prior to the 2-year anniversary of the termination of this Agreement, upon ten (10) days’ written notice to Service Provider, Service Recipient will have the right to inspect and audit all the relevant records and books of account of Service Provider and its Affiliates to verify the accuracy of all payments made or to be made by Service Recipient connection with this Agreement and Service Provider’s compliance with this Agreement; provided , however , that (a) such right to such access may only be exercised once per fiscal quarter of the Service Provider and (b) Service Provider may, in its sole discretion, provide Service Recipient such access only by a mutually acceptable nationally recognized accounting firm, at Service Recipient’s cost and expense (except as otherwise set forth below). Any audit by Service Recipient or such accounting firm will be conducted during regular business hours at the Service Provider Facilities, and in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with the normal business activities of Service Provider or its Affiliates. If any audit reveals an overpayment by Service Recipient, Service Provider will promptly refund any overpayment. In addition, if any audit reveals an overpayment by Service Recipient exceeding five percent (5%) during the audited period, Service Provider will reimburse Service Recipient for the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs of conducting the audit.

8.3 Data . Upon a Party’s request from time to time, with respect to any particular data in another Party’s (or its Affiliates’) possession or control that is not already in the possession or control of such Party or its Affiliates, the Party possessing such data will promptly provide a copy of all such data to the requesting Party in the format maintained by such Party in the ordinary course of business (or another mutually-agreed format, if reasonably requested by a

 

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Party, the cost of any format changes to be borne solely by the requesting Party). Upon any Party’s request, the Party in possession or control of such data, shall destroy (and, as applicable, cause its Affiliates to destroy) all copies of such data, to the extent it is not needed for such Persons to perform Services, subject to Law and bona fide internal document retention and compliance policies designed to comply with Law.

9. Proprietary Information and Work Product.

9.1 Proprietary Information . All Confidential Information relating to Buyer, BuyerSub or a Sold Company that is provided by Buyer, BuyerSub or a Sold Company to a SMART Party (“ Buyer Proprietary Information ”) shall be the sole property of Buyer. The SMART Parties hereby assign to Buyer any rights the SMART Parties may have or acquire in such Buyer Proprietary Information. All Confidential Information relating to a SMART Party that is provided by a SMART Party to Buyer, BuyerSub or a Sold Company (“ SMART Proprietary Information ”) shall be the sole property of such SMART Party. Buyer, BuyerSub and each Sold Company hereby assign to the applicable SMART Party any rights Buyer, BuyerSub or such Sold Company may have or acquire in such SMART Proprietary Information. No Party shall possess or assert any lien or right against or to the Proprietary Information of any Party.

9.2 Treatment . If any work performed under this Agreement is classified, or becomes classified, each Party agrees to preserve the security of this work in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of the United States. Subject to the rights of each party under Section 9.1 , all records, data, notes, reports, sketches, material, equipment and other documents or property of every kind, and all reproductions of any such items furnished by a Party to the other party in the provision of a Service shall be owned by the Service Recipient or developed by a Party in the course of the work performed by such Party under this Agreement shall remain the sole property and Intellectual Property of the Service Recipient.

9.3 Reservation of Rights . Each Party acknowledges that the other Parties hereby reserves all rights in its Intellectual Property except those expressly granted herein, and that no right or license will arise by implication, estoppel or otherwise by operation of law. Each Party shall not reverse engineer, disassemble or decompile any prototypes, software or other tangible objects provided by the other Parties unless expressly authorized to do so in writing by the providing Party. Nothing herein grants or is intended to grant to a Party any right to use the name or any trademark, trade name, logo or service mark of the other Parties for any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to advertising, without the other Parties prior written consent. The Parties acknowledge and agree that there can be no adequate remedy at law for breach of its obligations hereunder, that any such breach may result in irreparable harm to the disclosing party and therefore, that upon any such breach or any threat thereof, the disclosing party shall be entitled to appropriate equitable relief in addition to whatever remedies it might have at law.

9.4 Work Product . Any portion of any works, designs, drawings, software, manuals, reports, documents, content or other materials and work product created by Service Provider in the performance of the Services pursuant to this Agreement (“ Work Product ”) that is unique or specifically related to the business of the Service Recipient shall, to the extent Buyer’s

 

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ownership does not violate any third-party agreement, be owned by Buyer unless otherwise specified on a Schedule, and Service Provider hereby assigns all such Work Product to Buyer. Service Provider agrees to take all actions reasonably requested by Buyer (at Buyer’s expense) to perfect Buyer’s rights in the Work Product.

10. Term and Termination.

10.1 Term . The term of this Agreement will commence as of the Effective Date and will continue until the termination of the last Transition Period unless otherwise terminated pursuant to this Section 10 . For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that each Service will terminate at the end of the applicable Transition Period for such Service.

10.2 Termination for Convenience . Subject to Section 10.4 , Buyer (on behalf of itself, BuyerSub and the Sold Companies) may terminate this Agreement, or any of the Services, for convenience by providing written notice prior to the effective date of such termination in a manner contemplated in the applicable Schedule for such Service.

10.3 Termination for Material Breach or Default . Any Party may, without waiving any legal rights or remedies it may otherwise have, terminate this Agreement if the another Party materially breaches this Agreement and such breach is not cured within ten (10) days, in the case of a breach by a Service Recipient of its obligation to make any payment required by Section 5 , or thirty (30) days, in the case of any other breach, in each case of receipt of written notice describing such breach.

10.4 Effect of Termination . In the case Buyer terminates any Service pursuant to Section 10.2 , Buyer (on behalf of itself, BuyerSub and the Sold Companies) will pay Service Provider only for the portion of the Fees and Expenses for Services actually provided to Buyer, BuyerSub and the Sold Companies up to the date of such termination. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the end of its term pursuant to Section 10.3 , (a) Buyer’s, BuyerSub’s and the Sold Companies’ sole liability will be (x) to pay Service Provider any unpaid balance of Fees and Expenses due for work and/or deliverables actually performed and/or completed under this Agreement and (y) any indemnification obligations of Buyer, BuyerSub and the Sold Companies pursuant to Section 6.3(b) and (b) the SMART Parties’ sole liability will be (a) to pay Service Provider any unpaid balance of Fees and Expenses due for work and/or deliverables actually performed and/or completed under this Agreement and (y) any indemnification obligations of the SMART Parties pursuant to Section 6.3(a ). Following termination of this Agreement:

(a) the Parties will cooperate to effect an orderly, efficient, effective and expeditious winding-up of the Services, including, but not limited to (a) the destruction or return of all Confidential Information to the applicable Disclosing Party (subject to Law and bona fide internal document retention and compliance policies designed to comply with Law), and at the request of the Disclosing Party, written confirmation of the same, and (b) the transfer of all work in progress, raw materials, components, equipment and any completed or partially completed deliverables in accordance with the Schedules and any reasonable written instructions provided by either Party; and

 

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(b) except for each Party’s obligations under this Section 10.4 , the Parties will have no further obligation to perform any Services under this Agreement or any Schedule.

10.5 Survival . Sections 1 , 5 (with respect to any payments accruing prior to such termination), and 6 through 11 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

11. General.

11.1 Service Provider Personnel . All Service Provider Personnel providing Services under this Agreement will be deemed to be employed solely by the applicable Service Provider (or its Affiliates) for purposes of all compensation and employee benefits and not to be employed by any Service Recipient. Except as otherwise provided in the Schedules, Service Provider (or its Affiliates) will solely be responsible for payment of (a) all income, disability, withholding, and other employment taxes and (b) all medical benefit premiums, vacation pay, sick pay, or other fringe benefits for any Service Provider Personnel. Service Provider will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Service Recipient against any liability for premiums, contributions or taxes payable under workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, disability benefit, old age benefit, or tax withholding for which Service Recipient may be adjudged liable as an employer with respect to any Service Provider Personnel. Each Service Provider shall have the sole right and responsibility with respect to the selection of its Service Provider Personnel. Service Provider will have the sole right to exercise all authority with respect to the employment, termination, assignment, and compensation of such Service Provider Personnel.

11.2 Subcontractors . Service Provider may continue to subcontract or otherwise delegate any portion of the Services (a) to any of its Affiliates or (b) to any Approved Subcontractor from time to time. Service Provider will remain responsible for obligations performed by its Affiliates and Approved Subcontractors to the same extent as if such obligations were performed by Service Provider’s employees. Service Provider will be the sole point of contact regarding any subcontracted Services, including with respect to payment.

11.3 Notices . Any notice, request, demand, waiver, consent, approval or other communication which is required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) on the date established by the sender as having been delivered personally, (b) on the date delivered by a private courier as established by the sender by evidence obtained from the courier, or (c) on the date sent by facsimile, with confirmation of transmission, if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, if not, then on the next Business Day. Such communications, to be valid, must be addressed as follows:

If to Buyer, BuyerSub or a Sold Company, to:

c/o SanDisk Corporation

951 SanDisk Drive

Milpitas, CA 95035-7933

Attn.: Chief Legal Officer

Facsimile: (408) 801-8657

 

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If to any SMART Party, to:

c/o SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.

39870 Eureka Dr.

Newark, CA 94560

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile: (510) 623-1434

or to such other address or to the attention of such Person or Persons as the recipient Party has specified by prior written notice to the sending Party (or in the case of counsel, to such other readily ascertainable business address as such counsel may hereafter maintain). If more than one method for sending notice as set forth above is used, the earliest notice date established as set forth above shall control.

11.4 Amendments and Waivers .

(a) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment, by each Party to this Agreement, or in the case of a waiver, by the Party against whom the waiver is to be effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer may waive any provision of this Agreement on behalf of BuyerSub or a Sold Company, and SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. may waive any provision of this Agreement on behalf of a SMART Party.

(b) No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

(c) To the maximum extent permitted by Law, (i) no waiver that may be given by a Party shall be applicable except in the specific instance for which it was given and (ii) no notice to or demand on one Party shall be deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of such Party or the right of the Party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or demand.

11.5 Successors and Assigns . This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party hereto without the prior written consent of the other Parties; provided that, without such consent, each Party may transfer or assign this Agreement, in whole or in part or from time to time, to (i) one or more of its Affiliates, (ii) by operation of law, or (iii) in connection with any merger, consolidation or sale of its assets or an Affiliate or in connection with any similar transaction. Subject to the foregoing, all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective executors, heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns.

11.6 Governing Law . This Agreement and all claims or causes of action (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws.

 

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11.7 Consent to Jurisdiction . Each Party hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) for the purposes of any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action shall be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), or if such court does not have (or declines to accept) jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof). Each of the Parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally and fully waives the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action. Each of the Parties hereto further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document to such party’s respective address listed above in one of the manners set forth in Section 11.3 hereof shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process in any such action. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any person to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives (x) to the fullest extent permitted by law any objection to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in (A) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware located in Dover, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof) or (B) the United States District Court for the District of Delaware located in Wilmington, Delaware (and any appellate court thereof), (y) waives to the fullest extent permitted by law and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (z) agrees that a final judgment in any such action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

11.8 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and any Party hereto may execute any such counterpart, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each Party hereto shall have received a counterpart hereof signed by the other Parties hereto.

11.9 Third Party Beneficiaries . No provision of this Agreement is intended to confer upon any Person other than the Parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder; provided, that the SMART Indemnified Parties and the Buyer Indemnified Parties are intended third-party beneficiaries of Section 6.3 .

11.10 Entire Agreement . Except to the extent expressly provided herein, the Purchase Agreement (including the Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules thereto), this Agreement and the Schedules hereto set forth the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, covenants, representations, warranties, undertakings and understandings, written or oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

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11.11 Captions . All captions contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, do not form a part of this Agreement and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

11.12 Severability . Any provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remaining provisions hereof, and any such invalidity or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

11.13 Independent Contractors . The Parties hereto are independent contractors. Nothing contained herein or done pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute any Party the agent of the other Parties for any purpose or in any sense whatsoever, or constitute the Parties as partners or joint venturers.

11.14 Non-Recourse . This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claim or clause of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement may only be brought against the entities that are expressly named as parties hereto and then only with respect to the specific obligations set forth herein with respect to such party. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, stockholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney or Representative of any Party or any assignee of the foregoing shall be responsible for any obligations or liabilities of any party under this Agreement or for any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

18


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first set forth above.

 

SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:   Iain MacKenzie
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES SDN. BHD.
By:  

 

  Name:   Iain MacKenzie
  Title:   Director

 

SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (EUROPE) LIMITED
By:  

 

  Name:   Iain MacKenzie
  Title:   Director

 

SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:   Iain MacKenzie
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS SDN. BHD.
By:  

 

  Name:   Iain MacKenzie
  Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page to Transition Services Agreement]


SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS (SG) PTE, LTD.
By:  

 

  Name:   Iain MacKenzie
  Title:   Director

 

SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS GMBH
By:  

 

  Name:   Iain MacKenzie
  Title:   Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Transition Services Agreement]


SANDISK CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name:   Judy Bruner
  Title:  

Executive Vice President,

Administration and CFO

 

SANDISK MANUFACTURING
By:  

 

  Name:   Judy Bruner
  Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page to Transition Services Agreement]


Exhibit H

Form of Offer Letter

See attached.


LOGO

[                    ]

[                    ]

Hand or email Delivered

Dear [                    ],

We are pleased to extend you an offer of employment with SanDisk Corporation (“ SanDisk ” or the “ Company ”), contingent upon and effective at the closing of the transactions (collectively, the “ Acquisition ”) contemplated by that certain Stock Purchase Agreement (the “ Purchase Agreement ”) by and among the Company, SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc. (“ SMART Storage ”) and certain other parties. This offer letter agreement (“ Offer Letter ”) embodies the terms of our offer. Your acceptance of this Offer Letter is a material inducement and condition to the Company’s execution and delivery of the Purchase Agreement. If all of the contingencies of this offer of employment are satisfied then, on the closing of the Acquisition (the “ Closing Date ”), you will become an employee of the Company or, if the Company elects to operate the acquired businesses as one or more subsidiaries, an employee of the applicable subsidiary (whichever case applies, the “Company”) on the following terms. In the event that the Acquisition is not consummated, this Offer Letter and all attachments will automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Offer Letter shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

Your title will be [                                        ] reporting to [                    ]. Your starting base compensation will be $[        ] on an annual basis, paid bi-weekly and subject to applicable tax withholding. You shall devote your full efforts and energies to performing all services and acts necessary or advisable to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of your position, and you shall render such services on the terms set forth herein; provided, however, the Company may in its sole discretion change your job title, duties and responsibilities. By signing this Offer Letter, you confirm with the Company that you are under no contractual or other legal obligations that would prohibit you from accepting this offer of employment or performing your duties with the Company.

On the Closing Date, your vested options (after giving effect to the acceleration described in the preceding paragraph) to purchase SMART Storage common stock will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement, payable at such time or times as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. Your unvested options to purchase SMART Storage common stock will be assumed by SanDisk and will become exercisable to purchase SanDisk common stock, with the number of shares of common stock and the exercise price adjusted to reflect differing values of SMART Storage and SanDisk common stock. Your assumed options will continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the SMART Storage (Global Holdings), Inc. 2011 Share Incentive Plan and the award agreement(s) evidencing such SMART Storage Options (including terms relating to vesting), except that each reference to SMART Storage will be deemed to be a reference to SanDisk and as otherwise amended by this Offer Letter.


Offer for [                    ]

[                    ]

Page 2

Following your commencement of employment with the Company, you will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Bonus Plan (the “Plan”). Your target bonus under the Plan is [        ] of your eligible non-equity based compensation following the Closing Date. Payment of this discretionary bonus will be pro-rated for the year in which the Acquisition closes (calculated from the commencement of your employment with the Company) and is subject to the Company’s performance against profit and other strategic objectives and your individual performance for the Company’s relevant fiscal year, and therefore your actual bonus payout may differ from your bonus target. The Plan replaces any existing SMART Storage bonus plans after the Closing Date, and you will not be eligible to receive any payments from SanDisk under any SMART Storage bonus plans in which you participated prior to the Closing Date. In addition, you must be employed with the Company at the time bonuses are distributed to be eligible to receive any bonus payment under the Plan.

As soon as administratively feasible after you start your employment, SanDisk will recommend to the duly authorized committee of SanDisk’s Board of Directors that you be granted [        ] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), which represent the right to receive [        ] shares of SanDisk common stock if the applicable vesting requirements are satisfied. RSU shares typically vest 25% per year over four years subject to the satisfaction of the applicable vesting requirements, including without limitation, your continued employment with the Company. Upon approval, specific terms and conditions of the RSU grant will be set forth in a definitive RSU agreement.

Any information contained in this letter that relates to the terms and vesting of an equity award is provided for your convenience only. If you have been provided with an equity award, please refer to your equity award agreement(s), once available, for complete terms and conditions. In the event of a conflict between the information contained in this letter and your equity award agreement(s), the terms contained in your equity award agreement(s) shall prevail.

In addition, as soon as administratively feasible following the date on which your employment with the Company commences, you will be eligible to participate in the Company’s benefits programs available to U.S. employees, including medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, paid time off, life insurance and disability programs, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans or programs. You will also be eligible to participate in SanDisk’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), subject to the terms and conditions of the respective plans. In order to participate in the ESPP, you must be employed on and enroll by the 15 th business day of the month in February or August to enroll for an applicable six-month time period. The actual date on which you will become eligible to participate in other plans and programs will be determined following the Closing Date.

Upon your commencement of employment with the Company, you will receive full credit for your length of service as an employee of SMART Storage for purposes of paid time off and benefits eligibility under the Company’s benefit plans, subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of the respective plans. This means, for example, with regard to paid time off, your accrual rate at the Company will be determined based on your hire date as an employee with SMART Storage (and not based on the date you become an employee of the Company). Please note that your SMART Storage benefits will continue until you are eligible to enroll and participate in the Company’s benefits.

In addition to the closing of the Acquisition, your employment with the Company is contingent upon the following:

 

    Your ability to show satisfactory proof of identity, authorization to work in the United States, and if applicable, our ability to obtain an export license or other approval that may be required by the U.S. Government. In addition, you will also need to bring the original or a copy of your Social Security Card to verify your name as it is on file with the Social Security Administration. This is important for purposes of payroll processing and end of year withholding statements.


[                    ]

[                    ]

Page 3

 

    Your execution of our Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement.

 

    Your signed acknowledgement of SanDisk’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and annual acknowledgements thereafter.

Please understand your employment is “at will,” voluntarily entered into and is for no specific period. As a result, you are free to resign at any time, for any reason or for no reason. Similarly, the Company is free to conclude its at-will employment relationship with you at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice. This at-will relationship cannot be altered unless specifically set forth in writing and signed by both you and the CEO of the Company.

This letter (together with its attachment(s)) is the complete agreement regarding your employment terms, and with the exception of agreements relating to proprietary information and assignment of intellectual property rights, will supersede and replace any prior agreements with respect to or in connection with your employment with SMART Storage and/or the Company (written or verbal) between you and SMART Storage and/or you and the Company, including, without limitation, any agreements which may have provided for equity awards, fringe benefits, severance or other termination benefits that may have existed at any time prior to closing of the Acquisition and, except as is specifically provided in this Offer Letter, you hereby waive your right to any such equity awards, fringe benefits, severance or other termination benefits.

In the event that the Acquisition is not consummated, this Offer Letter and all attachments will automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


[                    ]

[                    ]

Page 4

We look forward to having you join our team. We think you will find that the Company provides a unique, rewarding work experience.

Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this offer of employment.

 

 

Tom Baker
Senior Vice President, Human Resources
SanDisk Corporation

 

 

This offer will expire on [                    ].

Please indicate acceptance of this offer by emailing a pdf of this entire document with your signature to your immediate manager or to Cheryl Glynn at cheryl.glynn@smartstoragesys.com.

I agree to and accept the enclosed offer of employment with the Company. My start date will be the date of closing of the Acquisition.

 

 

[                    ]

 

Date

This employment relationship is a voluntary one, and you and the Company can terminate this relationship at any time with or without cause and with or without notice.


LOGO

[                    ]

[                    ]

Hand or email Delivered

Dear [                    ],

We are pleased to extend you an offer of employment with SanDisk Corporation (“SanDisk” or the “Company”), contingent upon and effective at the closing of the transactions (collectively, the “Acquisition”) contemplated by that certain Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) by and among the Company, SMART Storage Systems (Global Holdings), Inc. (“SMART Storage”) and certain other parties. This offer letter agreement (“Offer Letter”) embodies the terms of our offer. Your acceptance of this Offer Letter is a material inducement and condition to the Company’s execution and delivery of the Purchase Agreement. If all of the contingencies of this offer of employment are satisfied then, on the closing of the Acquisition (the “Closing Date”), you will become an employee of the Company or, if the Company elects to operate the acquired businesses as one or more subsidiaries, an employee of the applicable subsidiary (whichever case applies, the “Company”) on the following terms. In the event that the Acquisition is not consummated, this Offer Letter and all attachments will automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Offer Letter shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

Your title will be [                                        ] reporting to [                    ]. Your starting base compensation will be $[        ] on an annual basis, paid bi-weekly and subject to applicable tax withholding. You shall devote your full efforts and energies to performing all services and acts necessary or advisable to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of your position, and you shall render such services on the terms set forth herein; provided, however, the Company may in its sole discretion change your job title, duties and responsibilities. By signing this Offer Letter, you confirm with the Company that you are under no contractual or other legal obligations that would prohibit you from accepting this offer of employment or performing your duties with the Company.

Immediately prior to the Closing Date, each stock option to purchase ordinary shares of SMART Storage (the “SMART Storage Options”) held by you immediately prior to the Closing Date will be deemed amended, to the extent necessary, to provide that the vesting of such SMART Storage Option shall retroactively be applied at a rate of l/48 th per month from the original vesting commencement date thereof. For example, if you were granted an option to purchase 4,800 SMART Storage shares with a vesting commencement date that was 23 months prior to the Closing Date, then immediately prior to the Closing Date, the option would vest with respect to 2,300 SMART Storage shares and the remaining shares would vest at a rate of 100 shares per month (prior to the adjustments covered in the next paragraph). By accepting this offer of employment with the Company, you acknowledge and agree that, effective as of immediately prior to the Closing Date and except as provided in the preceding sentence, you irrevocably waive any and all known and unknown rights to receive any accelerated vesting of SMART Storage Options, whether in connection with a corporate transaction, a change in control and/or a termination of employment (including,


without limitation, a termination of employment without cause or for good reason, a termination of employment in connection with death or disability, or any involuntary termination of employment), and whether pursuant to the terms of any plan, policy or agreement in which you participate or which you have entered into with SMART Storage prior to the Closing Date (including, without limitation, the applicable stock option agreement, retention incentive letter, employment agreement, offer letter, or other agreement with SMART Storage or any of its affiliate or subsidiaries) (collectively, the “SMART Storage Arrangements”). [For the avoidance of doubt, you shall retain the right to receive accelerated vesting of SMART Storage Options that are assumed by the Company upon certain terminations of your employment during the one year period immediately following the Closing to the extent, and on the terms and conditions, provided in your SMART Storage Arrangements, as amended by this Offer Letter.] 1

On the Closing Date, your vested options (after giving effect to the acceleration described in the preceding paragraph) to purchase SMART Storage common stock will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement, payable at such time or times as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. Your unvested options to purchase SMART Storage common stock will be assumed by the Company and will become exercisable to purchase Company common stock, with the number of shares of common stock and the exercise price adjusted to reflect differing values of SMART Storage and Company common stock. Your assumed options will continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the SMART Storage (Global Holdings), Inc. 2011 Share Incentive Plan and the award agreement(s) evidencing such SMART Storage Options (including terms relating to vesting), except that each reference to SMART Storage will be deemed to be a reference to the Company and as otherwise amended by this Offer Letter.

Following your commencement of employment with the Company, you will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Bonus Plan (the “Plan”). Your target bonus under the Plan is [        ] of your eligible non-equity based compensation following the Closing Date. Payment of this discretionary bonus will be pro-rated for the year in which the Acquisition closes (calculated from the commencement of your employment with the Company) and is subject to the Company’s performance against profit and other strategic objectives and your individual performance for the Company’s relevant fiscal year, and therefore your actual bonus payout may differ from your bonus target. The Plan replaces any existing SMART Storage bonus plans after the Closing Date, and you will not be eligible to receive any payments from SanDisk under any SMART Storage bonus plans in which you participated prior to the Closing Date. In addition, you must be employed with the Company at the time bonuses are distributed to be eligible to receive any bonus payment under the Plan.

As soon as administratively feasible after you start your employment, the Company will recommend to the duly authorized committee of the Company’s Board of Directors that you be granted [        ] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), which represent the right to receive [        ] shares of the Company’s Common Stock if the applicable vesting requirements are satisfied. RSU shares typically vest 25% per year over four years subject to the satisfaction of the applicable vesting requirements, including without limitation, your continued employment with the Company. Upon approval, specific terms and conditions of the RSU grant will be set forth in a definitive RSU agreement.

Any information contained in this letter that relates to the terms and vesting of an equity award is provided for your convenience only. If you have been provided with an equity award, please refer to your equity award agreement(s), once available, for complete terms and conditions. In the event of a conflict between the information contained in this letter and your equity award agreement(s), the terms contained in your equity award agreement(s) shall prevail.

 

1 Only for employees who have acclerated vesting under current SMART Storage Arrangements.

 

Page 2


In addition, as soon as administratively feasible following the date on which your employment with the Company commences, you will be eligible to participate in the Company’s benefits programs available to U.S. employees, including medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, paid time off, life insurance and disability programs, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans or programs. You will also be eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) Plan and in the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ ESPP ”), subject to the terms and conditions of the respective plans. In order to participate in the ESPP, you must be employed on and enroll by the 15 th business day of the month in February or August to enroll for an applicable six-month time period. The actual date on which you will become eligible to participate in other plans and programs will be determined following the Closing Date.

Upon your commencement of employment with the Company, you will receive full credit for your length of service as an employee of SMART Storage for purposes of paid time off and benefits eligibility under the Company’s benefit plans, subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of the respective plans. This means, for example, with regard to paid time off, your accrual rate at the Company will be determined based on your hire date as an employee with SMART Storage (and not based on the date you become an employee of the Company). Please note that your SMART Storage benefits will continue until you are eligible to enroll and participate in the Company’s benefits.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in your SMART Storage Arrangements, if you are entitled to receive severance payments and/or benefits under any SMART Storage Arrangement prior to the Closing, then during the one (l)-year period immediately following the Closing (the “ Post-Closing Period ”), you will continue to be eligible to receive the same severance benefits upon a qualifying termination of employment that you would have received prior to the Closing, except as otherwise amended by this paragraph. You hereby agree that the changes to your employment described in this Offer Letter shall not provide grounds for your resignation for “good reason” (or any term of similar effect) and shall not constitute a termination without “cause” (or any term of similar effect) under the terms of the SMART Storage Arrangements. In addition, on and following the Closing Date, a resignation of employment by you shall only constitute “good reason” (or any term of similar effect) under any SMART Storage Arrangement if such resignation is due to (i) a material reduction in your base salary (as set forth in this Offer Letter) or (ii) a relocation of your principal office to a location that is more than fifty (50) miles from the location of such office as of the Closing Date. Moreover, you further agree that your entitlement to any severance compensation under the SMART Storage Arrangements will expire in accordance with the specified duration following the Closing Date, after which time you may be eligible for severance compensation under the SanDisk Corporation Severance Pay Plan (“ SanDisk Severance Plan ”) according to the terms of the SanDisk Severance Plan and as so notified by the plan administrator. During the period in which you are entitled to severance compensation under the SMART Storage Arrangements, you will not be eligible to participate in the SanDisk Severance Plan. Effective immediately prior to the Closing Date, the SMART Storage Arrangements will be deemed amended to the extent necessary to reflect this paragraph and to provide that the SMART Storage Arrangements shall terminate automatically upon the expiration of the Post-Closing Period (or, if earlier, upon your termination of employment with the Company).

In addition to the closing of the Acquisition, your employment with the Company is contingent upon the following:

 

    Your ability to show satisfactory proof of identity, authorization to work in the United States, and if applicable, our ability to obtain an export license or other approval that may be required by the U.S. Government. Please bring the appropriate verification documents, as outlined on the back of the Form I-9 contained in this packet, on your first day of employment with the Company. In addition, you will also need to bring the original or a copy of your Social Security Card to verify your name as it is on file with the Social Security Administration. This is important for purposes of payroll processing and end of year withholding statements.

 

Page 3


    Your execution of our Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit A .

 

    Your signed acknowledgement of SanDisk’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and annual acknowledgements thereafter.

Please understand your employment is “at will,” voluntarily entered into and is for no specific period. As a result, you are free to resign at any time, for any reason or for no reason. Similarly, the Company is free to conclude its at-will employment relationship with you at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice. This at-will relationship cannot be altered unless specifically set forth in writing and signed by both you and the CEO of the Company.

This letter (together with its attachment(s)) is the complete agreement regarding your employment terms, and with the exception of agreements relating to proprietary information and assignment of intellectual property rights, will supersede and replace any prior agreements with respect to or in connection with your employment with SMART Storage and/or the Company (written or verbal) between you and SMART Storage and/or you and the Company, including, without limitation, any agreements which may have provided for equity awards, fringe benefits, severance or other termination benefits that may have existed at any time prior to closing of the Acquisition and you hereby waive your right to any such equity awards, fringe benefits, severance or other termination benefits.

In the event that the Acquisition is not consummated, this Offer Letter and all attachments will automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

Page 4


We look forward to having you join our team. We think you will find that the Company provides a unique, rewarding work experience.

Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this offer of employment.

 

 

Tom Baker
Senior Vice President, Human Resources
SanDisk Corporation

 

 

Please indicate acceptance of this offer by faxing or emailing a .pdf of this form and its attachments with your signature(s) to the attention of Tom Baker at tom.baker@sandisk.com or 408-801-8544 .

I agree to and accept the enclosed offer to continue employment with the Company. My start date will be the date of closing of the Acquisition.

 

 

[                    ]

 

Date

This employment relationship is a voluntary one, and you and the Company can terminate this relationship at any time with or without cause and with or without notice.

 

Page 5

Exhibit 10.23

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

Amended and Restated

2017 Share Incentive Plan

Section 1. Purpose . The purpose of the SMART Global Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2017 Share Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) is to promote the interests of SMART Global Holdings, Inc., an exempted company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (together with its successors and assigns, the “ Company ”) and its shareholders by (i) attracting and retaining exceptional executive personnel, employees, directors, and consultants of the Company and its Affiliates (as defined below); (ii) motivating employees, consultants and directors by means of performance related incentives to achieve longer range performance goals; and (iii) enabling employees, consultants and directors to participate in the long term growth and financial success of the Company. The Plan amends and restates in its entirety the Company’s Amended and Restated 2011 Share Incentive Plan effective as of the business day prior to the IPO Date (as defined below) (the “ Effective Date ”).

Section 2. Definitions . As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(a) “ Affiliate ” means with respect to any Person, (i) any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person and any entity that is, directly or indirectly, controlled by the Company and (ii) any other entity in which such Person has a significant equity interest or which has a significant equity interest in such Person, in either case as determined by the Committee. For purposes of this definition, the terms “control” (including with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) when used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of any Incentive Share Option, “Affiliate” shall mean any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code.

(b) “ Award ” means any Option, SAR, Restricted Share Award, Restricted Share Unit, Performance Award, Other Cash-Based Award, or Other Share-Based Award,.

(c) “ Award Agreement ” means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing any Award, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by a Participant.

(d) “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(e) “ Cause ” means, unless otherwise defined in any Employment Agreement or Award Agreement:

 

  (i) a Participant’s willful and continued failure substantially to perform his or her duties (other than as a result of total or partial incapacity due to physical or mental illness);

 

Page 1 of 35


  (ii) a Participant’s gross negligence or willful malfeasance in the performance of his or her duties;

 

  (iii) a Participant’s commission of an act constituting fraud, embezzlement, or any other act constituting a felony or other similar offense under the laws of the United States, the Cayman Islands or any other jurisdiction in which the Company conducts business;

 

  (iv) a Participant being repeatedly under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while performing his or her duties; or

 

  (v) any other act or omission which is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of the Company or any of its Affiliates as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Company, including a Participant’s breach of the provisions of any non-solicitation, non-competition, trade secret or confidentiality covenant in favor of the Company or its Affiliates binding upon such Participant.

The existence or non-existence of Cause with respect to any Participant will be determined in good faith by the Board.

 

  (f) Change in Control ” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

 

  (i) the sale or disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than to the Silver Lake Investors or any of their respective Affiliates; or

 

  (ii) any person or group, other than any of the Silver Lake Investors or any of their respective Affiliates, is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the Company, including by way of merger, amalgamation or consolidation or otherwise.

 

  (g) Code ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

  (h) Committee ” means a committee of one or more members of the Board and/or officers designated by the Board to administer the Plan. The full Board may act as the Committee under the Plan.

 

  (i) Consultant ” means any natural person, including an advisor, who is a consultant or advisor to the Company or an Affiliate.

 

  (j) Director ” means a member of the Board.

 

Page 2 of 35


(k) “ Disability ” shall mean “permanent and total disability” as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(l) “ Employee ” means an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(m) “ Employment Agreement ” means an employment or severance and change of control agreement or other similar agreement entered into between a Participant and the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(n) “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(o) “ Exercise Price ” means the purchase price of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement.

(p) “ Fair Market Value ” means, as of any date, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the value of a Share determined as follows: (i) if there should be a public market for the Shares on such date, the closing market price of the Shares as reported on such date (or such date is not a trading date, on the immediately preceding date on which sales of the Shares have been so reported), or (ii) if there should not be a public market for the Shares on such date, then Fair Market Value shall be the price determined in good faith by the Committee.

(q) “ Incentive Share Option ” means a right to purchase Shares from the Company that is granted under Section 6 of the Plan and that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.

(r) “ IPO Date ” means the effective date of the first registration statement that is filed by the Company and declared effective pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, with respect to any class of the Company’s securities.

(s) “ Non-Qualified Share Option ” means a right to purchase Shares from the Company that is granted under Section 6 of the Plan and that is not intended to be an Incentive Share Option.

(t) “ Option ” means an Incentive Share Option or a Non-Qualified Share Option.

(u) “ Other Cash-Based Award ” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 10, including cash awarded as a bonus or upon the attainment of specified performance criteria or otherwise as permitted under the Plan.

(v) “ Other Share-Based Award ” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 11 that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Shares or factors that may influence the value of Shares, including convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Shares, purchase rights for Shares, dividend rights or dividend equivalent rights or Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or business units thereof or any other factors designated by the Committee.

 

Page 3 of 35


(w) “ Participant ” means a Person granted an Award under the Plan (and to the extent applicable, any heirs or legal representatives thereof).

(x) “ Performance Award ” shall mean an Award subject, in part, to the terms, conditions and restrictions described in Section 9, pursuant to which the recipient may become entitled to receive cash, Shares or other property, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee.

(y) “ Performance Period ” means the period established by the Committee with respect to any Performance Award during which the performance goals specified by the Committee with respect to such Award are to be measured.

(z) “ Person ” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

(aa) “ Restricted Share Award ” shall mean an Award of Shares that are issued subject to any applicable terms, conditions and restrictions described in Section 8.

(bb) “ Restricted Share Units ” or “ RSUs ” shall mean an Award of the right to receive either (as the Committee determines) Shares or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the settlement or payment date, subject to to any applicable terms, conditions and restrictions described in Section 8.

(cc) “ Rule 16b-3 ” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

(dd) “ SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

(ee) “ Section 162(m) ” shall mean §162(m) of the Code, any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, as they may exist or may be amended from time to time, or any successor to such section.

(ff) “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(gg) “ Shares ” means the ordinary shares in the authorized capital of the Company or such other securities as may be designated by the Committee from time to time.

(hh) “ Silver Lake Investors ” means, collectively, (i) Silver Lake Partners III Cayman (AIV III), L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, Silver Lake Technology Investors III Cayman, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted partnership and any of their respective Affiliates, designated transferees or successors that hold Shares, and (ii) Silver Lake Sumeru Fund Cayman, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, Silver Lake Technology Investors Sumeru Cayman, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted partnership and any of their respective Affiliates, designated transferees or successors that hold Shares.

 

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(ii) “ Share Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” shall mean an Award of a right to receive (without payment to the Company) cash, Shares or other property, or other forms of payment, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee, based on the increase in the value of the number of Shares specified in the Share Appreciation Right. Share Appreciation Rights are subject to any applicable terms, conditions and restrictions described in Section 7.

(jj) “ Substitute Awards ” means Awards granted in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines.

Section 3. Administration.

(a) Authority of Committee . The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan, applicable law and contractual restrictions affecting the Company, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority to:

 

  (i) designate Participants;

 

  (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant and the exercise price or purchase price, if applicable;

 

  (iii) determine the number of Shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards;

 

  (iv) determine the terms and conditions (including the vesting schedule, if any) of any Award and Award Agreement;

 

  (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited or suspended;

 

  (vi) determine whether to cancel an Option or SAR in exchange for the grant of a new Award or for cash, including to the extent such action would have the effect of reducing the exercise price of such Option or SAR;

 

  (vii) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, other property, and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the Committee;

 

  (viii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the Plan;

 

  (ix) establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and

 

  (x) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

 

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(b) Committee Composition . If the Board in its discretion deems it advisable, the Board may provide that the Committee may consist solely of (i) Directors who are independent, within the meaning of and to the extent required by applicable rulings and interpretations of the applicable stock market or exchange on which the Shares are or traded, (ii) two or more “Outside Directors” as defined in the regulations under Section 162(m) of the Code and/or (iii) two or more “Non-Employee Directors” as defined in Rule 16b-3. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board or the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company some or all of its authority under the Plan, including the authority to grant Options and SARs or other Awards in the form of Shares (except that such delegation shall not be applicable to any Award for a Person then covered by Section 16 of the Exchange Act), and the Committee may delegate to one or more committees of the Board (which may consist of solely one Director) some or all of its authority under the Plan, including the authority to grant all types of Awards, in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Committee Discretion Binding . Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, any of its Affiliates, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, any shareholder and any Employee. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan in the manner and to the extent the Committee deems necessary or desirable.

Section 4. Shares Available For Awards .

(a) Shares Available . Subject to adjustment as provided in this Section, the number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan on and following the Effective Date shall be 1,500,000, plus an annual increase on the first day of each fiscal year during the term of the Plan beginning with the fiscal year starting September 1, 2017 and continuing for ten fiscal years (ending with the fiscal year starting September 1, 2026), in each case in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 1,500,000 shares, (ii) 2.5% of the number of shares of the ordinary shares outstanding on such date, or (iii) an amount determined by the Board. In addition, if, on or after the Effective Date, any Shares covered by an Award granted under the Plan (including any Awards granted prior to the Effective Date and outstanding as of the Effective Date, as well as any Substitute Award) or to which such an Award relates are forfeited, or if such an Award is settled for cash or otherwise terminates or is canceled without the delivery of Shares, then the Shares covered by such Award, or to which such Award relates, shall again become Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted. In addition, Shares tendered in satisfaction or partial satisfaction of the exercise price of any Award or any tax withholding obligations will again become Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted. All of the Shares reserved under the Plan may be designated as Incentive Share Options. Shares issued under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares.

 

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(b) Section 162(m) Limitations . Subject to the provisions below relating to adjustments upon changes in the shares of the ordinary shares, no Participant shall be granted during any calendar year (i) Options and SARs covering more than 2,000,000 Shares, (ii) Performance Awards denominated in Shares covering more than 1,000,000 Shares, and (iii) with respect to any Performance Award or Cash-Based Award denominated by dollar value, $10,000,000 during any calendar year.

(c) Non-Employee Director Limits . Subject to the provisions below relating to adjustments upon changes in the shares of the ordinary shares, during any calendar year, no non-employee Director may be granted (i) Award(s) (denominated in Shares) with a grant date fair value exceeding $750,000 or (ii) Award(s) denominated in cash in excess of $750,000.

(d) Adjustments . In the event of any change in the outstanding Shares by reason of any Share dividend, Share split, reverse Share split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, spin-off, combination, transaction or exchange of Shares, or other corporate exchange, or any cash dividend or distribution to shareholders other than ordinary cash dividends or any transaction similar to the foregoing, the Committee shall make such proportionate substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems to be equitable, as to (i) the number or kind of Shares or other securities issued or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan, including any individual or other limits set forth in this Section, or pursuant to outstanding Awards, (ii) the Exercise Price of any Option and/or (iii) any other affected terms of outstanding Awards; provided , that, for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of the occurrence of any of the foregoing events that is an “equity restructuring” (within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Section 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (FASB ASC 718)), the Committee shall make an equitable adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such event; and provided , further, that in the case of any Share dividend, Share split or reverse split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification or other distribution of the Company’s equity securities with respect to the Shares without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Committee shall make a proportionate adjustment.

(e) Substitute Awards . Any Shares underlying Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan and shall, subject to existing corporate authorities, increase the number of Shares available for issuance hereunder, unless determined otherwise by the Committee.

Section 5. Eligibility .

(a) General . Any Employee, Consultant or Director shall be eligible to be selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the Plan.

(b) Incentive Share Options . Only Employees who are U.S. taxpayers shall be eligible for the grant of Incentive Share Options.

(c) Non-Employee Directors . Awards may be granted to Non-Employee Directors in accordance with the policies established from time to time by the Board or the Committee specifying the number of shares (if any) to be subject to each such Award and the time(s) at which such awards shall be granted. Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors shall be on terms and conditions determined by the Board or the Committee, subject to the provisions of the Plan.

 

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Section 6. Options .

(a) Grants . The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants with the terms and conditions set forth in this Section and with such additional terms and conditions, in either case not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine.

(b) Type of Option . The Committee shall have the authority to grant Incentive Share Options to U.S. taxpayers or to grant Non-Qualified Share Options to any Participant, or both. In the case of Incentive Share Options, the terms and conditions of such grants shall be subject to and comply with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code, as from time to time amended, or any successor provision thereto, and any regulations implementing such statute.

(c) Exercise Price . The Committee in its sole discretion shall establish the Exercise Price at the time each Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Exercise Price of any Option granted shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value at the time the Option is granted.

(d) Exercise . Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement or thereafter. The Committee may impose such conditions with respect to the exercise of Options, including without limitation, any relating to the application of U.S. federal or state securities laws, or those of any other jurisdiction, as it may deem necessary or advisable.

(e) Payment . No Shares shall be delivered pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the exercise price is received by the Company, together with any documentation required by the Company and any applicable taxes. Such payment may be made:

 

  (i) in cash;

 

  (ii) if approved by the Committee, in Shares (the value of such Shares shall be their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise) owned by the Participant for the period required to avoid a charge to the Company’s earnings;

 

  (iii) if approved by the Committee, by a combination of the foregoing;

 

  (iv) if approved by the Committee, in accordance with a broker-assisted cashless exercise program; or

 

  (v) if approved by the Committee, through net settlement in Shares; or

 

  (vi) in such other manner as permitted by the Committee at the time of grant or thereafter.

 

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Section 7. Share Appreciation Rights .

(a) The Committee may grant Share Appreciation Rights pursuant to this Section, with such additional terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.

(b) The Committee shall determine the number of Shares to be subject to each Award of Share Appreciation Rights. Share Appreciation Rights shall have an exercise or base price no less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares covered by the right on the date of grant.

(c) Any Share Appreciation Right may be exercised during its term only at such time or times and in such installments as the Committee may establish and shall not be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date it is granted.

(d) An Award of Share Appreciation Rights shall entitle the holder to exercise such Award and to receive from the Company in exchange thereof, without payment to the Company, that number of Shares or cash having an aggregate value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one Share, at the time of such exercise, over the exercise price, times the number of Shares subject to the Award, or portion thereof, that is so exercised or surrendered, as the case may be.

(e) No grant of SARs may be accompanied by a tandem award of dividend equivalents or provide for dividends, dividend equivalents or other distributions to be paid on such SARs (except as provided under Section 4(d)).

Section 8. Restricted Share Awards and Restricted Share Units .

(a) The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Share Awards and Restricted Share Units (or RSUs) pursuant to this Section, with such additional terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.

(b) The Committee shall determine the number of Shares to be issued to a Participant pursuant to Restricted Share Award or Restricted Share Units, and the extent, if any, to which they shall be issued in exchange for cash, other consideration, or both. The Award Agreement shall specify the vesting schedule and, with respect to RSUs, the delivery schedule (which may include deferred delivery later than the vesting date).

(c) The Committee may, in its discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement that any or all dividends, dividend equivalents or other distributions, as applicable, paid on Restricted Share Awards or RSUs prior to vesting or settlement, as applicable, be paid either in cash or in additional Shares and either on a current or deferred basis (and may be subject to the same vesting restrictions as the underlying Award) and that such dividends, dividend equivalents or other distributions may be reinvested in additional Shares, which may be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends and dividend equivalents with respect to Restricted Share Awards and Restricted Share Units that are granted as Performance Awards shall vest only if and to the extent that the underlying Performance Award vests, as determined by the Committee.

 

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(d) If, and to the extent that, the Committee intends that an Award granted under this Section shall qualify under Section 162(m), such Award shall be structured in accordance with the requirements of Section 9 below, including the performance criteria set forth therein and the Award limitations set forth in Section 5, and any such Award shall be considered a Performance Award for purposes of the Plan.

Section 9. Performance-Based Awards .

(a) Grant . Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 4, the Committee may grant a Performance Award which shall consist of a right that is (i) denominated and/or payable in cash, Shares or any other form of Award issuable under this Plan (or any combination thereof) (other than Options or Share Appreciation Rights), (ii) valued, as determined by the Committee, in accordance with the achievement of such performance goals applicable to such Performance Periods as the Committee shall establish and (iii) payable at such time and in such form as the Committee shall determine. The Committee may award Performance Awards that are intended to be performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).

(b) Terms and Conditions . For Performance Awards intended to be performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), the Performance Awards shall be conditioned upon the achievement of pre-established goals relating to one or more of the following performance measures, as determined in writing by the Committee and subject to such modifications as specified by the Committee: cash flow; cash flow from operations; earnings (including, but not limited to, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization or some variation thereof); earnings per share, diluted or basic; earnings per share from continuing operations; net asset turnover; inventory turnover; capital expenditures; debt; debt reduction; working capital; return on investment; return on sales; net or gross sales; market share; economic value added; cost of capital; change in assets; expense reduction levels; productivity; delivery performance; safety record and/or performance; environmental record and/or performance; share price; return on equity; total or relative increases to shareholder return; return on invested capital; return on assets or net assets; revenue; income or net income; operating income or net operating income; operating profit or net operating profit; gross margin, operating margin or profit margin; and completion of acquisitions, business expansion, product diversification, new or expanded market penetration, and other non-financial operating and management performance objectives. To the extent consistent with Section 162(m), the Committee may determine that certain adjustments shall apply, in whole or in part, in such manner as determined by the Committee, to exclude or include the effect of specified events that occur during a Performance Period. Performance measures may be determined either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or subsidiary entity thereof, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured over a period of time including any portion of a year, annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous fiscal years’ results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Committee.

(c) Preestablished Performance Goals . For Performance Awards intended to be performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), performance goals relating to the performance measures set forth above shall be preestablished in writing by the Committee, and achievement thereof certified in writing prior to payment of the Award, as required by Section

 

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162(m) and regulations promulgated thereunder. All such performance goals shall be established in writing no later than ninety (90) days after the beginning of the applicable Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) and regulations promulgated thereunder). In addition to establishing minimum performance goals below which no compensation shall be payable pursuant to a Performance Award, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may create a performance schedule under which an amount less than or more than the target award may be paid so long as the performance goals have been achieved.

(d) Additional Restrictions/Negative Discretion . Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as Section 162(m) Compensation shall be settled only after the end of the relevant Performance Period. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may also establish such additional restrictions or conditions that must be satisfied as a condition precedent to the payment of all or a portion of any Performance Awards. Such additional restrictions or conditions need not be performance-based and may include, among other things, the receipt by a Participant of a specified annual performance rating, the continued employment by the Participant and/or the achievement of specified performance goals by the Company, business unit or Participant. Furthermore, and notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may retain the discretion to reduce the amount of any Performance Award to a Participant if it concludes that such reduction is necessary or appropriate; provided , however , the Committee shall not use its discretionary authority to increase any Performance Award that is intended to be performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).

(e) Payment or Settlement of Performance Awards . Performance Awards may be paid or settled, as applicable, in a lump sum or in installments following the close of the Performance Period or, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee and compliant with Section 162(m), on a deferred or accelerated basis.

Section 10. Other Cash-Based Awards .

(a) Terms and Conditions . The Committee may grant Other Cash-Based Awards in the form of cash bonus or cash incentive awards, which may but need not be valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares. Subject to the terms of this Plan and any applicable Award agreement, the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Other Cash-Based Award.

Section 11. Other Share-Based Awards .

(a) Terms and Conditions . The Committee may grant Other Share-Based Awards, which shall consist of any right that is (i) not an Award described in Sections 6 through 9 above and (ii) an Award of Shares or an Award denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of this Plan. Subject to the terms of this Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Other Share-Based Award.

 

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Section 12. Effect Of Termination Of Employment Or Service .

(a) Termination of Employment or Service . Except as the Committee may otherwise provide at the time the Award is granted or thereafter, or as required to comply with applicable law, if a Participant’s employment or service with the Company and its Affiliates is terminated by Participant or by the Company for any reason (other than death or Disability or by the Company for Cause), then vesting shall immediately cease and, to the extent vested as of the date of termination, an Award may be retained and, if applicable, exercised until the earlier of (i) the date three months (or such longer or shorter period, if any, specified in the applicable Award Agreement or Employment Agreement) after such termination of employment or service or (ii) the date such Award would have expired had it not been for the termination of employment or service, after which time, in either case, the Award shall expire.

(b) Death or Disability . Except as the Committee may otherwise provide at the time the Award is granted or thereafter, or as required to comply with applicable law, if a Participant’s employment or service with the Company and its Affiliates is terminated by reason of death or Disability, then vesting shall immediately cease and, to the extent vested as of the date of termination, the Award may be retained and, if applicable, exercised by the Participant or his successor (if employment or service is terminated by death) until the earlier of (i) the date one year after such termination of employment or service or (ii) the date such Award would have expired had it not been for the termination of such employment or service, after which time, in either case, the Award shall expire.

(c) Cause . Except as the Committee may otherwise provide at the time the Award is granted or thereafter, or as required to comply with applicable law, if a Participant’s employment or service with the Company and its Affiliates is terminated by the Company or an Affiliate for Cause, all Awards held by such Participant shall be forfeited and shall expire immediately on the date of termination.

Section 13. Amendment and Termination .

(a) Amendment or Termination of the Plan . The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided that (i) no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without shareholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement with which the Board deems it necessary or desirable to qualify or comply and (ii) any amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, or termination that would adversely affect the rights of a Participant with respect to any outstanding Award shall not to that extent be effective with respect to such Award without the consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary, except as otherwise provided in Section 14 below or elsewhere in the Plan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Committee may amend the Plan in such manner as may be necessary so as to have the Plan conform with local rules and regulations in any jurisdiction outside the United States.

(b) Amendment or Termination of Awards . Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or

 

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retroactively; provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would adversely affect the rights of a Participant shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary, except as otherwise provided in Section 14 below or elsewhere in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement.

Section 14. Corporate Transactions .

(a) Change in Control . Any provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event of a Change in Control, the Committee, in its sole discretion, (i) may cause any outstanding Award to be (A) continued by the Company, (B) assumed, or substituted with a substantially equivalent award, by the successor company (or its parent or any of its subsidiaries), (C) accelerated with respect to vesting and/or exercisability, as applicable, or (D) canceled in consideration of a cash payment or alternative Award, if applicable, made to the holder of such canceled Award equal in value to the excess, if any, of the value of the consideration to be paid in the Change in Control transaction, directly or indirectly, to holders of the same number of Shares subject to such Award (the “ Deal Consideration ”) (or if no consideration is paid in any such transaction, the Fair Market Value of such canceled Award) over the aggregate exercise price; provided, however , that the Committee may determine that only holders of vested Awards shall receive any such cash payment or alternative Award; and further provided , that any Award with an aggregate exercise price that equals or exceeds the Deal Consideration (or if no consideration is paid in any such transaction, the Fair Market Value of such canceled Award) shall be canceled without payment or consideration thereof; or (ii) may take any other action or actions with respect to the outstanding Awards that it deems appropriate, which need not be uniform with respect to all Participants and/or Awards. Any Award (or any portion thereof) not continued or assumed by the Company or the successor company (or its parent or any of its subsidiaries), as applicable, pursuant to the foregoing shall terminate on such Change in Control and the holder thereof shall be entitled to no consideration for such Award.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation . In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, then all outstanding Awards shall terminate immediately prior to such event.

Section 15. General Provisions .

(a) Clawback Policy . Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Award granted under the Plan which is or becomes subject to recovery under any Company policy, or pursuant to any law, regulation or stock exchange listing requirement, shall be subject to such deductions, recoupment, and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant thereto.

(b) Dividend Equivalents . In the sole and complete discretion of the Committee, an Award may provide the Participant with dividends or dividend equivalents, payable in cash, Shares, other securities or other property on a current or deferred basis.

(c) Nontransferability of Awards . Except to the extent otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or as determined by the Committee (except with respect to Incentive Share Options), no Award shall be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

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(d) No Rights to Awards . No Employee, Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Employees, Participants, or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

(e) Lock-up Period . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Shares shall not be issued under this Plan unless the Participant agrees that he or she will not sell, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, any Shares (or other securities of the Company) held by the Participant prior to the date 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement with respect to any underwritten public offering by the Company of its securities as requested by the managing underwriters for such offering.

(f) Shares . No certificates will be issued in respect of the Shares unless the Board determines otherwise. Shares may be issued of record in the name of the Participant and registered on the Register of Members of the Company or otherwise as permitted by applicable law.

(g) Withholding . As a condition to the issuance of any Shares in satisfaction of an Award, a Participant may be required to pay to the Company or any of its Affiliates, and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized (i) to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, in each case if permissible under local law) of any applicable taxes, social contributions or other amounts required by applicable law in respect of the grant, exercise, lapse or vesting of an Award or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan, including net share withholding up to the statutory maximum amount, and (ii) to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such amounts.

(h) Award Agreements . Each Award hereunder may be evidenced by an Award Agreement which shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto.

(i) No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements . Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other compensation arrangements.

(j) No Right to Employment . The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or any Affiliate and shall not lessen or affect the right of the Company or its Affiliates to terminate the employment or service of a Participant.

(k) Rights as a Shareholder . Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award, no Participant or holder or beneficiary of any Award shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares to be issued under the Plan until he or she has become the holder of such Shares.

 

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(l) Governing Law . The validity, construction and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands, without, to the fullest extent permissible thereby, application of the conflict of law principles thereof.

(m) Severability . If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

(n) Other Laws . The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Shares or other consideration under an Award if, acting in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Shares or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation or entitle the Company to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant in connection therewith shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Award granted hereunder is, nor shall be construed as, an offer to sell securities of the Company, and no such offer shall be outstanding, unless and until the Committee in its sole discretion has determined that any such offer, if made, would be in compliance with all applicable requirements of the laws of the Cayman Islands, the U.S. federal securities laws and any other laws to which such offer, if made, would be subject.

(o) No Trust or Fund Created . Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.

(p) No Fractional Shares . No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash or other securities or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.

(q) Headings . Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.

(r) Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement . Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, a Participant shall, as a condition precedent to the exercise or settlement of an Award, have executed and be in compliance with the Company’s (or its Affiliate’s) standard form of confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement.

 

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(s) Modification of Award Terms for non-U.S. Participants . The Committee shall have the discretion and authority to grant Awards with such modified terms as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with the laws of the country in which the Participant resides or is employed, and the Committee may establish a subplan under this Plan for such purposes.

(t) Data Protection . By participating in the Plan, the Participant consents to the holding and processing of personal information provided by the Participant to the Company or any Affiliate, trustee or third party service provider, for all purposes relating to the operation of the Plan. These include, but are not limited to:

(1) administering and maintaining Participant records;

(2) providing information to the Company, any Affiliate, trustees of any employee benefit trust, registrars, brokers or third party administrators of the Plan;

(3) providing information to future purchasers or merger partners of the Company or any Affiliate, or the business in which the Participant works; and

(4) transferring information about the Participant to any country or territory that may not provide the same protection for the information as the Participant’s home country.

(u) Company Governing Instruments . All Shares issued and/or vested pursuant to an Award or Substitute Award, or transferred thereafter, shall be held subject to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company.

Section 16. Term of The Plan .

The Plan shall remain in effect until May 18, 2027, unless terminated earlier by the Board under the terms of the Plan. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award granted hereunder may, and the authority of the Board or the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under any such Award shall, continue after the authority for grant of new Awards hereunder has been exhausted.

Section 17. Section 409A and 457 .

It is intended that the Company grant Awards under the Plan that are exempt from, or comply with, Sections 409A and 457 of the Code. Notwithstanding other provisions of this Plan or any Award Agreements hereunder, no Award shall be granted, deferred, accelerated, extended, paid out or modified under this Plan in a manner that would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon a Participant. In the event that it is reasonably determined by the Committee that, as a result of Section 409A of the Code, payments in respect of any Award under the Plan may not be made at the time contemplated by the terms of the Plan or the relevant Award Agreement, as the case may be, without causing the Participant holding such Award to be subject to taxation under Section 409A of the Code, the Company will

 

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make such payment on the first day that would not result in the Participant incurring any tax liability under Section 409A of the Code. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to implement the provisions of this Section in good faith; provided that neither the Company, the Committee nor any of the Company’s employees, directors or representatives shall have any liability to any Participant with respect to this Section.

 

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Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement

under the

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

Amended and Restated 2017 Share Incentive Plan

Date of Grant:

Name of Participant:

Number of Units/Shares: [XX]

SMART Global Holdings, Inc., an exempted company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “ Company ”), hereby grants the number of restricted share units (each representing the right to receive an ordinary share of the company (the “ Shares ”)) set forth above (the “ RSUs ”), as of the date of grant set forth above (the “ Grant Date ”), to the above-named participant (“ Participant ”) pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2017 Share Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) and subject to the terms and conditions thereof and hereof, in consideration for your services to the Company.

Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings as in the Plan. The terms and conditions of this Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (this “ Agreement ”), to the extent not controlled by the terms and conditions contained in the Plan, are as follows:

1. Vesting . The RSU shall vest and the Shares shall become issuable as follows: [                      ]

2. Forfeiture of Unvested RSUs . Immediately upon termination of Participant’s service for any reason (including death or disability), any unvested RSUs shall be forfeited without consideration.

3. Conversion into Ordinary Shares .

(a) Subject to subsection (b) hereof, Shares issuable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement will be issued on, or as soon as practicable following, the applicable vesting date of the RSUs. As a condition to such issuance, Participant shall have satisfied his or her tax withholding obligations as specified in this Agreement and shall have completed, signed and returned any documents and taken any additional action that the Company deems appropriate to enable it to accomplish the delivery of the Shares. In no event will the Company be obligated to issue a fractional share. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Shares during any period when the Company determines that the conversion of a RSU or the delivery of shares hereunder would violate any federal, state or other applicable laws and/or may issue shares subject to any restrictive legends that, as determined by the Company’s counsel, is necessary to comply with securities or other regulatory requirements, and (ii) the date on which shares are issued may include a delay in order to provide the Company such time as it determines appropriate to address tax withholding and other administrative matters.

 

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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may require an opinion of counsel acceptable to it to the effect that any subsequent transfer of Shares issued upon the vesting of the RSUs does not violate the Securities Act, and may issue stop-transfer orders covering such Shares.

4. Tax Treatment . Any withholding tax liabilities (whether as a result of federal, state or other law and whether for the payment and satisfaction of any income tax, social security tax, payroll tax, or payment on account of other tax related to withholding obligations that arise by reason of the RSUs) incurred in connection with the RSUs becoming vested and Shares issued, or otherwise incurred in connection with the RSUs, shall be satisfied in one of the following manners as permitted by the Plan, at the election of Participant unless otherwise determined by the Company: (i) by the Company withholding a number of Shares that would otherwise be issued under the RSUs that the Company determines have a fair market value approximately equal to the amount of taxes that the Company concludes it is required to withhold (up to the statutory maximum) under applicable law or regulation (or such greater amount as may be permitted by the Company to the extent it determines such action would not result in adverse accounting consequences to the Company); or (ii) by payment by Participant to the Company in cash or by check in an amount equal to the amount of taxes that the Company concludes it is required to withhold under applicable law or regulation (which amount shall be due on the first business day following the day the tax event arises unless otherwise determined by the Company). If the Shares are publicly traded at the time of the tax withholding event, the Company may permit or require the automatic sale by Participant of a number of Shares that are issued under the RSUs, which the Company determines is sufficient to generate an amount that meets the tax withholding obligations under applicable law or regulation, plus additional shares to account for rounding and market fluctuations, and payment of such tax withholding to the Company, and such Shares may be sold as part of a block trade with other Plan participants, Without limiting the foregoing, Participant hereby authorizes the Company to withhold such tax withholding amount from any amounts owing to Participant to the Company and to take any action necessary in accordance with this paragraph.

5. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Participant acknowledges and agrees that he is responsible for all taxes that arise in connection with the RSUs becoming vested and Shares being issued or otherwise incurred in connection with the RSUs, regardless of any action the Company takes pursuant to this Section. The RSUs are intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code under the short-term deferral exemption thereof, and therefore the Shares shall in no event be issued more than two and  1 2 months following the end of the taxable year of Participant or the Company (whichever is later) in which the corresponding RSUs become vested.

6. Lock-up Period . Participant agrees that the Company (or a representative of the underwriter(s)) may, in connection with any underwritten registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, require that Participant not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, any Shares or other securities of

 

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the Company held by Participant, for a period of time specified by the underwriter(s) (not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days) following the effective date of the registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided that transactions pursuant to Section 4 hereof shall be exempt from any such lock-up request. Participant further agrees to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company and/or the underwriter(s) that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to Participant’s Shares until the end of such period. The underwriters of the Company’s shares are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

7. Restrictions on Transfer of Shares . Participant understands and agrees that the RSUs may not be sold, given, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise hypothecated by the holder. In addition, Participant understands and agrees that any Shares are subject to the applicable restrictions on transfer set forth in the Plan.

8. Certificates . Certificates issued in respect of the Shares shall, unless the Committee otherwise determines, be registered in the name of Participant and may be in electronic form. Such share certificate shall carry such appropriate legends, and such written instructions shall be given to the Company transfer agent, as may be deemed necessary or advisable by counsel to the Company in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, any state securities laws or any other applicable laws.

9. Shareholder Rights . Participant will have no voting or other rights as the Company’s other shareholders with respect to the Shares until issuance of the Shares.

10. No Employment/Service Rights . Neither this Agreement nor the grant of the RSUs hereby confers on Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Affiliate or interferes in any way with the right of the Company or any Affiliate to determine the terms of Participant’s employment or service.

11. [Data Privacy] 1 .

(a) The Participant hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of the Participant’s personal data as described in this document by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Affiliates (including any of their respective payroll administrators), wherever they may be located, (collectively, the “Data Recipients”) for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Participant understands that the Data Recipients will collect, hold, and process certain personal information about the Participant (including, without limitation, name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, nationality and job detail and details of the Award granted hereunder and any other Award granted to the Participant).

 

1   To be included for applicable Participants. In certain countries, provisions from option agreement or otherwise advised by local counsel may also be included.

 

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(b) The Data Recipients will treat the Participant’s personal data as private and confidential and will not disclose such data for purposes other than the management and administration of the Participant’s participation in the Plan and will take reasonable measures to keep such personal data private, confidential, accurate and current.

(c) Where the transfer is to a destination outside the jurisdiction in which the Participant resides, the Company and its Affiliates (including any of their respective payroll administrators) shall take reasonable steps to ensure that such personal data continues to be adequately protected and securely held. Nonetheless, by accepting the Award granted hereunder, the Participant acknowledges that personal information about the Participant may be transferred to a jurisdiction that does not offer the same level of protection as the jurisdiction in which the Participant resides. The Participant understands that he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting his or her local human resources representative. The Participant authorizes the recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom he or she may elect to deposit any Shares of stock acquired upon exercise of this Award. The Participant understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan.

(d) The Participant may, at any time, view their personal data, require any necessary corrections to it or withdraw the consent referenced in this Section 5.6 by contacting the Secretary of the Company. The Participant understands, however, that refusing or withdrawing his or her consent may affect his or her ability to participate in the Plan. For more information on the processing of personal data, including the consequences of the Participant’s refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, the Participant understands that he or she may contact his or her local human resources representative. [If you are a Malaysian Participant, a translation in Malay of this Section is attached hereto as Annex A.].

12. Terms of Plan, Interpretations . This Agreement and the terms and conditions herein set forth are subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which shall be controlling. All interpretations or determinations of the Committee and/or the Board shall be binding and conclusive upon Participant and his legal representatives on any question arising hereunder. Participant acknowledges that he has received and reviewed a copy of the Plan.

13. Notices . All notices hereunder to the party shall be delivered or mailed to the following addresses:

If to the Company:

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.

c/o SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.

Attn: Stock Plan Administrator

39870 Eureka Drive

Newark, California 94560

 

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If to Participant:

At the address specified on the signature page or the last address for Participant in the Company’s records.

Such addresses for the service of notices may be changed at any time provided notice of such change is furnished in advance to the other party.

14. Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. This Agreement together with the Plan supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

15. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands, without application of the conflict of laws principles thereof.

16. Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

SMART GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  
Name:    
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

PARTICIPANT:
By:    
Name:  
Address:    
   

 

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FORM OF OPTION AGREEMENT

THIS OPTION AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”), made by and between SMART Global Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Saleen Holdings, Inc.), a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “ Company ”), and              (the “ Optionee ”), is effective as of              (the “ Grant Date ”). Any capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the SMART Global Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2017 Share Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”).

WHEREAS, as an incentive for the Optionee’s efforts during the Optionee’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates, the Company wishes to afford the Optionee the opportunity to purchase a number of Shares, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to carry out the Plan, the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement, pursuant to which the Committee has instructed the undersigned officers to issue the Option described below.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning set forth in the Plan.

ARTICLE II

GRANT OF OPTIONS

Section 2.1. Grant of Options

For good and valuable consideration, on and as of the Grant Date, the Company irrevocably granted to the Optionee an Option to purchase any part or all of an aggregate number of              Shares, subject to the adjustment as set forth in Section 2.4 hereof (the “Option”).

Section 2.2. Exercise Price

Subject to Section 2.4 hereof, the per Share exercise price of the Shares covered by the Option shall be $[              ] per Share.

Section 2.3. No Guarantee of Employment

Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates,

 

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which are hereby expressly reserved, to terminate the Employment of the Optionee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, subject to the applicable provisions, if any, of the Optionee’s Employment Agreement (if any such agreement is in effect at the time of such termination). For purposes of this Agreement, “ Employment ” shall mean (i) the Optionee’s employment if the Optionee is an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) the Optionee’s services as a Consultant, if the Optionee is a Consultant, and (iii) the Optionee’s services as a non-employee member of the Board or the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of any Affiliate of the Company.

Section 2.4. Adjustments to Option

The Option shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with the Plan.

ARTICLE III

PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

Section 3.1. Vesting and Commencement of Exercisability

(a) Subject to the Optionee’s continued Employment, the Option shall vest and become exercisable as follows: [              ]

(b) No portion of the Option shall vest and become exercisable as to any additional Shares following the termination of the Optionee’s Employment for any reason, and the portion of the Option that is unvested and unexercisable as of the date of such termination shall immediately expire without consideration or payment therefor.

Section 3.2. Expiration of Option

If not previously exercised, the Option shall expire without consideration or payment therefor on the first to occur of the following events:

(a) the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date;

(b) the ninetieth day immediately following the date of the Optionee’s termination of Employment, if the Optionee’s Employment is terminated by the Company or its Affiliates, as applicable, without Cause or by the Optionee for any reason;

(c) the first anniversary of the date that the Optionee’s Employment is terminated due to the Optionee’s death or Disability; or

(d) immediately upon the date of the Optionee’s termination of Employment, if the Optionee’s Employment is terminated by the Company or its Affiliates, as applicable, for Cause.

 

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ARTICLE IV

EXERCISE OF OPTION

Section 4.1. Person Eligible to Exercise

Except as otherwise permitted by the Committee in writing, the Optionee is the only Person that may exercise the exercisable portion of the Option, unless and until the Optionee dies or suffers a Disability. After the Disability or death of the Optionee, the exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option expires under Section 3.2 hereof, be exercised by the Optionee’s personal representative, guardian or by any person empowered to do so under the Optionee’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

Section 4.2. Partial Exercise

Any exercisable portion of an Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised in whole or in part at any time prior to the time when the Option or portion thereof expires under Section 3.2; provided , however , that any whole or partial exercise shall be for whole Shares only.

Section 4.3. Manner of Exercise

An Option, or any exercisable portion thereof, may be exercised solely by delivering to the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal office, all of the following prior to the time when the Option or such portion expires under Section 3.2:

(a) notice in writing signed by the Optionee or the other Person then entitled to exercise the Option or portion thereof, stating that the Option or portion thereof is thereby exercised, such notice complying with all applicable rules established by the Committee;

(b) full payment of the applicable aggregate exercise price (in cash, by check, by wire transfer or by a combination of the foregoing or as otherwise permitted by the Plan and the Committee) for the Shares with respect to which such Option or portion thereof is exercised;

(c) a bona fide written representation and agreement, in a form satisfactory to the Committee, signed by the Optionee or other Person then entitled to exercise such Option or portion thereof, stating that the Shares are being acquired for the Optionee’s own account, for investment and without any present intention of distributing or reselling said Shares or any of them except as may be permitted under the Securities Act, and that the Optionee or other Person then entitled to exercise such Option or portion thereof will indemnify the Company against and hold it free and harmless from any loss, damage, expense or liability resulting to the Company if any sale or distribution of the Shares by such Person is contrary to the representation and agreement referred to above; provided , however , that the Committee may, in its reasonable discretion, take whatever additional actions it deems reasonably necessary to ensure the observance and performance of such representation and agreement and to effect compliance with the Securities Act and any other federal or state securities laws or regulations;

 

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(d) in the event the Option or portion thereof shall be exercised pursuant to Section 4.1 by any Person or Persons other than the Optionee, appropriate proof of the right of such Person or Persons to exercise the Option; and

(e) full payment to the Company or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, of all amounts which, under federal, state, local and/or non-U.S. law, such entity is required to withhold upon exercise of the Option in cash (including by check or wire transfer) or as otherwise permitted by the Plan and the Committee.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may require an opinion of counsel acceptable to it to the effect that any subsequent transfer of Shares acquired on exercise of the Option does not violate the Securities Act, and may issue stop-transfer orders covering such Shares. The written representation and agreement referred to in Section 4.3(c) above shall, however, not be required if the Shares to be issued pursuant to such exercise have been registered under the Securities Act, and such registration is then effective in respect of such Shares.

Section 4.4. Conditions to Issuance of Shares

The Company shall not be required to record the ownership by the Optionee of Shares purchased upon the exercise of an Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:

(a) the obtaining of approval or other clearance from any federal, state, local or non-U.S. governmental agency which the Committee shall, in its reasonable and good faith discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable;

(b) the lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise of the Option as the Committee may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience or as may otherwise be required by applicable law.

Section 4.5. Rights as Shareholder

The Optionee shall not be, and shall not have any of the rights or privileges of, a shareholder of the Company in respect of any Shares purchasable in connection with the Option or any portion thereof unless and until a book entry representing such Shares has been made on the books and records of the Company.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 5.1. Administration

The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee shall be taken in good faith and shall be final and binding upon the Optionee, the Company and all other interested persons. No

 

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member of the Committee shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or the Option. In its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time, and from time to time, exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan and this Agreement.

Section 5.2. Option Not Transferable

Except as otherwise permitted by the Committee in writing, neither the Option nor any interest or right therein or part thereof shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect; provided , however , that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, this Section 5.2 shall not prevent transfers by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

Section 5.3. Notices

Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of its Secretary, and any notice to be given to the Optionee shall be addressed to the Optionee at the most recent address of the Optionee set forth in the personnel records of the Company or any of its Affiliates, as applicable. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 5.3, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice which is required to be given to the Optionee, shall, if the Optionee is then deceased, be given to the Optionee’s personal representative if such representative has previously informed the Company of the representative’s status and address by written notice under this Section 5.3. Any notice shall have been deemed duly given when enclosed in a properly sealed envelope or wrapper addressed as aforesaid, deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.

Section 5.4. Titles; Interpretation

Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement. Defined terms used in this Agreement shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms thereof. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The term “hereunder” shall mean this entire Agreement as a whole unless reference to a specific section or provision of this Agreement is made. Any reference to a Section, subsection and provision is to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

Section 5.5. No Right to Employment or Additional Options or Share Awards

The Option granted hereunder shall impose no obligation on the Company or any Affiliate to continue the Optionee’s Employment and shall not lessen or affect the Company’s or any Affiliate’s right to terminate such Employment. Neither the Optionee nor any other Person shall have any claim to be granted any additional Option or any other Share Award and there is

 

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no obligation under the Plan for uniformity of treatment of Participants, or holders of beneficiaries of Options or other Share Awards. The terms and conditions of the Option granted hereunder or any other Share Award granted under the Plan or otherwise and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto and/or with respect to the Optionee and any other Participant need not be the same (whether or not the Optionee and any such Participant are similarly situated). In addition, except as otherwise provided in the Optionee’s Employment Agreement, if the Optionee ceases to be an employee or other service provider to the Company or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, under no circumstances will the Optionee be entitled to any compensation for any loss of any right or benefit or prospective right or benefit under the Plan which the Optionee might otherwise have enjoyed whether such compensation is claimed by way of damages for wrongful dismissal or other breach of contract or by way of compensation for loss of office or otherwise. By accepting the Option granted hereunder, the Optionee acknowledges and agrees that the Option granted hereunder and any other Options or other Share Awards the Optionee has been awarded under the Plan and any other Options or other Share Awards the Optionee may be grated in the future, even if such Options or other Share Awards are made repeatedly or regularly, and regardless of their amount, (i) are wholly discretionary, are not a term or condition of Employment and do not form part of a or contract of Employment, or any other working arrangement between the Optionee and the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) do not create any contractual entitlement to receive future Options or other Share Awards or to continued Employment, and (iii) do not form part of salary or remuneration for purposes of determining pension payments or any other purposes, including, without limitation, termination indemnities, severance, resignation, redundancy, bonuses, long-term service awards, pension or retirement benefits, or similar payments, except as otherwise required by Applicable Law or as otherwise provided in the Optionee’s Employment Agreement.

Section 5.6. [Data Privacy] 2

(a) The Optionee hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of the Optionee’s personal data as described in this document by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Affiliates, (including any of their respective payroll administrators), wherever they may be located, (collectively, the “ Data Recipients ”) for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Optionee’s participation in the Plan. The Optionee understands that the Data Recipients will collect, hold, and process certain personal information about the Optionee (including, without limitation, name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, nationality and job detail and details of the Option granted hereunder and any other Share Award granted to the Optionee).

(b) The Data Recipients will treat the Optionee’s personal data as private and confidential and will not disclose such data for purposes other than the management and administration of the Optionee’s participation in the Plan and will take reasonable measures to keep such personal data private, confidential, accurate and current.

 

2   To be included for applicable participants.

 

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(c) Where the transfer is to a destination outside the jurisdiction in which the Optionee resides, the Company and its Affiliates (including any of their respective payroll administrators) shall take reasonable steps to ensure that such personal data continues to be adequately protected and securely held. Nonetheless, by accepting the Option granted hereunder, the Optionee acknowledges that personal information about the Optionee may be transferred to a jurisdiction that does not offer the same level of protection as the jurisdiction in which the Optionee resides. The Optionee understands that he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting his or her local human resources representative. The Optionee authorizes the recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Optionee’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom he or she may elect to deposit any Shares of stock acquired upon exercise of this Option. The Optionee understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage the Optionee’s participation in the Plan.

(d) The Optionee may, at any time, view their personal data, require any necessary corrections to it or withdraw the consent referenced in this Section 5.6 by contacting the Secretary of the Company. The Optionee understands, however, that refusing or withdrawing his or her consent may affect his or her ability to participate in the Plan. For more information on the processing of personal data, including the consequences of the Optionee’s refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, the Optionee understands that he or she may contact his or her local human resources representative. [If you are a Malaysian Participant, a translation in Malay of this Section 5.6 is attached hereto as Annex A .] 3

Section 5.7. Nature of Grant

In accepting the grant, the Optionee acknowledges that:

(a) the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is discretionary in nature and it may be modified, amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, unless otherwise provided in the Plan and this Option Agreement;

(b) the grant of this Option is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of options, or benefits in lieu of options, even if options have been granted repeatedly in the past;

(c) all decisions with respect to future option grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;

(d) the Optionee’s participation in the Plan shall not create a right to further employment with the Company or any of its Affiliates and shall not interfere with the ability of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate the Optionee’s Employment at any time with or without cause;

 

3   To be included for applicable participants.

 

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(e) the Optionee is voluntarily participating in the Plan;

(f) this Option is an extraordinary item that does not constitute compensation of any kind for services of any kind rendered to the Company or its Affiliates, and which is outside the scope of the Optionee’s employment contract, if any;

(g) this Option and Option benefit is not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purposes, including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments;

(h) in the event that the Optionee ceases to be an employee, director, or consultant, this Option grant will not be interpreted to form an employment contract or relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates, and furthermore, this Option grant will not be interpreted to form an employment contract with the Company or any of its Affiliates;

(i) the future value of the underlying Shares is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty;

(j) if the underlying Shares do not increase in value, the Option will have no value;

(k) if the Optionee exercises his or her Option and obtains Shares, the value of those Shares acquired upon exercise may increase or decrease in value, even below the exercise price;

(l) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from termination of the Option or diminution in value of the Option or Shares purchased through exercise of the Option resulting from termination of the Optionee’s Employment by the Company or any of its Affiliates (for any reason whatsoever and whether or not in breach of local labor laws) and the Optionee irrevocably releases the Company and its Affiliates from any such claim that may arise; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have arisen, then, by signing this Option Agreement, the Optionee shall be deemed irrevocably to have waived his or her entitlement to pursue such claim;

(m) in the event of involuntary termination of Employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), the Optionee’s right to exercise the Option after termination of Employment, if any, will be measured by the date of termination of the Optionee’s active Employment ( e.g ., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period pursuant to local law), and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law; the Company shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when the Optionee is no longer actively employed for purposes of the Optionee’s Option grant; and

(n) regardless of any action the Company or its Affiliates takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related withholding (“ Tax-Related Items ”), the Optionee acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items legally due by the Optionee is and remains the Optionee’s responsibility, and the Optionee shall pay to and indemnify and keep indemnified the Company and its respective

 

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Affiliates from and against Tax-Related Items that are attributable to the exercise or any benefit derived by the Optionee from any Option and that the Company and/or the Affiliate (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of this Option grant, including the grant, vesting or exercise of this Option, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such exercise and the receipt of any dividends; and (ii) do not commit to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Option to reduce or eliminate the Optionee’s liability for Tax-Related Items.

Section 5.8. Applicability of the Plan

The Option and the Shares issued to the Optionee upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan, to the extent applicable to the Option and such Shares. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

Section 5.9. Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement

The Optionee shall, as a condition precedent to the exercise or settlement of an Award, have executed and be in compliance with the Company’s (or its Affiliate’s) standard form of confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement.

Section 5.10. [Tax Indemnity for U.K. Participants] 4

Solely with respect to U.K. Participants, the Optionee:

(a) shall indemnify the Company and each of its Affiliates in respect of all liability to United Kingdom income tax (including taxation required to be deducted through the PAYE system) and both primary (employees’) and secondary (employers’) national insurance contributions, which arise as a consequence of or in connection with the exercise of any portion of the Option granted hereunder and hereby authorizes the Company or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, to deduct such amounts from any payments which are or, at any time in the future, become due to the Optionee and whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise; and

(b) hereby permits the Company or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, to sell at Fair Market Value such number of Shares allocated or allotted to the Optionee following exercise of any portion of the Option as will provide such entity with an amount equal to the United Kingdom tax for which such entity is obliged under the PAYE regulations to account to H.M. Revenue & Customs in consequence of the exercise of the Option (including, without limitation, primary and secondary national insurance contributions referenced in Section 4.6(a) above).

 

4   To be included for applicable participants.

 

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Section 5.11. [Malaysian Participants] 5

So with respect to Malaysian Participants:

(a) If the Option is subject to Malaysian law, the Optionee shall be responsible to ensure that all payments made or to be made pursuant to the exercise of the Option shall comply with all applicable foreign exchange rules in Malaysia.

(b) The Shares issued to the Optionee under the Plan in Malaysia constitute or relate to an “excluded offer,” “excluded invitation” or “excluded issue” pursuant to Sections 229 and 230 of the Malaysian Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. To the extent applicable or required, copies of the Plan documents may be lodged with the Securities Commission of Malaysia. The Plan documents do not constitute, and may not be used for the purpose of, an offer, or or invitation to acquire, purchase or subscribe or issue of any securities requiring the registration of a prospectus with the Securities Commission in Malaysia under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007.

Section 5.12. Language

If the Optionee has received this or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

Section 5.13. Amendment

This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto, which specifically states that it is amending this Agreement.

Section 5.14. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the Cayman Islands.

Section 5.15. Severability

Any provision of this Agreement which is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without affecting in any way the remaining provisions hereof in such jurisdiction or rendering that or any other provision of this Agreement invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any other jurisdiction.

[ Signature on next page .]

 

5   To be included for applicable participants.

 

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SMART Global Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2017 Share Incentive Plan

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

 

SMART Global Holdings, Inc.
 

 

Name:
Title:
Optionee:
 
Name:

 

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[Annex A] 6

Addendum for Malaysian Participants

Data Privasi

(a) Penerima Opsyen, dengan jelas, bersetuju dengan pengumpulan, penggunaan dan pemindahan data peribadinya, sama ada dalam bentuk elektronik atau bentuk lain, yang terkandung di dalam dokumen ini yang boleh dipakai oleh dan di antara Syarikat dan Anggota Sekutunya tanpa mengira lokasi mereka, hanya untuk tujuan pelaksanaan, pentadbiran dan pengurusan penglibatan Penerima Opsyen dalam Pelan tersebut. Penerima Opsyen faham bahawa Syarikat dan Anggota Sekutunya (termasuk pentadbir gaji mereka masing-masing), tanpa mengira lokasi mereka, (secara kolektif dirujuk sebagai “Penerima-penerima Data”) akan mengumpul, memegang dan memproses data peribadi tertentu Penerima Opsyen (termasuk tetapi tidak terhad, nama, alamat, nombor telefon, tarikh lahir, kewarganegaraan, maklumat pekerjaan dan maklumat mengenai Opsyen yang diberikan di bawah Pelan dan Share Award lain kepada Penerima Opsyen).

(b) Penerima-penerima Data akan menganggap data peribadi Penerima Opsyen sebagai sulit dan rahsia dan tidak akan mendedahkan data tersebut untuk apa-apa tujuan selain daripada tujuan mengurus dan mentadbir penglibatan Penerima Opsyen dalam Pelan tersebut dan akan mengambil langkah yang munasabah untuk memastikan data peribadi tersebut kekal sulit, rahsia, tepat dan terkini.

(c) Di mana data peribadi akan dipindah ke destinasi di luar bidang kuasa di mana Penerima Opsyen menetap, Syarikat dan Anggota Sekutunya (termasuk pentadbir gaji mereka masing-masing) akan mengambil langkah yang munasabah untuk memastikan data peribadi tersebut terus dilindungi dengan sewajarnya dan disimpan secara selamat. Walaubagaimanapun, dengan menerima Opsyen yang diberi di sini, Penerima Opsyen mengakui bahawa maklumat peribadinya berkemungkinan akan dipindahkan ke bidang kuasa yang tidak mempunyai perlindungan yang sama dengan bidang kuasa di mana Penerima Opsyen menetap. Penerima Opsyen memahami bahawa dia boleh meminta senarai nama dan alamat individu-individu yang berkemungkinan menerima data peribadinya dengan menghubungi wakil sumber manusia tempatannya. Penerima Opsyen memberi izin kepada individu-individu yang disenaraikan dalam senarai tersebut untuk menerima, memiliki, menggunakan, menyimpan dan memindahkan data peribadi Penerima Opsyen, sama ada dalam bentuk elektronik atau bentuk lain, untuk tujuan pelaksanaan, pentadbiran dan pengurusan penglibatan Penerima Opsyen dalam Pelan, termasuk pemindahan data yang diperlukan tersebut kepada broker atau pihak ketiga yang dipilih oleh Penerima Opsyen untuk mendeposit apa-apa Saham yang diperoleh apabila menjalankan Opsyen in. Penerima Opsyen memahami bahawa data ini akan disimpan selama tempoh yang diperlukan untuk tujuan pelaksanakan, pentadbiran dan pengurusan penglibatan Penerima Opsyen dalam Pelan.

 

6  

To be included for applicable participants.

 

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(d) Penerima Opsyen boleh pada bila-bila masa melihat dan meminta pembetulan dibuat kepada data peribadinya, ataupun menarik balik persetujuannya yang dirujuk dalam Seksyen 5.6 ini dengan menghubungi Setiausaha Syarikat. Walaubagaimanapun, Penerima Opsyen memahami bahawa keenggannannya untuk memberi persetujuannya atau menarik balik persetujuannya berkemungkinan akan menjejaskan kelayakann untuk terlibat dalam Pelan ini. Untuk maklumat lanjut mengenai pemprosesan data peribadi, termasuk kesan sekiranya Penerima Opsyen enggan memberi persetujuannya atau menarik balik persetujuannya, Penerima Opsyen boleh menghubungi wakil sumber manusia tempatannya.

Anggota Sekutu ” dengan merujuk kepada mana-mana Pihak, bermaksud, (i) mana-mana Pihak lain secara langsung atau tidak mengawal, dikawal atau di bawah kawalan yang sama dengan Pihak tersebut dan mana-mana entiti yang, secara langsung atau tidak, dikawal oleh Pihak Syarikat dan (ii) mana-mana entiti lain yang Pihak tersebut mempunyai faedah ekuiti ketara atau mempunyai faedah ekuiti ketara dalam Pihak tersebut, sama ada dalam hal yang ditentukan oleh Jawatankuasa. Untuk tujuan definasi ini, istilah “kawalan” (termasuk kata korelatifnya, istilah-istilah “megawal”, “dikawal” dan “di bawah kawalan yang sama”) apabila diggunakan untuk merujuk kepada mana-mana Pihak, bermaksud pemilikan, secara langsung atau tidak, kuasa untuk mengarah atau menyebabkan arahan pihak pengurusan dan polisi Pihak tersebut, sama ada menerusi pemilikan sekuriti berundi, dengan contract atau sebaliknya. Tertakluk kepada proviso di atas, untuk tujuan apa-apa ISO, “Anggota Sekutu” bermaksud mana-mana perbadanan induk atau Anak Syarikat perbadanan pihak Syarikat sebagaimana istilah itu ditakrifkan dalam Seksyen 424(e) dan (f) masing-masing, dalam Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ;

Jawatankuasa ” bermaksud Jawatankuasa Kompensasi Lembaga (atau mana-mana anak jawatankuasa), atau mana-mana jawatankuasa Lembaga yang telah diberi kuasa mewakili oleh Lembaga mengikut peruntukan Pelan ini, kecuali dalam ketiadaan jawatankuasa ini, istilah jawankuasa” ini merujuk kepada Lembaga. Untuk mengelakkan keraguan, Lembaga diberi kuasa untuk bertindak sebagai Jawatankuasa pada setiap masa di bawah atau menurut peruntukan Pelan ini;

Pelan ” bermaksud Pelan Insentif Saham oleh SMART Global Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2017 Share Incentive Plan; dan

Penerima Opsyen ” bermaksud             [nama individu]            ;

Syarikat ” bermaksud SMART Global Holdings, Inc., perbadanan Cayman Islands yang dikecualikan.

 

Page 35 of 35

Exhibit 10.24

SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

c/o SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.

39870 Eureka Drive

Newark, California 94560

[●], 2017

Silver Lake Management Company III, L.L.C. &

Silver Lake Management Company Sumeru, L.L.C.

c/o Silver Lake

2775 Sand Hill Road

Menlo Park, California 94025

Re: Amended and Restated Transaction and Management Fee Agreement

In connection with the contemplated initial public offering (the “ IPO ”) of SMART Global Holdings, Inc., pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-217539) publicly filed on April 28, 2017 (as amended at the time it becomes effective, the “ Registration Statement ”), SMART Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (the “ Company ”) desires to terminate that certain Amended and Restated Transaction and Management Fee Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2016, by and among each of you and the Company (the “ Management Agreement ”) effective upon the consummation of the IPO (the “ Closing ”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Management Agreement.

Effective upon the Closing, the Management Agreement shall be terminated in accordance with its terms. Accordingly, the Company will continue to be bound by Section 8 of the Management Agreement, which states that notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth therein, (x) the expiration of the Term will not affect the obligations of the Company to pay, or cause to be paid, any amounts recorded but not yet paid as of the date of such expiration and (y) the provisions of Sections 4(c), 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 thereof will survive the expiration of the Term; provided , that the parties agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8 of the Management Agreement, the Company will record the Management Fee as quarterly expenses and it will be payable with respect to the 2017 calendar year only through Closing.

In addition, the parties agree that any amounts recorded through the Closing will not be due and payable until the date that is five (5) days following the payment in full of all amounts payable to the lenders under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement (as defined in the Registration Statement).

This letter agreement and all claims or causes of action (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this letter agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this letter agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this letter agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws, except that Cayman Islands law shall apply in respect of any mandatory provision of Cayman Islands corporate law.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

 


This letter agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement.

 

Very truly yours,
SMART WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

                          

Name:  
Title:  


Acknowledged and agreed as of the first date set forth above:
SILVER LAKE MANAGEMENT
COMPANY III, L.L.C.
By:  

                          

Name:  
Title:  
SILVER LAKE MANAGEMENT
COMPANY SUMERU III, L.L.C.
By:  

                              

Name:  
Title:  

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No. 333-217539 of our report dated November 29, 2016 (May 11, 2017 as to Note 1(y)), relating to the financial statements of SMART Global Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries appearing in the Prospectus, which is a part of such Registration Statement, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

San Jose, California

May 19, 2017